Book Tour & Giveaway

I told you ladies that I'd have a great summer read giveaway this week and I'm excited to say here it is!

Never the Bride by Cheryl McKay & Rene Gutteridge

Publisher's Summary:

Jessie Stone has spent thirty-five years fantasizing about marriage proposals, wedding dresses, and falling in love. She’s been a bridesmaid eleven times, waved dozens of couples off to sunny honeymoons, and shopped in more department stores for half-price fondue pots than she cares to remember.

But shopping in the love-of-her-life department hasn't been quite as productive. The man she thought she would marry cheated on her. The crush she has on her best friend Blake is at very best…well, crushing. And speed dating has only churned out memorable horror stories.

So when God shows up one day, in the flesh, and becomes a walking, talking part of her life, Jessie is skeptical. What will it take to convince her that God has a better love story than one of the thousands she’s cooked up in her journals? Will she trust Him with her pen when it appears her dreams of being the bride are forever lost?A romantic comedy with a spiritual twist, Never the Bride is what it means to lose control—and getting more than any woman could ever imagine.

My thoughts: When I saw that Cheryl Mckay, who wrote the screenplay for one of my favorite movies ever, "The Ulitimate Gift" and Rene Gutteridge, who wrote the novelization of the same movie & the "Occupational Hazard Series" which I totally enjoyed as last summer's reads, teamed up to write this book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. And they didn't disappoint me. This is the perfect summer read.

At times laugh out loud funny, at times touching right to the core of the heart, it is a wonderful contemporary story of letting go of the anxiety of trying to control ones' life and surrendering to God's love and plan. The main character has a quirky sense of humor which I loved and the story totally spoke to me as I know someone going through this exact thing. There is a message in this story for every woman, married or not. This will definitely be a keeper on my bookshelf and will be reread by myself. I can hardly wait to get it to my oldest girl to read.

And guess what?! I have a brand spanking new copy to give away! Just leave me a comment and I'll draw a winner this Saturday June 20th. As usual, please make sure I can get ahold of you either through a blog link or email otherwise I'll have to redraw. You don't want to miss a chance at this book!

Book Tour & Giveaway ~ Clutter Free Christianity

Clutter-Free Christianity by Robert Jeffress

Publisher Summary
When did the Christian life become so complicated?

Your greatest desire is to please God, but with each passing week, your spiritual to-do list grows longer. As you strive to fulfill a never-ending inventory of requirements for being a godly parent, spouse, voter, employee, and more, you feel increasingly disconnected from the God you’re trying to serve.

It’s time to cut through the clutter and get to the heart of what it means to please God. In this liberating look at the core principles of faith, Dr. Robert Jeffress reveals the truth about what God really wants from you–and what He wants to do for you.

Through solid biblical teaching and practical insights, Dr. Jeffress points you toward a revitalized faith centered on becoming more like Jesus in action, attitude, and affection. You’ll learn how to partner with God in the process of spiritual transformation as you choose to follow Christ in forgiveness, obedience, trust, contentment, service, and prayer.
Through a renewed focus on experiencing the kingdom of God right now, you’ll find your to-do list shrinking and your spiritual life deepening. It all comes with embracing Clutter-Free Christianity.

Includes a Bible study guide for personal growth and group discussion.

Author Bio:
Dr. Robert Jeffress is the senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas, one of the most historic churches in the Southern Baptist Convention. The author of sixteen books, he is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition, live broadcasts of Dr. Jeffress’ weekly messages reach millions of listeners and viewers each week, while his daily sermon series airs on 1,100 television stations and cable systems nationwide. Dr. Jeffress and his wife, Amy, are the parents of two adult daughters.

My Thoughts: I was totally drawn to this book by the title. Who doesn't want a Christian life that is free to draw closer to God and to do what God is calling you to do and to be without a bunch of "stuff" cluttering it up and keeping one bound. This was definitely calling my name. While I'm only on chapter 3 I am totally getting immersed in the book. It's one of those where I grab a pencil and underline away. There has been so much already that I totally relate to or that I can relate to where I am at in my walk with the Lord. I usually find non-fiction study type books hard reading but this book is written in easily understood "everyperson's" language. A study guide at the back is good for individual use or in group studies.

And guess what? I have one to share! A brand new one even, not one I've underlined! :v) If you'd like a copy of Clutter-Free Christianity then leave a comment on this post. I'll leave it open until Sunday 9 p.m. MST. As usual, please leave a way to get ahold of you if you win, such as a link or email address. If I can't get a hold of you, you can't win, right?

You can also go here to purchase one. Available as ebook or trade paperback.

Valentine's Blog Tour & Book Giveaway

It's Valentine's and love is in the air. And what better way for a book lover to celebrate Valentine's than to be able to feature and give away 3 books that are all about love. I'm totally excited about all of these books. Read through the descriptions of each one and tell me in the comments which one (or ones) you'd like your name put in for. You can choose one or all three. I'll leave it open until 10 p.m. MST Friday the 13th and will post the winners Valentine's Day morning. Unfortunately, I can only do U.S. or Canadian postal addresses.




1. "I Do Again"


Summary:


With their professional success and adorable twin daughters, Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs looked like the perfect couple. But their polished facade concealed a widening chasm between two people unable to connect on an intimate, soul-deep level.
After years of frustration, Cheryl’s desire for emotional fulfillment led to an affair and, finally, divorce. Yet, incredibly, seven years later, Jeff and Cheryl once again stood at the altar, promising to “love, honor, and cherish” one another. A new and vibrant love had risen out of the ashes of this family’s pain.
I Do Again details the fascinating real-life story of a couple whose relationship seemed shattered beyond all hope until a spiritual awakening led them to reconsider their definitions of “happily ever after.” A riveting account of the power of prayer and redemption, this remarkable book offers renewed hope for even the most troubled marriages—and reveals why the rewards of restoration are well worth the wait.
Author Bio:
Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs are the founders of Hope Matters Marriage Ministries, and for the past several years they have shared their incredible story of a marriage restored with audiences across the nation. Jeff is an account manager with OshKosh B’Gosh, and Cheryl has served as director of the Frisco, Texas, office of the Center for Christian Counseling. They live in Dallas, Texas with their two college-age daughters.

My Take: I could not put this book down. I finished it in two days. Hence my missing in action from Blogland yesterday. The author's story completely grabbed my heart. I was riveted as I kept turning the pages as they described what happened in their marriage and the dissolving of it and how God moved powerfully in their individual lives until 7 years after their divorce, God restored their love for each other and put back together a broken home. Awesome story full of hope.

2. "Love as a Way of Life Devotional"



Summary:

In his book Love As a Way of Life, best-selling author Gary Chapman shows readers how to cultivate a new lifestyle built around the seven characteristics of authentic love. Now in a companion devotional, he provides ninety inspirational readings to help Christians consistently live out the characteristics of love in every relationship.
Each devotional entry showcases biblical truths that guide a life of love, offering fresh insight and practical guidance in how to make love a lasting habit. Over the course of three months, readers will learn to follow God’s lead as they practice the characteristics of a loving person: kindness, patience, forgiveness, courtesy, humility, generosity, and honesty.
The Love As a Way of Life Devotional makes an ideal gift for the holidays or for any special occasion. Couples, parents, new graduates, and anyone celebrating a milestone in life will welcome this inspiring daily guide to richer, more satisfying relationships.
Author Bio:
Dr. Gary Chapman is the author of twenty-six books, including the New York Times bestseller The Five Love Languages, with more than 4 million copies in print. His daily radio program, A Love Language Minute, is broadcast on more than 100 stations nationwide. Dr. Chapman, a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College, Wake-Forest University, and Southwestern Seminary, serves on a church staff in North Carolina.

My Take: Based on this book, which I absolutely loved, this is an easy to read everyday devotional that helps put the principles laid out in the book to practice. Short reads with scripture and thoughts, it takes God's widsom and encourages and inspires one to let love guide the way we respond to others.

3. "For Couples Only" Boxed Set

Summary:

Since their debut, these revolutionary guides have sold well over a million copies, been translated into fifteen languages, and sparked much fascinating water-cooler conversation around the country. Now together in the For Couples Only boxed set, these books provide the perfect resource to help you understand what you never knew about the woman or man in your life.
Each volume is based on input from more than a thousand members of the opposite sex—including an unprecedented nationwide survey and hundreds of personal interviews. This innovative approach yields candid and surprising answers about everything you don’t “get” about your significant other—even what that person deeply wishes you knew. It also produces simple but groundbreaking awareness of how you can best love and support the one who is most important to you. [Part of me wanted to make this paragraph past tense—yielded and produced—because of the first paragraph, but that took away some of the immediacy of what the books offer. I’ll leave that up to you.]
So whether you are newly dating or have been married fifty years, get ready to know each other in a whole new way. The adventure is just beginning!
Author Bio:
Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn hold graduate degrees from Harvard University and are popular national speakers, authors, and entrepreneurs. They are also active church members and the parents of two young children, and they enjoy every minute of living life at warp speed.

My Take: I have read every book in the "For Only" Series except the "For Men Only" (which is included in this set). And I will be reading that one too, just for fun. "For Women Only" was an absolute eye opener for me and really made me change that way I approached some things within my marriage. This is a boxed set of these two books.

AMAZON LINKS:

"I Do Again" here

"Love As A Way of Life Devotional" here

"For Couples Only" here

So there you are. All are awesome books about love. Don't forget I have to have some way to get ahold of you, either a link to a blog or an email address. If I can't reach you, you can't recieve one of them.

The First Winner of the Year Is...

Congratulations to Lori Anne.

A copy of "Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight" will be on it's way to you as soon as you contact me. Please do so by the end of this week or I will have to draw again. Thanks so much to all who entered. It was really nice to see some new names and faces in the comments. I wish I had a copy for everyone. If you are still interested in the book and would like to purchase a copy it is available here at Amazon.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

7

Timestamp: 2009-01-05 15:09:44 UTC

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To Give You a Hand With All Those New Years Goals

What a better way to start off the New Year than with a book giveaway! And what a better book to give away than one that hits on what we all think about on New Years. Changing things we don't like in our lives. This book gives you actions you can apply to any thing you want to change in your life. And it recognizes the fact it doesn't happen overnight.



Summary:
Every woman longs for change in some area of her life. Unfortunately, fear, fatigue, adversity, heartbreak, past failures, and even the choices of other people get in the way and make lasting change seem out of reach. Having been there herself, Karen Linamen knows exactly how to take readers from where they are to where they want to be.


In Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight, she examines 52 powerful actions readers can apply to any change they long to embrace. Her insights apply to career, finances, personal health and fitness, relationships, faith—in fact, every facet of a woman’s life.
Blending laugh-out-loud humor and sage advice, Linamen shows readers the link between dissatisfaction and transformation, how to remodel habits, the little-known truth about procrastination, how to generate the energy they need to pursue the life they desire, how to benefit from options and resources they never dreamed they had, and much, much more!



Author Bio:
Karen Linamen is a popular speaker and the celebrated author of ten books for women, including Due to Rising Energy Costs the Light at the End of the Tunnel Has Been Turned Off and Just Hand Over the Chocolate and No One Will Get Hurt. She has been featured on more than one hundred radio programs, including FamilyLife Today. Publishers Weekly describes her as “funny, forthright and unforgettable.” Linamen lives with her family in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Visit her website at http://www.karenlinamen.com/

If you'd like to win a copy of this book just leave me a comment and I'll make the draw on Monday morning January 5.

UPDATED TO ADD: Please make sure you leave a way to get ahold of you either through an email address or website. If I can't get ahold of you I can't let you know you've won which means I'll have to draw again!

And We Have A Winner!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

2
Timestamp: 2008-11-09 16:02:40 UTC

Congratulations to....

Faith from Gold in the Clouds

"Me, Myself and I AM" ~ Book Tour and Giveaway

A new experience of God comes one question at a time in this fun and provocative journal. Made up entirely of insightful, profound, and occasionally ridiculous questions, Me, Myself, and I AM invites you to open to any page, open yourself to God, and be the author of yourown story.

Questions range from spiritually intriguing—
You overhear God talking about you. What do hear him saying?

to thought-provoking—
You are on a long car trip with a close friend who is not a Christian and the conversation turns to faith. What is your biggest fear about what your friend will ask or say?

to challenging—
Do you believe that all of Jesus’s followers have a responsibility to tell others about him?

to just plain fun—
If your life before you became a Christian were a movie, its title would be:
Animal House
As Good as It Gets
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
It’s a Wonderful Life

Me, Myself, and I AM will entertain, inspire, and get you thinking about your spiritual life from brand new angles. Whether you use Me, Myself, and I AM as a reflective tool, a way to start conversations with friends and family, or as a spiritual time capsule to look back on years later, their own words will create a powerful journey of self-discovery.

This book would be a fun resource to start some interesting conversations with family and friends during the holidays or as a private thought provoking journal for yourself. If you'd like to win a copy, just leave me a comment answering the following question from the book: What are three words or phrases that describe you. Only those who answer and leave me a way to get ahold of you (email address or blog) have the opportunity to win. I'll make the draw on Saturday evening so I can get it into the mail right away for you.

To purchase this book you may go online at:

Amazon

ChristianBook.com and

Family Christian Stores

The Winner!

And the winner of the Shape of Mercy is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

7
Timestamp: 2008-10-22 15:16:49 UTC

Congratulations to Chris! Happy Reading!

To everyone else who entered, I truly wish I had a copy to give each of you! "The Shape of Mercy" really touched me and was a great read from beginning to end. I haven't really been able to get into my next book because I'm still thinking about it. Some books just do that to me. I have to put reading down a couple days while I internalize the story I just finished. That tells me it was a very good story when it can putting my reading on hold and cause me to mull it over while applying it to my own life. I love fiction like this.

I highly recommend reading this story. I know Amazon has it here. (Where it also got rave reviews, I might add.)

"The Shape of Mercy" - Book Tour and Giveaway

Okay, I promised you a great book giveaway today and here we go.

When asked to read and do the book tour for this story I was very excited. The story sounded so fascinating. Modern, wealthy young college student trying to get out of the privelaged family mold and expectations finds a job transcribing a 300 year old diary written by a young girl who was tried and hung at the Salem witch trials. Taking the job because she loves literature, but soon finding a connection with the young diary writer, Lauren finds herself taking a hard look at her own life and her own perceptions.

Although I haven't quite finished the book yet, I am having a hard time putting it down. Susan Meissner hooked me from the very beginning as Lauren's story was given a foundation. Then as excerpts from the diary were added I felt my heart being pulled to the young woman who would soon be accused. A very compelling story.

An excerpt from the publisher:

Summary: Lauren Durough is a college student longing to break free of family expectations when she stumbles into a project for eighty year old Abigail Boyles—transcribing the journals of Mercy Hayworth, a seventeenth-century victim of the Massachusetts witch trials. Almost immediately, Lauren finds herself drawn to this girl who lived and died four centuries ago. The strength of her affinity with Mercy forces Lauren to take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships with the mysterious Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. But on the way to discovering the candid truth, Lauren must earnestly ask if she is playing the role of helpless defendant or the misguided judge? Can she break free from her own perceptions and recognize who she really is?

In our high-pressure, success-oriented culture, readers will identify with Lauren’s struggle to forge her own identity separate from the plan her family designed for her. Offering intrigue, romance, and heartbreaking drama, this contemporary novel with a historical twist conveys the intense beauty that emerges when we see how our stories affect the lives of others.

About the author:

From early school-day projects to becoming editor of a local newspaper in Minnesota, Susan Meissner’s love for writing has been apparent her entire life. The Shape of Mercy is her latest novel in a string of books that delve into the deeper issues of life. She is the author of nine novels and lives with her family in San Diego, California. Find out more about her at http://www.susanmeissner.com/.

The Giveaway:

And now I get to give away a brand spanking new copy. If the description of this story has grabbed you, just leave a comment and I'll draw next Tuesday for the book. As always please make sure you leave some way to get ahold of you, either blog link or email address. Unfortunately, Canadian or U.S. postal address only please.

You may also purchase this book here at Amazon.

Blog Tour and Giveaway - "For Young Men Only"

"For Young Men Only" by Jeff Feldhahn and Eric Rice

Summary:
The best-selling ONLY series returns with a one-of-a-kind guide for teen guys on how to figure out girls

Drawing on a fresh national survey of 600 teen girls, as well as hundreds of personal interviews, For Young Men Only reveals the real truth about what teenage girls think, what they want, and how average teen guys can build healthy friendships with high quality girls. Full of surprising revelations and practical advice, For Young Men Only delivers help straight from the girls themselves in a fun, easy-to-read, easy-to-talk about format.

Warm, witty, and honest, authors Jeff Feldhahn and Eric Rice tell plenty of personal stories and draw on solid biblical principles to guide young guys through the often daunting world of the opposite sex. Their goal is to help teen guys build self-confidence and understanding, and show them how to pursue a relationship with a girl while giving her the respect and protection she deserves.

My notes:
I have been waiting for this installment in this series. Although it came at the end of the blog tour and on Canadian Thanksgiving I just had to sneak some time to get into it. And it did not disappoint. Having read all the others in this series and actually learning some very practical insights, I wanted my teenage son to also be able to read a version just for him. Very readable, with humor and sensitivity, this book answers questions guys might have about girls with the answers coming straight from the girls. Very practical and I would think very usable by both parents and youth leaders to open conversations or go over with their teenage boys.

NOW THE BEST PART: I have a copy to give away. If you'd like to win a copy of this book just leave a comment making sure I have some way to get ahold of you, either a blog link or email address, and I'll do the Random Number Generator thingy on Wednesday, October 13. Remember, even if you don't have a teenage son, you might know of a youth leader who can use this as a great resource.

To purchase this book (or any in the series) you can go to the following links:

www.amazon.com
www.christianbook.com
www.familychristian.com

Winners!

We have some winners for the Children's Book Extranaganza! I'm excited to send these off. We really enjoyed them. So here we go, Random Generator Thingy do your thing!

The winner of "God Gave Us Heaven" by Lisa Tawn Bergren is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:5
Timestamp: 2008-08-23 15:34:13 UTC

Congratulations: PJ

The Winner of God Loves Me More Than That by Dandi Daley Mackal is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:1
Timestamp: 2008-08-23 15:39:50 UTC

Congratulations: Laura

The winner of When God Created My Toes by Dandi Daley Mackel is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:7
Timestamp: 2008-08-23 15:47:16 UTC

Congratulations: Anna

Children's Extravaganza!

Important Update down below!

First off, I just want to remind you about Friday's Fave Five. Just write a post about your favorite 5 things from the past week. It can be anything that tickled your fancy this week. Link back here to my Fave Five post. I'm going to try to put up a Mr. Linky. Which for me may or may not be stressful. We'll see. :v) I'd love for you all to join in so I can see what was your favorite five things of the week. Now onward to the real post: Book Giveaways! As in plural! Read on:

This week I had the pleasure of reviewing 3 beautiful children's books for Waterbrook Press that will be releasing this fall. What a pleasure it was. Each book is beautifully written prose, with the ones by Dandi Daley Mackell written in a captivating rhyme. Both are beautifully illustrated in eye catching colors for the preschooler! Seeing my children are already teenagers I read them to my dayhome children who gave each one a resounding thumbs up, with requests to read them again.

Here's the descriptions from the publisher and then I'm going to give a set away!

Summary: Little Cub awakens one morning with some important questions on her mind: What is heaven like? How do we get there? Will we eat in heaven? Will we be angels?
During a delightful day spent wandering their arctic world, Papa gently answers each question, assuring Little Cub that heaven is a wonderful place, “a million times better” than she can imagine. He explains how God has made a way for those who love him to enter their heavenly home forever after their lives on earth are over.
Reuniting the best-selling author-illustrator team from God Gave Us You, this gentle story provides satisfying answers for a young child’s most difficult questions about heaven. Parents, grandparents, childcare professionals, librarians, Sunday school teachers, and others will appreciate the gentle approach to a topic that’s on the minds of so many “little cubs.”
Through captivating, full-color illustrations and tender, biblically sound storytelling, young readers and those who love them will find reasons to rejoice in knowing that God Gave Us Heaven.

Author Bio: Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than one million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. God Gave Us Heaven is Lisa’s fourth children’s book, following in the tradition of the best-selling God Gave Us You. She makes her home in Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and their children, Olivia, Emma, and Jack.

Illustrator Bio: Laura J. Bryant studied painting, printmaking, and sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She has illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books, including God Gave Us You, Smudge Bunny, and If You Were My Baby. Laura lives in Asheville, North Carolina.


Books: God Loves Me More Than That, and When God Created My Toes
Summary: In two new books from best-selling children’s author Dandi Daley Mackall, clever rhymes and delightful illustrations help young children, ages three and up, understand God’s huge love for them and his joy in creating them. These enchanting picture books from the writer-illustrator team of Dandi Mackall and David Hohn will instill awe in young children as they revel in each page. Parents alike will appreciate the engaging stories that communicate God’s perfect plan and his divine purpose for little hearts.
In God Loves Me More Than That, children learn that God loves them deeper than a wishing well, wider than a semi-truck, louder than thunder, and softer than a kitten’s sneeze. Each question, presented with charming child-like faith will help young ones grasp the great love of God through comparisons and descriptions they can easily understand. In short, they’ll discover that His love is bigger, wider, higher, and deeper than anything they could imagine!

In When God Made My Toes, kids are drawn into the wonder of their creation by God. Their masterful artist who fashioned them just right for amazing and delightful adventures, such as roller skating, finger-painting, doing flips, and drinking cocoa. Children will come to an understanding that God shaped each part of their amazing bodies with joy, delight, and humor.



Author Bio: Dandi Daley Mackall has published more than 400 books for children and adults, with more than 3 million combined copies sold. She is the author of WaterBrook’s two other delightful Dandilion Rhymes books, A Gaggle of Geese & A Clutter of Cats and The Blanket Show. A popular keynote speaker at conferences and Young Author events, Mackall lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, and a menagerie of horses, dogs, and cats.

Illistrator Bio: David Hohn is an award-winning illustrator who graduated with honors from the Maryland Institute College of Art. He has worked as both a staff artist and an art director for a children’s software company in Portland, Oregon, a position which led to his art directing an award-winning project for Fisher-Price. Hohn’s recent projects include Lisa Tawn Bergren’s God Gave Us Christmas.



Now the fun part! I'm going to give them away individually! So that means not 1 but 3 chances to win! And even if you win, I'll put your name back in so potentially you can win all 3! Just leave me a comment by this Friday at midnight and I'll make the draw as soon as I get up on Saturday morning. Canadian and U.S. mailing address only please.

Updated to add: Please make sure that there is a way to get a hold of you. Either a link to your site or an email address, otherwise I'll have to redraw if you're name is chosen. If I can't get ahold of you, I can't let you know you won, right?

To purchase these lovely books you may find them at Amazon here, here and here.

And the Winners Are...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

8
11
Timestamp: 2008-07-20 06:27:06 UTC

Congratulations to:

Kamewh at Blueberries and Peanut Butter

and

Bookworm

A Book Giveaway!

**The book giveaway is sticky posted and will remain at the top of the blog until Saturday evening. For more recent posts which includes a recipe for Thai Chicken, please just scroll on down. After you enter the draw first, of course!

When Waterbrook Press/Multnomah Books asked me to be a part of the blog tour for Love as a Way of Life, I was excited to participate. Written by Dr. Gary Chapman, the author of New York Times bestseller, The Five Love Languages, I knew it would be a very practical book I could put into practice.

Dr. Chapman embarked on major study of love by asking what are the characteristics of loving people and how were these characteristics developed? How can weput our focus on the giving of love and rather than on getting it? Observing seven main characteristics in loving people: Kindness, patience, forgiveness, courtesy, humility, generosity and honesty, Chapman believes these are the foundations for every language of love. With the premise that the most satisfied adults are those who have invested their lives in giving love away and that self-centered living leaves us alone and empty he encourages a cultivation of authentic love in everyday life. Chapman teaches that this authentic love is what brings out our authentic selves, the people we want to become. It's all about having a positive impact on everyone who crosses our paths.

I only recieved this book this last Friday, but I have been soaking it up. It is written in very easy to read, every day person's language, not full of big psychological words and phrases. The book itself is laid out in an easy study manner. Each characteristic is given a chapter and each chapter has clearly divided headings. There is a definition of each characteristic and a questionnaire to take that challenges you to think of where you are honestly with that characteristic in your life. He shows you habits to aquire to help build the characteristic into your life and then takes a look at the things in our lives that would "compete" or work against developing that particualr characteristic. I have been underlining and taking notes as it is chockful of wonderful advice and encouragement.

And guess what? The Giveaway: Multnomah books have generously provided me with two copies of this wonderful resource to give away. I think everyone, no matter where they are in life, can benefit from this book. So if you've read this post don't leave without leaving me a comment so that you can be entered. I'll make the draw on Saturday evening and announce the winners then. As usual only one comment per person please, and make sure there is a way to get a hold of you whether through a link or an email address. You won't be sorry!

You may also purchase a copy at Amazon.

Congratulations Linda.

You are the winner of my book giveaway. I'll get that in the mail this week for you!

Whoo, hoo, A Giveaway!

*Sticky Post that will stay at the top until July 1, 2008. For new posts just scroll on down or click on the specific links.
-I've got a fantastic, easy summer recipe down here.
-Word for the Weekend here.
-Book Meme here.









Gretchen over at Jewels in My Crown...Someday is hosting a Book Giveaway Carnival. The idea is to offer up a gently used, enjoyed book to giveaway to someone else for a summer read. For her full guidlines just click on the button or the link and join in! Participants are in her sidebar. Everyone could use a new summer read right? And how fun to get it in your mail. Here's the one I'm offering:




The humor of Phil Callaway and Martha Bolton come together in this easy read about Finding Joy in all Places of our lives. In the midst of fighting kids, bills pouring in and the everyday frustrations it's sometimes easy to lose our focus and only look at the things going wrong. Leaving us feeling cold. Phil and Martha remind us how and why we can laugh again even as life swirls around us.

If you'd like this fun, easy read for summer just leave me a comment. It's open to Canada and U.S. residents. To help me celebrate Canada Day, my unofficial start to summer, I'll draw at 9 a.m. MT on July 1st.

Please make sure I can get ahold of you with either a link or an email. If I can't get a hold of you I can't let you know you've won and get your address. Right? I'll give the winner one week to respond or I'll draw again.


C'mon. Join in. I'm sure you've got a great read laying around that would bless someone else this summer!

Winners

We have winners for the "A Mending at the Edge" book giveaway.

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

9

1

Timestamp: 2008-04-26 15:10:23 UTC

Congratulations to Tammy and Julia!

Book Tour & Giveaway

"A Mending at the Edge" is the third installment in beloved historical author Jane Kirkpatrick's Change and Cherish series. Based on the real life historical character of German-American Emma Wagner Giesy, the only woman sent to the Oregon Territory in the 1850's, this book finishes Emma's story.

Through the author's thorough research, Emma's story of living in a communal religious society is brought to life as she struggles with her independant streak while striving to serve her communty and take care of her family.

From the back of the book: "...the story of one woman's restoration from personal grief to the meaning of community. Jane Kirkpatrick shows how landscape, relationships, spirituality and artistry poignantly reflect a woman's desire to weave a unique and meaningful legacy from the threads of an ordinary life. While set in the historical past, it's a story for our own time answering the question: Can threads of an isolated life weave a legacy of purpose in community?"

I have two copies of this wonderful book to give away. If you would like to win leave me a comment and I'll enter you and use the random number generator to pick two winners on Saturday morning, April 24th. As always, one comment per person and please make sure I have a way to get a hold of you. That means leaving an email or linking to one. You don't have to have a blog to win, but if I can't reach you, you can't recieve the book, right? U.S.A or Canadian addresses only please.

For your information, here is a summary about each book in the series.

A Clearing in the Wild
Spirited young Emma Wagner chafes at the constraints of her 1850s religious community, which values conformity over independent thought, especially in women. Skeptical of the colony’s growing emphasis on preparing for “the last days,” Emma clashes with their increasingly autocratic leader—and faces the unexpected consequences of pursuing independence.

A Tendering in the Storm
This lyrical novel, based on an historical figure of the 1800s, follows the spirited and intelligent Emma Giesy, who achieves her goal of separating her family from the repressive religious community in which she grew up. But unexpected and dire consequences leave her family—and her faith—struggling to survive.

A Mending at the Edge
This richly textured novel, the third in the acclaimed Change and Cherish series, follows the historical figure of Emma Wagner Giesy, who chafes under the restrictions of her 1860s religious colony. When her bid to belong in her unique way unravels her most precious relationships, she seeks new ways to stitch meaning into her life.

The winner for the book draw for "Experiencing the Ressurection" is #2:

Laura from "I'm An Organizing Junkie"

Congratulations, Laura. I'll get that into the mail for you right away!

Don't forget you can also order this book from Amazon.

It's Not Just For Easter Time

"The resurrection is not a doctrine to be pondered, but an invitation to experience the living Christ in your life......We want you to do more than gain knowledge of the ressurection; we want you to experience the ressurection in your daily walk with the risen Christ" -Henry & Melvin Blackaby

Does that quote not just grab you? I was very excited to be asked to read this book. Unfortunately, it only arrived the day before yesterday. Not enough time to read it all before the book tour, but just look at at some of the chapter titles: The Father's Eternal Purpose; Ressurection and the Uncommon life; Ressurectuin Peace; Ressurection Joy; Ressurection Hope; Never the Same Again; and many more. The author's guide you into experiencing the gospel of Christ in it's fullness. They offer the reader a deeper understanding of the glorious, joyous dimensions of the ressurection with the goal of revealing the living Lord at work in your daily life.

From the Summary:

What does the resurrection of Christ really mean for us? What does it reveal about the heart and mind of God? And what real differences can the miracle of the resurrection make in your life today?

Discover answers to those and other questions as you examine God’s Word with this companion study guide to the book Experiencing the Resurrection by Henry Blackaby and Melvin Blackaby.

Packed with practical notes, advice, and questions for reflection, this highly interactive guide—ideal for small group or individual use—shows you how to witness Christ’s resurrection in and through your life. Each chapter of the book is explored in a flexible one-week format with “life change objectives” that arise from applying the truth for each day to your life.

About the Author's:
Dr. Henry Blackaby, president emeritus of Blackaby Ministries, is the author of more than a dozen books, including the best-selling classic Experiencing God. He has spent his life in ministry, serving as a music director and as a senior pastor for churches in California and Canada. Today he provides consultative leadership on prayer for revival and spiritual awakening on a global level. He and his wife make their home in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Melvin Blackaby coauthored with his father, Henry Blackaby, the Gold Medallion winner Experiencing God Together. He travels extensively as a conference speaker. He and his wife and their three children live in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada, where he serves as senior pastor of Bow Valley Baptist Church.

I'm totally excited that they have graciously given me a copy that I can give away. If you'd like to recieve a copy leave me a comment, I'll do the random number generator thing on Friday (21st) morning and I'll get this book right to you. Don't forget I need some kind of link to a site with an email address or the email address in the comment. I need to be able to get ahold of you if your name is drawn.

This book may also be purchased through Amazon here.