Winner of 'Start Here; Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are' is....

The Random Number Generator has chosen the winner for 'Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are' by Alex and Brett Harris.


Drumroll, please............


The winner is 


Kathy at Sumballo


Congratulations, Kathy!  I will be making contact shortly to get your snail mail address!


If you'd like to order a copy, you can do so here!


Thanks to everyone who entered!

‘Scattered Petals: A Novel’ by Amanda Cabot – Book Review

Okay – I am back to saying ‘this is the first book I have read by this author’!  The latest book on my read list is ‘Scattered Petals: A Novel,’ Book Two in the ‘Texas Dreams’ series by acclaimed author Amanda Cabot.

The main character in this book, set in 1856 (five years before the U.S. Civil War), is Priscilla Morton.  Born in Boston, she and her parents are headed out to Texas to attend the wedding of her brother-in-law, Clay Canfield, who had been married to her sister Patience, who’d died the year before.  On the way there, their stagecoach was robbed by three brothers, and her parents were tragically murdered.  Priscilla was brutalized by one of the men; handsome Texas Ranger Lawrence Wood came upon the scene, rescued her, and took her to Clay’s ranch on his hardy steed. 

Priscilla immediately takes to Clay’s fiancée, Sarah, and her little sister Thea.  It was quite a comfort to her after her unfortunate loss. 

Lack of forgiveness for self is a prominent theme in this book.  Priscilla is angry at herself for strongly encouraging her parents to take on the adventure of venturing out to Texas for Clay’s wedding; what an unexpected outcome.  Another character in the book who struggles with this same thing is Zach Webster, who works with Clay on the ranch.  Zach has learned how to forgive others; it takes him a long time to forgive himself.

Ultimately, there is a lot of healing and love that takes place in this book.  All of the characters accepted the forgiveness that comes from God.

'Scattered Petals' is the second in the ‘Texas Dreams’ series; ‘Paper Roses’ is the first book.  This book stands on its own; it is not necessary to read ‘Paper Roses’ first.  In fact, Amanda states on her website: “My pet peeves include books where I feel like an outsider because I haven’t read them in the order they were written, so I’ve made sure you’ll enjoy the second and third stories even if you haven’t read Paper Roses.”  I do agree and appreciate that sentiment!

Amanda lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming with her husband.

You can order this book here.

This book was provided to me by Revell for review purposes.

‘The Lightkeeper’s Daughter: A Mercy Falls Novel’ by Colleen Coble – Book Review

Recently, I have opened several book reviews with this disclaimer: “This is the first book I have read by this author” - or words to that effect.  The same cannot be said for today’s book by author, Colleen Coble.  I have read several books from her pen/computer: ‘Abomination,’ ‘Anathema,’ ‘Without A Trace (Rock Harbor Series # 1),' ‘Beyond A Doubt (Rock Harbor Series #2)’ and ‘Into the Deep (Rock Harbor Series #3).’  I was entertained by all of them, and had high expectation for the latest by this prolific and talented writer.

‘The Lightkeeper’s Daughter: A Mercy Falls Novel’ did not disappoint!  The main character is Addie Sullivan, bright and beautiful.  As the title indicates, she lives in a lighthouse in northern California.  At the beginning of the book, a gentleman, Walter Driscoll, comes to the lighthouse to tell her she is not who she thinks she is.  She was involved in a shipwreck when she was two years old; her parents are not her own, but they recovered her after the shipwreck.  Her real father is actually a very rich business owner.  The gentleman (her uncle) decides to bring her back to the family, originally as the governess to her real-life nephew, Edward.  The idea is to investigate to find more evidence of her identity before presenting her as the daughter of Henry Eaton.

Another major character is Lieutenant John North, the dashing son-in-law of Henry and the father of Edward.  His wife – Addie’s half-sister – had been killed three years before – and sparks fly between her and John!

As usual, Colleen brings a faith-based character into the story; Addie is that character in this book.  She speaks of God, prays, etc… - actions that are downplayed by Henry.  Nonetheless, Addie is a very strong and courageous young woman, who is not swayed to the left or to the right by those around her – not even a wealthy and powerful man such as the man who may be her father!

The story is well-paced and suspenseful; Colleen does it again!  There are numerous twists and turns in this story; there is never a dull moment!  There were plots turns that I did not see coming.  Ultimately, the ending was happy! 

'The Lightkeeper's Daughter,' set in 1907, is a departure for Colleen; she usually writes modern suspense novels.  She did a wonderful job capturing life at the turn of the last century in a well-to-do household.  She can seemingly do no wrong; I have always thoroughly enjoyed every book I have read by her.  As always, I look forward to the next book by the talented Mrs. Coble!

You can order the book here.

This book was provided to me by Thomas Nelson Publishers for review purposes.

The New Living Translation Break Through to Clarity Bible Contest and Giveaway

I wanted to share with you a contest sponsored by Tyndale House!

The New Living Translation Break Through to Clarity Bible Contest and Giveaway

Visit Tyndale's Facebook New Living Translation page and click on the tab that says “Sweepstakes”

Fill out a simple form, take a quick Bible clarity survey, invite your friends to join and you’ll be entered to win one of our exciting prizes.

With each fan number milestone a new prize will be given away.

Grand Prize

Apple iPad 64G and a Life Application Study Bible

Awarded when the NLT Fan Page hits the fifth milestone

Retail Value: $829.00

2nd Prize  - Already awarded

32G iPod Touch and a Life Application Study Bible

Awarded when the NLT Fan Page hits the fourth milestone

Retail Value: $300.00

3rd Prize – Will be awarded when fan count hits: 3500

Kindle DX and a Life Application Study Bible

Awarded when the NLT Fan Page hits the third milestone

Retail Value: $489.00

4th Prize Will be awarded when fan count hits: TBD

Apple iPad 16G and a Life Application Study Bible

Awarded when the New Living Translation Fan Page hits the second milestone

Retail Value: $499.00

5th Prize Will be awarded when fan count hits: TBD

Apple iPad 32G and a Life Application Study Bible

Awarded when the NLT Fan Page hits the first milestone

Retail Value: $599.00

Prize Eligibility – Recently updated to include more countries

Sweepstakes participants and winner(s) can be U.S. residents of the 50 United States, or residents of any country that is NOT embargoed by the United States, but cannot be residents of Belgium, Norway, Sweden, or India.  In addition, participants and winner(s) must be at least 18 years old, as determined by the Company. 

Sweepstakes Starts

March 17, 2010 @ 10:24 am (PDT)

Sweepstakes Ends

April 30, 2010 @ 10:24 am (PDT)

Wait, there’s more!

Visit http://biblecontest.newlivingtranslation.com/index.php for a chance to win a trip for two to Hawaii!

Here are the details:

Choose one of six passages of Scripture from the New Living Translation and consider: 

How do these verses encourage you to know God better? 

What is God teaching you in this passage?

How does this passage apply to your life?

Submit your answer and you’ll be entered to win.

Just for signing up: Everybody Wins! Win a Free .mp3 download from the NLT’s new Red Letters Project. It’s the dynamic, new presentation of the sung and narrated words of the Gospel of Matthew. You win the download just for entering! Or choose to download the NLT Philippians Bible Study, complete with the Book of Philippians in the NLT.

Every day, one person will win the best-selling Life Application Study Bible!

The grand prize: One person will win a fantastic trip for two to the crystal clear waters of the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s North Shore in beautiful Hawaii.

Run on over and check it out!

‘Scared: A Novel on the Edge of the World’ by Tom Davis – Book Review

Tom Davis is the author of ‘Red Letters: Living a Faith That Bleeds,’ ‘Field of the Fatherless’ and ‘Confessions of a Good Christian Guy: The Secrets Men Keep and the Grace That Saves Them.’  He is the president and CEO of Children’s HopeChest, a Christian-based child-advocacy organization helping orphans trapped in poverty in Eastern Europe and Africa.  Tom and his wife, Emily, live in Colorado with their seven children, including two adopted from Russia.

Here is the book trailer for ‘Scared: A Novel on the Edge of the World’:

The main character in this novel is Stuart Daniels, a celebrated and award-winning photojournalist.  He has grown weary from seeing horrors all over the world.  And he has grown cynical over the way he earns a living.  As stated on the back of the book:

He is now reeling from debt, a broken marriage, and crippling depression.  The source of Stuart’s grief is his most famous photo: a snapshot of brutality in the dangerous Congo.  A haunting image that indicts him as a passive witness to gross injustice. 

His next assignment – which could make or break his career – sends him back to Africa to cover the AIDS crisis in Swaziland.  There, he meets an amazing young orphan named Adanna, who is fighting for survival in a ravaged and diseased community.  She has been transformed after a dream featuring an ‘illuminated man.’ 

It is an eye opener when we Americans are exposed to the poverty and corruption in these countries.  Those of us who live in the suburbs don’t generally see that sort of thing.  Tom shows us through the life of Adanna and her little brother and sister that children in those countries don’t worry about owning the latest gadget or seeing the newest movie – they are concerned about when they will eat their next meal – or even their next morsel.  I was saddened by the corruption exhibited by a so-called ‘relief agency’ and the brutality endured by innocent children and encouraged by the sheer joy of worship, all of which were portrayed in this novel.    

Tom’s characters are multi-dimensional, believable and engaging.  I was rooting for all of the good ones!  And he paints an elaborate and detailed landscape; I could easily picture each scene.  Even though I have never physically visited Africa, Tom certainly transported me there in this novel.  He is incredibly gifted in his wordsmithing and in conveying his heart of compassion for the least of these.

I was excited to see that Stuart’s experiences in Swaziland turned his heart back to God:

There is still much mystery, much that I don’t understand.  But one thing I do know: God is life and the giver of life. (p. 283)

Although this book is a work of fiction, many of the characters are based on actual people.  Stuart Daniels, for instance, is inspired by the life of Kevin Carter, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer who was so haunted by the images he saw in Sudan that he took his own life.  Adanna’s character is based on a real little girl that Tom encountered in an orphanage in Swaziland.  Despite her horrific life circumstances, she was full of joy.  The pastor of the church which Adanna attended, Pastor Walter, is the real name of a church planter who cares for hundreds of orphans in his community.      

Without giving away the end of the book, let’s just say that Stuart’s encounter with Adanna and the other believers in her circle have reopened his eyes to the truth of the gospel.  He returns to his New York City home a changed man.  And Adanna’s story also ends with good news.

‘Scared: A Novel on the Edge of the World’ is the first book in a series of three. His next novel is entitled ‘Priceless: A Novel on the Edge of the World.’  This novel will follow Stuart Daniels to Russia, where he will expose one of the most villainous and evil industries on the face of the earth, the child-sex slave trade; it will release in June 2010.  I look forward to reading the next chapter in the saga of Stuart Daniels; I will be reviewing and posting, so stay tuned!

You can order this book here.

This book was generously provided to me by Tom Davis.

‘Damaged Goods: An Autobiography’ by Charlotte D. Hunt – Book Review and Autographed Copy Giveaway

Have you ever received a Facebook Friend request from a person with whom you have no familiarity?  I usually write these people off – ignoring their request – without taking a look at their profile.  Instead, I learn what I can about them (such as whether we have mutual friends, etc…).  One person that requested my Facebook Friendship is Charlotte Hunt; I had no idea who she was!  I decided to accept her Friendship – and am so glad I did!  Among other admirable qualities, I found her to have the gift of encouragement; she was one of the most optimistic people I have ever encountered!  When I found out she had not had a perfect life (what a shock!) – and was still so joyful – I wanted to learn more!  I discovered she had written an autobiography; it was immediately added to my ‘Reading Wish List’!

‘Damaged Goods: An Autobiograpy’ is Charlotte’s story.  Here is the description on the back of the book:

Based on the author’s abusive childhood, turbulent past, and remarkable restorative journey, ‘Damaged Goods’ is an emotionally charged and ultimately uplifting journey of God’s invitation to recall and read her battle-scarred life through his plans.  During the telling of her journey to a mysterious stranger she discovers a legacy of hope, witnesses the perfect plans of God, and unlocks a life-changing secret from her past.

I try to read and review books in the order in which I receive them.  But I felt a ‘check in my spirit’ about reading Charlotte’s book too soon.  In the interim, the Lord had me process an exercise (in preparation for a women’s small group presentation) in which I wrote out ‘My Story.’  That happened about two weeks ago.  Then I felt I received ‘permission’ to proceed in reading Charlotte’s book.

What a revelation!  There were so many parallels in our journeys; it can only be a ‘God Thing’ that Charlotte and I were connected via Facebook!

Despite all of her trials, Charlotte has led a very accomplished life.  Here is her biography at the back of the book:

Charlotte D. Hunt is an author, Christian radio personality and counselor, vision casting facilitator, and favorite lecturer for district attorney offices, educators, addiction treatment programs, women’s shelters, and child advocacy centers.  She has been a national motivational and inspirational speaker for over two decades speaking with diverse audiences in the areas of childhood trauma and abuse, overcoming obstacles, women’s issues, personal and spiritual growth, impacting leadership, casting vision, and reclaiming lost dreams.

Here is Charlotte’s perspective on how her life was unfolding:

….God began my life with a strange and daunting plan that seemed cruel, unfair and illogical.  In the insanity of his plan, through my eyes, his choice was the opposite of what a loving and holy God would allow.  However, that plan would eventually bring an emotional and physical healing and restoration that could only be described as miraculous and as a joy, overwhelming love and passionate relationship with a Father that could be utterly undeniable.  Through his seemingly brutal plan, my life was forever changed and thousands of other’s lives have been greatly impacted.  That plan would require me to walk a journey through hell and back for a purpose that I would not realize until forty-three years later. (p. 35)

Charlotte became a Christian in high school.  Things did not go as she was led to believe:

…Based on the words of some older Christians, I expected to enter a pain-free, stress-free life and that Christ would stop all my lonely, shameful feelings and immediately give me a sense of sanity.  Looking back, after 27 years of living the Christian life and journeying with God, I can say without hesitation those people lied!  Although I did not understand the cause of my anger, depression, and feelings of worthlessness, I found out quickly that my expectations of having a reset button for my emotions and hurt did not come as part of the deal in accepting the Lord. (p. 72)

Charlotte went through many trials in her life, including sexual abuse, unhealthy relationships, an eating disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, control issues, and more.  She fell away from the Lord, but ultimately decided the Lord was the only way (a good decision!).  She struggled with thinking she had to be perfect and that her performance defined who she was as a person.  With the help of a counselor – and the Holy Spirit – she worked through many of these issues, and established a close relationship with her Savior:

My counselor’s simple exercise of confronting God was proving to be an introduction into a real and honest relationship with the Lord.  Similar to a human relationship, my love and depth with him came from his drawing of my heart into areas of conflict and exposure… I was learning that God was truly good and always did the best for me.  However, I was also learning that the road in moving toward intimacy and maturity in him was not safe.  (p. 94)

Charlotte recounts her relationship with her mother, who was very strong and controlling.  As Charlotte – and her mother – grew up, their relationship improved.  They came to a saving relationship with Jesus, which was a healing balm to both of them.  Madelyn ultimately succumbed to pancreatic cancer in August 2006.  Charlotte was able to spend the last few months with her – months which she recounts with great peace and joy.  She learned (as I did with my mother) that people can’t give away what they don’t have.  As Madelyn was loved by her Heavenly Father, she had that love to give to Charlotte.

Charlotte came to understand why the Lord asked her to write this book:

God placed a passion and a burden to move in the lives of the hurting and wounded.  He placed a passion in me to influence, encourage and exhort lives first toward the heart of Christ and second toward all God created them to be.  He placed a burden in me to let hurting people know that there is no past too broken or place too low that God cannot heal, redeem, and use for his glory, our good and the edification of others.  That was the plan from the start.  That plan and the miraculous level of ministry he continues to birth leave me breathless and humbled only because of remembering all that I experienced in believing, “Charlotte, God will never use you because you’re damaged goods.” (p. 150)

That last quote was what a pastor had told her at one of the first churches she visited after she became a Christian – and one reason why she walked away from the Lord in the first place.  God uses damaged goods – and He uses Charlotte on a daily basis.  I am grateful that she yields to His leading, and am blessed by her friendship. 

Charlotte is currently residing in Dallas.  I look forward to seeing the next adventure in which she embarks with the Lord!  I highly recommend ‘Damaged Good: An Autobiography’ to both the hurting and the healing and anyone who wants to know how the Lord can redeem a broken life.  She is a beautiful person inside and out, and I am privileged to call her my friend!

You can order this book here.

This book was generously provided to me by the author for review and giveaway purposes.

_____________________________________________________________________________

I have an autographed copy of this book that I would love to pass along to one of you!

There are several ways to gain entry:

1) Leave a comment here on the blog, telling me how you ‘dream madly – pursue wildly – trust completely!’  Please make sure to leave your email address in this format – sample[at]gmail[dot]com.

2) Follow me on Twitter; I will more than likely follow you back!  If you are already a Twitter follower, that counts, too!  Please leave a new comment to that effect.

3) Follow me as a Google Friend on this blog; if you are already a Friend, that counts, too!  Please leave a new comment to that effect.

4) Become my Facebook friend.  Please leave a new comment to that effect.

5) Follow this blog as a NetWorked Blog Follower after you’ve become my Facebook friend.  Please leave a new comment to that effect.

So there are five chances to enter!  Please limit one entry per option.

This give away is for U.S. residents only.  The deadline for entry is Monday, April 12, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST.  A winner will be chosen via the Random Number Generator on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 and will be contacted via email.  The best to all of you!

‘Believing God Day By Day: Growing Your Faith All Year Long’ by Beth Moore – Book Review

Beth Moore is one of my favorite Christian teachers.  Whenever she releases something new, I want to see it; her material is always biblically sound and of highest quality.

‘Believing God Day by Day: Growing Your Faith All Year Long’ fits that bill.  This book, based on her ‘Believing God’ book, is a devotional with a scripture verse and an inspiration message from Beth for each day of the year.

Here is an excerpt from the Introduction, in Beth’s inimitable style:

I got a brand new Bible for the journey and I meant to keep it that way.  I neglected it.  Fumbled it. Dropped it.  Opened it.  Yawned over it.  Whined over it.  Cried over it.  Begged God to help me with it.

Then slowly but surely, one discovery at a time.  I fell head over heels in love with it and with its brilliant Author.  I dug my fingernails into it and vowed never to let go.  I may have a junkyard of broken vows somewhere but, to the glory of God, that one is not in the heap.

There are 366 different devotionals – one for each day of the year, including February 29.  The book does not appear to have any particular themes. 

At random, here (in part) is what she shares for April 21:

Those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.  Romans 8:30

All of us who are believers in Christ have a calling.  I am convinced God assigns our callings for a host of reasons, many of which serve a purpose in us, not just in those we will serve.  God is the master of multitasking. 

This is a lovely book to give as a gift.  It is hardcover and has a padded front cover.  A ribbon in attached for use as a page I would highly recommend it – especially for those who admire Mrs. Moore!

You can order a copy of the book here.

This book was provided to me by B&H Publishing Group for review purposes.