Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Winners of The Night Giveaway


Thanks again to Allison and Hatchett Books for allowing me to host this giveaway. There were 5 copies available but only 4 entries qualified. Remember to leave your email address!!!

The winners are....

codiegates@....
lscho4jm@...
alipet813@...
nazatraz@...

Congrats for being my first contest giveaway winners!! Be sure to email me your complete mailing address no later than July 3!!!


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Nothing But Ghosts Book Party...WOW!!!!

Tonight I was able to participate in my first ever book party!! IT WAS SOOOOOO MUCH FUN!!!! Thanks to Amy at My Friend Amy for hosting Beth Kephart, author of Nothing But Ghosts and 9 other novels.

It was great being able to interact with this author. I'm still waiting for my copy of Nothing But Ghosts but after talking to her tonight, as soon as I get it, I might just have to rip it open and begin reading it no matter what else is going on!!!

Amy is really trying hard to get people interested in this author. Amy is a bit of a fan and because of her love for Ms. Kephart, Amy is giving away prizes to those who choose to purchase a copy of Nothing But Ghosts and send her a receipt showing so. At certain increments, Amy is giving away great gifts from Amazon gift cards, to books, to items made by Amy herself. I think this is overly gracious of Amy to do this for one of her favorite authors!!

In order to help out with this effort of getting 200 books sold by July 3, anyone who purchases a copy of Nothing But Ghosts will get a free entry into one of my giveaways. All you have to do is email me (and AMY!!!) a copy of your receipt, along with your email address, and which giveaway you would like an extra entry into. Last I heard, only 47 copies had been purchased since Amy announced that she would like to do this. You can go to Beth's blog and see trailers for the books she has written. Here is the one for Nothing But Ghosts.



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Teaser Tuesday


Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading.

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

Grab your current read.Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

This week's teaser comes from Eragon by Christopher Paolini.

Doubt beseiged him. It would be such a wild, desperate thing to do. Contempt for his indecision rose, and a harsh smile danced on his lips. Saphira was right. Nothing mattered anymore except for the act itself.

Please avoid spoilers!


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Sunday, June 28, 2009

Mailbox Monday


Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page each Monday so that other book lovers and bloggers can see and comment on what's in the mailbox. Thanks Marcia for a great way of posting our new (or new to us) books!!

Have you read a book on my list? Please comment on it. It's possible I will use your comment and link back to you when I post my review of a particular book!

Here's what was in my box this week:

King Raven Trilogy: Book I
Robin Hood: The Legend Begins Anew
For centuries, the legend of Robin Hood and his band of thieves has captivated the imagination. Now the familiar tale takes on new life, fresh meaning, and an unexpected setting.

Hunted like an animal by Norman invaders, Bran ap Brychan, heir to the throne Elfael, has abandoned his father's kingdom and fled to the greenwood. There, in the primeval forest of the Welsh borders, danger surrounds him—for this woodland is a living, breathing entity with mysterious powers and secrets, and Bran must find a way to make it his own if he is to survive.

Like the forest itself, Hood is deep, dark, and at times savagely brutal—yet full of enchantment and hope. Internationally-acclaimed author Stephen R. Lawhead has created a lyrical rendering of a time-honored story that will lead you down strange pathways into another time and place.



I know several of you have already read this. Please comment and leave your link so I can reference back to you when I write my post! :)

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Book Review: Love Waits by Donald James Parker

Love Waits Love Waits by Donald James Parker


My review


This was the first e-book I've ever read. I was amazed at how much slower I read this book than I probably would have had I been holding a hard copy in my hands. It took me about 4 days to read what I should have read in about a couple of hours.



This book is the story of Cheri, a young girl who is moved away from Nebraska and everything she knows by her single-parent dad. Cheri has had her share of heartaches and heartbreaks in life and this move sure didn't help her out. However, along the way, Cheri meets her next door neighbor Jean and things start to look a little better. See, Cheri didn't *want* to meet Jean and hang out with her...she's old enough to be her grandmother. But with Cheri home alone while her dad is out working, her dad thought it best that she have a chaperon, especially after he saw her walking home from Duke's house one day.



Lots of things are going on in Cheri's life, just like any other hormonal teenager. She learns many valuable life lessons and joins the local youth group. It's there that she learns the value of saving oneself for marriage and where a chastity pledge is taken.



I liked this book and I didn't like this book. It was very easy to read (and would have been faster for me if it was a hard copy) and focuses on what many teenagers (and adults) face today...human sexuality and it's urges. The storyline in and of itself is very straightforward and what today's society needs to know and learn about....especially our teenagers! The parts of this book that disturbed me is that the author and I have some obvious differences in religion and religious thoughts. This is the first "christian fiction" book that I have read where a specific religion was mentioned and elaborated on. I do not believe in this religion and for that reason, could not in good conscious, recommend this book to anyone. I was also a little taken aback by the use of strong language in a book that is considered to be "christian". However, I think that the author may have been trying to make the book as true to the nature of teenagers as possible. A small warning at the beginning of the book would have been appropriate.



I will add that I think my favorite character in this book is Judy. I immediately got a picture of someone named Judy that I know and that seemed to fit this description. As mean as Judy was in the book, I couldn't help but laugh at some of the things she said/did because of the image I had put onto her. I felt sorry for Judy throughout the book, regardless of what she chose to do. I guess in some ways, Judy reminded me of myself at one point in my life.



Another thing that struck me from reading this book is that I'm not sure I've ever read a book that was almost straight dialogue. At first I didn't like it, but the more I read, the more I appreciated the straight up story. The characters described the setting well in their conversations and I was alright with that. This was just a little different than I had expected when I first started reading it.




View all my reviews.

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I'm Honored to Have Received My First Blog Award!!!

I'm very surprised and honored to learn earlier this evening that I have won my first blog award!! A huge thanks to Jessica at A Book Lover's Diary for the honor!!




"The Humane Award is in order to honor certain bloggers that I feel are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn’t for them, my site would just be an ordinary book review blog. Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. I thank them and look forward to our growing friendships through the blog world.”

My 10 nominations:

  1. Margaret at Creative Madness That Makes Me Myself without her, I wouldn't be book blogging!
  2. Amy at My Friend Amy I have just learned of Amy and I just think she's pretty cool!
  3. Avily at Avily Jerome for keeping me entertained with her fantastic stories.
  4. Becky at Becky's Book Reviews won me with her blog tour post for Darkwood concerning evil uncles.
  5. Becky at A Christian Worldview of Fiction for taking a chance on me and letting me join in a blog tour. I hope I did Vanish justice.
  6. Jessica at DuleyBug for being downright hilarious...all the time!
  7. Jeri at Jerri's Place for your creative pieces of work and putting me in awe over your handiwork. Maybe someday you can teach me to do what you do!
  8. Amanda at Random Thoughts of a Singleton for your daily thoughts! Keeps me in line and smilin'!
  9. Wendi at Wendi's Book Corner for great book recommendations and giveaways!
  10. Kelsey at Life's Abstract World for being a great student who pushes me in so many ways each and every day. When I grow up, I want to be like you! LOL


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Saturday, June 27, 2009

A New Blog To Check Out

I would like to take a minute to ask you to go visit a new blog. This blog owner is a student of mine who is an exceptional writer and performer. She had to turn in a portfolio for me this past year and she absolutely blew me away with her resume alone. If you want to see some up and coming talent, please go and visit Life's Abstract World and show her some blogging love!
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Friday, June 26, 2009

Now Introducing...

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Patricia Neely Dorsey's Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems is "a true celebration of the south and things southern." The author states , "There are so many negative connotations associated with Mississippi and the south in general. In my book, using childhood memories, personal thoughts and dreams, I attempt to give a positive glimpse into the southern way of life. In my book I try to show that there is much is more to Mississippi and the south than all of the negatives usually portrayed .I invite readers to Meet Mississippi (and the south) Through Poetry ,Prose and The Written Word."
SOUTHERN LIFE
If you want a glimpse of Southern life,
Come close and walk with me;
I'll tell you all the simple things,
That you are sure to see.
You'll see mockingbirds and bumblebees,
Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees,
Caterpillars on the step,
Wooden porches cleanly swept;
Watermelons on the vine,
Strong majestic Georgia pines;
Rocking chairs and front yard swings,
Junebugs flying on a string;
Turnip greens and hot cornbread,
Coleslaw and barbecue;
Fried okra, fried corn, fried green tomatoes,
Fried pies and pickles too.
There's ice cold tea that's syrupy sweet,
And cool, green grass beneath your feet;
Catfish nipping in the lake,
And fresh young boys on the make.
You'll see all these things
And much, much more,
In a way of life that I adore.
Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey
from Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life In Poems


BOOK AVAILABLE: www.reeds.ms/book.asp
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Book Drive: Nothing But Ghosts


Amy over at My Friend Amy is doing a very gracious thing to help out author Beth Kephart. I'm hoping you will help out too!!! The goal is to sell 200 copies of Nothing But Ghosts by June 30. If that goal is met, Amy will choose a lucky winner for an Amazon giftcard. Now, who couldn't use a giftcard to Amazon?!?!? I encourage you to spend $12.23 on this book, send your receipt to mypalamy[at]gmail[dot]com and then go visit Amy's blog and leave her a comment. She has written a great review on the book and I can hardly wait until mine comes so I can read it. I ordered mine on 6/24 and expect it to arrive shortly. Another thing I'll add here is that I've not met Amy personally. However, she reads and reviews A LOT of books. The ones I read that she has written recommendations on are pretty much spot on with what she says. She knows how to review a book adequately!!

There will also be a live chat with Beth Kephart on Tuesday, June 30 at 9PM PST/6PM EST over at Amy's blog. That will earn you another chance at the drawing for the giftcard if enough books are sold.

If you choose to participate, please send me a copy of your receipt as well and it will earn you another entry into one of my giveaways. After you email your receipt, please stop back here and leave a comment as to which book you would like your additional entry to count towards.


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Thursday, June 25, 2009

Thursday Thunks

Welcome to the June 24th version of Thursday Thunks!
(which we always seem to post on Wednesday)
Where we make you think a little bit before you blog!
This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by Berleen, the number 1559 and the color calico.

1. Someone knocks at your door. You answer it. It's a kid from the local school selling candy bars for a fundraiser. Do you buy one?
No, only because I'm on a strict diet and candy bars are not on them. If it was a worthy cause, I'd make a donation and let him keep the candy bar.

2. The end of the world is tomorrow and you are out of milk - do you go buy some?
Why would I need milk if tomorrow is the end of the world? Unless, of course, I get to have breakfast first.

3. Have you ever picked up the phone and called someone that you hadn't talked to in years?
A few times actually...one of those conversations that can go one of two ways...you talk for hours on end or it's filled with a lot of awkward silence or "ums".

4. Whats on your computer desktop background?
A picture of my parents taken at Christmas.

5. What was the very first movie you saw in a movie theater?
I think it might have been Sweet Dreams. If it wasn't that, I'd have to say Jungle Book.

6. If you had to take a 10th grade science test, do you think you would pass?
Yep, I sure do think I would pass it. Especially since it would be Biology and I'm pretty good at that.

7. Describe heaven.
It's indescribable. No words that I could ever write would be accurate enough or even close to a description.

8. Has a place that you lived ever been infested with some sort of insect or rodent?
We've had critters from time to time but I wouldn't say infested. I'm not a fan of creepy crawlies or furry critters so I try to get the problem taken care of asap.

9. When you were a youngin', did you hide in the clothes racks at department stores?
I'm not sure....my mom would have to answer this one.

10. Is there anything in your vehicle that is broken?
Hopefully not now considering I just paid $3200 for a new transmission, engine block, and wheel bearings!!!

11. What is something in your house that people would be surprise to find?
No clue...I'd probably be surprised about a few things...

12. Do you agree with the death penalty?
I'm still not sure about this one...it might depend on the crime.

13. Whats your favorite type of bear?
I think polar bears are cute but I wouldn't want one as a pet!

14. Where was the last place you went?
To the refrigerator to get another bottle of water.

15. What if that person knocking at your door earlier was an adult selling candy bars... would you buy one?
Again, no, and I would still give a donation if it was for a worthy cause. They can keep the candy bars!!

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Book Review: Trail to Justice by Susan Page Davis

Trail to Justice tells the story of Ruby, an avid horse rider, and Chuck, the local veterinarian. There's a 100 mile horseback ride coming up that Ruby wants to enter and Chuck just so happens to want to do it as well. Ruby works with her horse daily until and accident occurs that sends Chuck out to her farm. Was it more than just friendship? Was he just a little too nice for a professional visit?

The day of the ride was quite an exciting one and a day that Ruby and Chuck will not forget.

I enjoyed this book so much that I read it in about 3 hours. While it was pretty intense, I was hoping the end wouldn't come too soon.

I seem to be a sucker for books involving horses lately. I have always wanted a horse of my own and reading books about them is not helping the desire to go away.

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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Book Review: Critical Care by Candace Calvert

Critical Care (Mercy Hospital) Critical Care by Candace Calvert


My review


rating: 5 of 5 stars
You know you're an ER nurse when:

1. You're never late for work, in fact you come in 20 minutes early (see #2)

2. You are vigilant and diligent in making sure everything is stocked before your shift starts.

3. You can handle seeing an overwhelming amount of tragedy in one day.

4. You are addicted to coffee and/or diet coke and you're an incredible multi-tasker.

5. You believe in standing up for what is right, even it you have to stand up to the doctor barking orders at you.

6. You care more for your patients than for yourself.

7. You see yourself as a rock...nothing can affect you.

8. You learn to live without lunch and bathroom breaks.

9. You despise critical incident teams coming in to counsel you when they weren't there to see what you saw. Remember, you're a rock.

10. You work for Dr. McSnarley.



I really, really, really enjoyed this book!!! Coming from a nursing background, I understood a lot of the emotions covered in this book. I've been through the horrible shifts, losing patients, long hours with no lunch or bathroom breaks, Dr. McSnarleys...yet it is so rewarding!!



At first I was afraid this might be a book much similar to an episode of House or ER but it wasn't. I don't watch medical shows because they don't "get it right". Mrs. Calvert relied on her medical background to accurately describe the goings-on in an ER. It was written as if you were standing right there, looking onto the gurney, smelling the smells, hearing the beeps, blips, whirs, and stirs. I had a very hard time putting this one down and I look forward to other books to come in this series.



Claire just took on a job at Mercy Hospital and had her eye on the new Clinical Educator position. She was definitely qualified and on top of that, she was trained in critical incident stress management.



Erin is the top notch charge nurse who really cares for her staff. She works just as hard as they do on top of organizing Faith QD and a variety of fundraisers for the hospital.



Sara is a work horse and Erin's right hand. Sara is always early to work, meticulously checking to make sure all the equipment is in stock and functioning properly. She's a rock and is one of the most dependable nurses in the ER.



Then, well, there always has to be at least one...Dr. McSnarley...oh, pardon me, I mean Dr. Caldwell (Coldwell?). There's a complaint file on him a mile wide with the Chief of Staff but Dr. McSnarley is such a competent doctor that no one dares to get rid of him.



There's a horrible tragedy in the ER one day that brings all these people together...and changes lives forever. Through mutual sharing of woes, laughing, crying, and oh yeah, that much NOT needed critical incident stress management, the reader can see how taking care of oneself really is Critical Care. Just how do they do it? Well, you'll have to read it to see. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!


View all my reviews.



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Book Giveaway: My Name is Will by Jess Winfield

Thanks to Valerie and Hatchett Books, I have 5 copies of My Name is Will by Jess Winfield to give away. Contest is open from June 24 to July 24.

Book Information:

A Tale of two Shakespeares...

Struggling UC Santa Cruz grad student Willie Shakespeare Greenberg is trying to write his thesis about the Bard. Kind of...

Cut off by his father for laziness, and desperate for dough, Willie agrees to deliver a single giant, psychedelic mushroom to a mysterious collector, making himself an unwitting target in Ronald Reagan's War on Drugs.

Meanwhile, would-be playwright (and oppressed Catholic) William Shakespeare is eighteen years old and stuck teaching Latin in the boondocks of Stratford-upon-Avon. The future Bard's life is turned upside down when a stranger entrusts him with a sacred relic from Rome... This, at a time when adherents of the "Old Faith" are being hanged, drawn, and quartered as traitors.

Seemingly separated in time and place, the lives of Willie and William begin to intersect in curious ways, from harrowing encounters with the law (and a few ex-girlfriends) to dubious experiments with mind-altering substances. Their misadventures could be dismissed as youthful folly. But wise or foolish, the bold choices they make will shape not only the 'Shakespeare' each is destined to come... but the very course of history itself.

Contest Rules:
To enter, respond with your favorite work by Shakespeare.

Rules:
1. Please include your email address, so that I can contact you if you win. You will have 3 days to respond to the email.
2. For an extra entry, sign up to be a follower. If you're already a follower, let me know and you'll get the extra entry as well.
3. For another extra entry, subscribe via googlereader or blogger or by email and let me know that you do.
4. For another entry, blog about this giveaway and send me the link.
5. For another entry, Tweet repost @faithfulgirl Great Night Gardener Giveaway! Head on over to http://molcotw.blogspot.com to enter.
6. For another entry, enter to win another of my giveaways and tell me that you have entered by leaving a comment here as to which one.
7. Leave a separate comment for each entry or you'll only be entered once.

The contest is limited to US and Canada only. No P.O. boxes. The contest ends at midnight EST on June 30, 2009. Only one title per winning household will be awarded.

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Book Giveaway: Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons



Thanks to Valerie and Hatchett Books, I'm hosting another giveaway. Contest is open from June 24 to July 24. I have 5 copies of Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons to give away.

A Glimpse Into the Book...
There were seven of us at Edgewater that summer, if you count my brother Jeebs. None of us did, really. Jeebs was thirteen and gone into another orbit of his own; he entered ours only when he had nothing else to do, and then grudgingly.

That left Harriet Randall, aged eleven; Ben and Carolyn Forrest, who were twins, aged ten; Cecie Wentworth, aged eleven; Peter Cornish, aged twelve; and Joby Gardiner, eleven. And of course, me. Elizabeth Allen Constable but called, by my own creed, Lilly and nothing else. I was eleven that summer of 1962 and stonily determined not to be confused with my mother, who was Elizabeth, too.

My mother: Elizabeth Potter Constable; painter, activist (in her own words), great beauty. She was sporadic and only adequate at the first two, but at the third she was spectacularly successful. Turned heads followed Liz Constable wherever she went.

It was the apogee of the frenzied Jackie Kennedy mythology, and even up here in this rural saltmeadow world almost untouched by fashion for a century, women wore their hair in carefully tousled bouffants and put on crisp white sleeveless blouses and Bermuda shorts to go to the post office or general store (which were one and the same). The yacht club cocktail-and-chowder suppers looked like a Norman Rockwell magazine cover of an idyllic girls' camp. Into the middle of all the matched Lilly Pulitzer wrap skirts and T-shirts, the huge sunglasses pushed casually above foreheads to form chic headbands, my mother would drift barefoot like an idle racing sloop, her hair in its uncombed little Greek-boy tousle of curls, her white pants smeared with paint, the striped French matelot T-shirt she had affected since a trip to Cannes when she was sixteen daubed with it. There would not be a vestige of makeup on her pure medieval features, only a flush of sunburn on her high cheekbones and a slick of Chap Stick on her full, tender mouth—a Piero della Francesca mouth, according to Brooks Burns, two cottages down, who was a classical scholar and eighty years old, and had been in love with my mother, according to my father, since she came here as a bride.

"Eyes like summer rain on the ocean," he would say. "Eyes like clear pond ice."

"Eyes like a frozen February crust over Eggemoggin Reach," I might have added, "especially when those black brows come together over them."

But I doubted that anyone but my father and Jeebs and I had seen that. My mother's brows were two silky black slashes set straight over her eyes, which were clear, light-spilling gray and fringed with black lashes. With her sun-streaked copper curls they were striking; you expected slender sienna arches. I had those brows, I was often told, and the gray eyes, too, but even to me they often looked stormy and sulky instead of mythic. I had seen my mother, in her studio just before she came out to join us for an evening, slick her eyebrows with some sort of cream, and lightly redden her cheeks, and finger-tousle her hair before the old seashell mirror that hung beside the studio door. Once or twice I saw her daub a sunset smear on her cheek or forehead, or stain her shirt lightly with it. The result was a careless beauty seemingly preoccupied with things more important than her looks. It served her well.

I spied on my mother shamelessly during the summer. I'm still not quite sure why. I think I was looking for revelations, epiphanies, a map for knowing where the real woman and mother lay. It seemed that if I found it, I would have the map for myself, could chart a course by it. But I never did, and after that summer I did not spy on her again. Instead, I set about trying to become the direct antithesis of the woman in her mirror. It got me in endless trouble with her, though not so much with my father.

To read the remainder of the first chapter, click here.

Contest Rules
To enter, respond with the story of where/how you met your significant other. If you don't have a significant other, tell me where you hope to meet him/her.

Rules:
1. Please include your email address, so that I can contact you if you win. You will have 3 days to respond to the email.
2. For an extra entry, sign up to be a follower. If you're already a follower, let me know and you'll get the extra entry as well.
3. For another extra entry, subscribe via googlereader or blogger or by email and let me know that you do.
4. For another entry, blog about this giveaway and send me the link.
5. For another entry, Tweet about it @faithfulgirl
6. Leave a separate comment for each entry or you'll only be entered once.

The contest is limited to US and Canada only. No P.O. boxes. The contest ends at midnight EST on July 24, 2009. Only one title per winning household will be awarded.


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Book Review: Author Spotlight Darkwood by M.E. Breen



This is M.E. Breen's first novel. I suspect there will be more to follow!

M.E. Breen grew up with dogs, cats, newts, turtles, rabbits and rats in the woolly hills of Berkeley, California. She now lives by the ocean in San Francisco.

To purchase a copy of this book, visit here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1599902591

Here are some other bloggers talking about Darkwood:


A Patchwork of Books, Abby the Librarian, All About Children’s Books, Becky’s Book Reviews, Cafe of Dreams, Dolce Bellezza, Hyperbole, KidzBookBuzz.com, Never Jam Today, My Utopia, Through a Child’s Eyes, Through the Looking Glass Reviews

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Wonderful Women of Wednesday



This week's Wonderful Woman is someone who I enjoy hanging out with! Priscilla and I met "accidentally" at an Advocare mixer one night and we were supposed to already be friends according to the sponsors of the mixer. We hadn't ever met before then but now we are good friends. Priscilla inspires me to live a healthier life. She is my friend as well as Advocare coach. The above picture shows Priscilla before Advocare...if you scroll down a little more, this is what she looked like 6 months after starting Advocare...and today, well, she just looks awesome!

She is a very caring wife, mother, and teacher. She holds the attention of gifted middle schoolers every day teaching them math and science concepts. Her students love her and she loves what she does.

Anytime I'm having a bad day I know I can pick up the phone and give "P" a call. She always has something witty to say and she's brutally honest, which is the one thing I appreciate most from her. When I ask her if I'm fat, she gives me the "yeah you are look" along with a snarky comment and I know it's time to get back on the wagon. I really appreciate that from her! She's awesome and very deserving of this week's spotlight.






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Book Review: Author Spotlight on Vanish by Tom Pawlik

Today is the last day of the Vanish book tour sponsored by the Christian Fiction
and Fantasy Blog. Many thanks again to Becky, Tyndale House and, of course, Mr. Tom Pawlik, for providing such a great tour.
Today, I wanted to take a few minutes to introduce you to the man behind this great book! Tom Pawlik has a BA in communication and works in the marketing field. He has also been active in Christian teaching, youth work, and music for over 20 years. His first novel, The Way Back, took second place in the 2004 Operation First Novel contest run by the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild, in association with Tyndale House Publishers. His second novel, Vanish, won first place in the 2006 contest. In addition to writing fiction, Tom is also an accomplished songwriter and musician who writes and records at his home studio. He and his wife, Colette, live in Ohio with their four children and one large dog.

As you can see from his bio, Mr. Pawlik is a very accomplished man! It's super neat to see him win 2nd place with his first novel to go on to win first place just two years later! I feel it represents his dedication to his craft and it shows in his novel.

I'm very excited for his newest title, Valley of the Shadow and I intend on reading it soon.

You may purchase a copy of Vanish here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1414318936 and Valley of the Shadow here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1414326793

You may also be interested in visiting the website and blog of our featured author here http://www.tompawlik.com/ and here http://www.tompawlik.com/blog.htm

Be sure to visit with these other reviewers and check out what they have to say...

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Keanan Brand
Grace Bridges
Karri Compton
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Alex Field
Beth Goddard
Todd Michael Greene
Ryan Heart
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Margaret
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Donita K. Paul
Epic Rat
Steve Rice
Crista Richey
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Speculative Faith
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler

Until next tour...happy reading!!


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Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Book Giveaway: The Night Gardener by George Pelecanos


Thanks to Valerie and Hatchett Books, I'm hosting my first giveaway. Contest is open from June 23 to June 30. I have 5 copies of The Night Gardener by George Pelecanos to give away.

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Pelecanos (Drama City) delivers a dignified, character-driven epic that succeeds as both literary novel and page-turner. In 1985, the body of a 14-year-old girl turns up in a Washington, D.C., park, the latest in a series of murders by a killer the media dub "The Night Gardener." T.C. Cook, the aging detective on the case, works with a quiet, almost monomaniacal, focus. Also involved are two young uniformed cops, Gus Ramone, who's diligent, conscientious and unimpressed by heroics, and Dan "Doc" Holiday, an adrenaline junkie who's decidedly less straight.

Fast forward 20 years. Detective Ramone, now married with kids of his own, investigates the murder of one of his teenage son's friends. The homicide closely resembles the earlier unsolved Night Gardener murders. Holiday, now an alcoholic chauffeur and bodyguard, follows the case on his own and tracks down Cook, long retired but still obsessed with the original murders. While the three work together toward a suspenseful ending, Pelecanos emphasizes the fallacy of "solving" a murder and explores the ripple effects of violent crime on society.

Contest Rules:
To enter, respond with the title and author of your favorite mystery book.

Rules:
1. Please include your email address, so that I can contact you if you win. You will have 3 days to respond to the email. If you do not leave your email address, your entries will not count!!
2. For an extra entry, sign up to be a follower. If you're already a follower, let me know and you'll get the extra entry as well.
3. For another extra entry, subscribe via googlereader or blogger or by email and let me know that you do.
4. For another entry, blog about this giveaway and send me the link.
5. For another entry, Tweet repost @faithfulgirl Great Night Gardener Giveaway! Head on over to http://molcotw.blogspot.com to enter.
6. Leave a separate comment for each entry or you'll only be entered once.

The contest is limited to US and Canada only. No P.O. boxes. The contest ends at midnight EST on June 30, 2009. Only one title per winning household will be awarded.
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Book Review: My Thoughts on Darkwood by M.E. Breen

This is the debut novel by M.E. Breen. It is written for young adult readers, although more mature readers can appreciate this story as well.

Annie is being raised by her Aunt Prim and Uncle Jock since her parents' death. Her Uncle Jock is a little extreme...and VERY mean. Aunt Prim seems to be trapped in her relationship with this ogre. One night, a mysterious man shows up at her home and he and Uncle Jock make some sort of deal involving Annie. Instead of sticking around to find out what it is, she and her two cats take off into the darkness. When it's dark....it's dark...utterly dark...can't see your hand in front of you. Then, there's the kinderstalk...and they don't play games.

Along the way, Annie meets two kind women who take her in. Then there's the castle and the king and learning some deep dark family secrets. What will happen to change the course of Annie's life?

My thoughts: I had a difficult time getting into this book and I really don't know why. I didn't feel that the characters were fully developed, however the scenery was described beautifully. I was left with many questions, some of which were done purposely. I am fairly confident that a sequel is being planned. Overall, this book was enjoyable and I'll read the sequel when it comes out.

To purchase this book, you can visit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1599902591
The author's website is http://www.mebreen.com/

The first chapter of Darkwood can be read here: http://www.mebreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/darkwood_chapter_1.pdf

Tomorrow I'll focus on the author, M.E. Breen. While you are waiting, please be sure to visit these other fine reviews:
A Patchwork of Books, Abby the Librarian, All About Children’s Books, Becky’s Book Reviews, Cafe of Dreams, Dolce Bellezza, Hyperbole, KidzBookBuzz.com, Never Jam Today, My Utopia, Through a Child’s Eyes, Through the Looking Glass Reviews


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Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading.

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

Grab your current read.Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

Please avoid spoilers!

Claire bit her lip, and Logan knew she was trying not to laugh at him. He waited, half expecting her to beg off and say she had to go buy Smokey's toy or run a marathon before dark, that she'd already spent way too much time with him.

This is taken from Critical Care by Candace Calvert.



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Book Review and Thoughts: Vanish by Tom Pawlik


I want to take a moment to thank Tyndale House Publishing and Becky of Christian Fiction and Fantasy for this blog tour and for a review copy of this book. It is very much appreciated!! Also to Tom Pawlik for writing such a fantastic book. I look forward to more great reads from you!

I just absolutely LOVED this book! It definitely earns 5 out of 5 stars from me! This story starts out very quickly and covers the lives of 3 main characters and their reactions to the storm in their life. At first, I was having a hard time reading this book. Just like movies that I watch, I have a hard time following themes that skip back and forth. As soon as I realized the formatting of the book, I was in. There were many thoughts that stuck out to me about this book. I was desperately trying to figure out the alien connection. Where did everyone go? Tom Pawlik did an awesome job of writing the story line the way he did because I did not see this ending coming! I was reminded of the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, found in Luke 16:19-31. This book definitely had me thinking by the end and I realize that there are some storms in my life that I need to take care of...NOW. I am really looking forward to reading Valley of the Shadow!

This is Tom's second novel, but not the last. His new novel, Valley of the Shadow is now available for purchase here http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1414326793 as well as Vanish here http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1414318936

If you have a spare moment, stop by http://www.tyndale.com/authors/videoclips.asp?id=1090&vid=100 and view the trailer for Valley of the Shadows. You can also find it on Tom Pawlik's website http://www.tompawlik.com/index.htm and you'll also be treated to a trailer of Vanish.

Here you can read the first chapter of Vanish http://www.tompawlik.com/vanish.htm
Chapters 1-3 of Valley of the Shadow begin here: http://tompawlik.blogspot.com/2009/03/valley-of-shadow-chapter-1.html

Please take a few moments to visit other bloggers who are reviewing this book:
Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Keanan Brand
Grace Bridges
Karri Compton
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Alex Field
Beth Goddard
Todd Michael Greene
Ryan Heart
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Margaret
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Donita K. Paul
Epic Rat
Steve Rice
Crista Richey
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Speculative Faith
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler

Tomorrow, I'll have more information on Tom Pawlik, the author of this great book!

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Monday, June 22, 2009

Book Review: Darkwood by M. E. Breen


Darkwood is the debut book by M.E. Breen geared for young-adults.

Darkness falls so quickly in Howland its people have no word for evening. One minute the sky is light, the next minute it is black—an impenetrable, suffocating black, unlit by moon or stars. Then good people bar their doors, for fearsome kinderstalk leave the forest to prowl among the houses, looking for children to steal. Yet when Annie Trewitt overhears her uncle making terrible plans for her, she flees to the only place she’s sure he will not follow: the forest. Annie never expects to survive the night, but soon she finds neither the kinderstalk nor the people of Howland are what they first appear. Her journey will take her from the depths of the forest to the glittering halls of the palace—and ever closer to an evil darker and more vast than the night itself.


I have some blogging friends who are touring this book with The Childrens Book Blog Tour (which I am not a current member of, just supporting them) and would like for you to drop in and visit their reviews as well:

A Patchwork of Books

Abby the Librarian

All About Children’s Books

Becky’s Book Reviews

Cafe of Dreams

Dolce Bellezza

Hyperbole

KidzBookBuzz.com

Never Jam Today

My Utopia

Through a Child’s Eyes

Through the Looking Glass Reviews

Tomorrow I'll post my actual thoughts on this book, so please be sure to check back in!

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page each Monday so that other book lovers and bloggers can see and comment on what's in the mailbox. Thanks Marcia for a great way of posting our new (or new to us) books!!

Have you read a book on my list? Please comment on it. It's possible I will use your comment and link back to you when I post my review of a particular book!

Here's what was in my box this week:

  1. All I'll Ever Need
  2. Luthiel's Song: Dreams of the Ringed Vale
  3. Salty Like Blood
  4. Stainless Steel Hearts
  5. BoneMan's Daughters
  6. Critical Care
  7. Luthiel's Song: The War of Mists
  8. Perfect
What's in your box this week? Create your post, then add it to Mr. Linky below. Then leave a comment and I'll come visit your blog!!




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Book Review: Vanish by Tom Pawlik



Today is the first of three days on tour for Vanish, by Tom Pawlik. This blog tour is sponsored by the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Tour. I'm really excited about this tour because it is my first and hopefully not my last one!!

Already a fan of Vanish like I am? The sequel Valley of the Shadow is already available!

Vanish
Tom Pawlik
List Price: $12.99
Binding: Softcover
Page Count: 384
Trim Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4
ISBN: 978-1-4143-1893-6
CPC Sub Category: Suspense
Release Date: July 2008
Three strangers each encounter the same mysterious storm and awake the next day to find that everyone else has vanished. There's Conner Hayden, a successful but unscrupulous trial lawyer who has forsaken his family for his career; Helen Krause, a middle-aged model struggling to come to grips with her fading beauty; and Mitch Kent, an enterprising young mechanic unable to escape a past that still haunts him. Afraid and desperate for answers, their paths eventually cross and they discover they are being watched. Elusive and obscured in shadows, the "observers" are apparently forcing them to relive vivid hallucinations of events from their past. They discover a mute homeless boy in tattered clothing and believe he may hold the key to the mystery, but the "observers" soon become aggressive and the four are forced to flee. When the boy disappears, the four decide to head from Chicago to Washington, D.C., in search of answers...and more survivors. Winner of the 2006 operation first novel contest, Vanish is a nonstop suspense thriller in the vein of Ted Dekker.

Valley of the Shadow
Tom Pawlik
List Price: $12.99
Binding: Softcover
Page Count: 432
Trim Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4
ISBN: 978-1-4143-2679-5
CPC Sub Category: Suspense
Release Date: June 2009
Conner Hayden is certain he survived his near-death experience for a reason. He thinks it’s to save the life—and soul—of Mitch Kent. Mitch’s body remains on life support while his spirit is trapped with the old farmer Howard Bristol in the Interworld—a strange and dangerous dimension that Conner narrowly escaped during his brush with death in Pawlik’s award-winning debut novel, Vanish. Meanwhile, in the Interworld, Mitch receives a warning from a mysterious stranger: Howard is not who he appears to be, and Mitch must flee immediately. Pursued by Howard and a terrifying creature, Mitch soon learns the truth about what happened to him and that his only hope of survival lies at the very edge of the Interworld.

Back Cover Copy

Conner fought his way through the woods. Tendrils of mist curled around his legs like serpents seeking to pull him to the ground. But he had to keep going.
He had been here before.
He heard no voices this time. No ghostly whispers from the dark, save one. One single, moaning plea.
Help me!

A shadowy world between life and death, where your worst fears can become reality.
One man lingers on the threshold.
Another has escaped, but he didn’t come back alone.
And a third searches for answers as his nightmares draw him back.
Sometimes, to get to the truth, you have to walk through the valley.


I hope you will take a minute or two and tour with more CSFF reviewers:

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Keanan Brand
Grace Bridges
Karri Compton
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Alex Field
Beth Goddard
Todd Michael Greene
Ryan Heart
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Margaret
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Donita K. Paul
Epic Rat
Steve Rice
Crista Richey
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Speculative Faith
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler

Tomorrow I'll discuss my thoughts on the book and Wednesday I'll let you have a sneak peak of the first chapter of both books, along with some background information on Tom Pawlik. Please be sure to visit all three days!




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