white picket fences by Susan Meissner (GIVEAWAY!!!!)

What do you think of when you think of a white picket fence?

A little white house?

With 2.5 children and a dog?

Maybe the "perfect" family?

white picket fences by Susan Meissner is a story of the Janvier family, a family that seems to be living the perfect life. When the family decides to take in Tally, their niece and cousin, the threads of perfection begin to unravel. Meissner effortlessly weaves in multiple story lines that keep the reader enthralled - I literally could not put this book down!

A father that has disappeared, tragedies not forgotten, secrets uncovered, and stories of the Holocaust - will Tally's appearance bind the family closer together, or will their white picket fence protect their facade no more?

white picket fences is a clean, dramatic, and uplifting novel. Although the main characters don't seem to have strong, thriving relationships with the Lord, they learn that they can ALWAYS turn to Him - nothing we do can keep us from His love!

One of you lucky readers can win a copy! Just leave me a comment on this post telling me what your all-time favorite book is. I'll draw on Friday, November 20th sometime after noon.

If you don't win, you can purchase this book here.

These (2) books were provided for review and giveway by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Leaving Carolina by Tamara Leigh

* My apologies to Multomah Publishing. I *thought I had scheduled this to post 11/6, but apparantly I was mistaken! So, here's my review, 1 day late and a dollar short. :)

As my first read by Tamara Leigh, Leaving Carolina was a delightful foray into the life of Piper Wick, a southern girl who has done all she can to rid herself of her heritage. Having grown up in smalltown USA, (Pickwick, NC) with an eclectic and conniving family, Piper escapes to L.A. to make a brand new life for herself. 12 years later, her uncle's health scare and concious bring her back home - home to keep him from spilling all the family secrets.

Little does Piper know how much her trip home will change her life - and her heart. Tamara Leigh brings her characters to life with a potpourri of wit, sarcasm, and true-to-life struggles. I can't wait to read more of her work!


This book was provided to me for review by Multnomah Publishing. To purchase this book, click here.

The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall (and a giveaway!!!!)

Yay! My first giveaway! I'm doing a happy dance so give yourself a laugh and imagine it! I don't really understand why this excites me so - but I love to win things and I'm finding that I love to be on the other end so one of my friends can win, too! :)

The Sound of Sleigh Bells was my first book of Cindy Woodsmall's to read - and let me tell ya - I love her!

Beth Hertzler is a young Amish lady, mourning the death of her fiance'. Unknown to her friends and family, she is also hiding a secret - one that has made her vow to never love again. She works alongside her never-before-married Aunt Lizzy in their family dry goods store and Lizzy wants nothing more than for Beth to live life again. She doesn't want her beloved niece to live a life of lonliness as Lizzy herself has.

Beth's soul is stirred by a woodcarving she sees in another store. Hope springs in Lizzy's heart as she sees little signs of life awaken in her niece once again.

Is this a new beginning, or will the artist and woodcarving just lead to more heartache and pain for Beth?

I loved this book! It's a lighthearted, relaxing read that I was unable to put down. (I think I finished it in less than 3 hours). The Amish storyline really intrigued me. I genuinely respect the spirit that Woodsmall portrayed of the Amish community. I admire their willingness to live how they are convicted to live - with no thought of what modern society may think of them.

This is a story of forgiveness, love and hope. I believe we can NEVER have too much of any of these! My heart and mood were lifted after reading it. So. . .

leave me a comment by next Friday, October 23rd and you will be entered to win a never-before-opened hardback copy of this book! :) (If you don't want it for yourself, it would make a great Christmas gift. . . I'm just sayin'. . . )

If you don't win, you can purchase this book at Waterbrook Press. I highly recommend it!

This book was provided for review by Waterbrook Multnomah.

Extraordinary by John Bevere

Time for another book review! I second-guessed myself in agreeing to do a review on John Bevere's book, Extraordinary from Waterbrook Multnomah. The title made me think of Prosperity Theology/Health and Wealth gospel. Although the title is a little misleading, I still wasn't entirely impressed by the book.

Although the book doesn't claim that if you are a believer you will prosper, I feel that Extraordinary puts an unhealthy emphasis on how great our life should be.

"Satisfy your intrinsic desire to rise above the norm."

"Isn't it true that we long to see the extraordinary, experience the extraordinary, do the extraordinary? Yet, so often we settle for mediocrity when greatness is within our grasp."

"Best-selling author John Bevere reveals how all of us were 'meant for more,' extraordinarily created and intended for a life that is anything but ordinary. Here is the roadmap for your journey of transformation. You are marked for a life that far surpasses the usual definitions of success or fulfillment."

I guess I feel that it is God's will for some people to have very ordinary lives. If we have a living, growing relationship with the Lord, we experience the extraordinary every day as He speaks to us through His word. I don't think searching for greatness, even in our spiritual life, should be our focus. I think we should be searching for Him, and Him alone. He is greatness, and if He wants to do something great with our lives, that will come from Him, not from something we do.

To be honest, I only got through chapter 10 in this book. It wasn't an "easy read". I had to go back and re-read many sections to follow Bevere's train of thought. I kept intending to finish the book and give a proper review, but it just wasn't one of those books that I couldn't put down.

I can positively say that Bevere used a lot of scripture, which always impresses me. He also was very candid about his past struggles with lust and an addiction to pornography. He openly discussed how saturating Himself in God's Word helped him to overcome these strongholds. He has been renewed in the spirit of his mind and is truly free.

If you'd like to purchase this book and judge for yourself, click here.

Fearless by Max Lucado

To imagine my life, untouched by fear, seems wholly impossible. I deal with fear about my children's health, safety and innocence. Fear about not being able to pay the bills. Fear about losing my husband. I try not to let fear lead me, but I admit. . . . sometimes, it is a struggle.

In his new book, Fearless, Max Lucado challenges the reader to obey Christ's most often spoken statement . . . "Do not be afraid". In classic Lucado style, he explores many common sources of fear, with plenty of scripture to help overcome.

A book overflowing with beautiful word pictures, Fearless is a book of hope. It challenged me to pray about and actively work on making faith, rather than fear, my default reaction to thoughts, situations and circumstances that normally threaten me.

Maybe you're like me and your children, marriage, and finances are at the top of your worry list. Or maybe you're more concerned with terrorists, or global calamity, or your own health. If you're tired of letting fear get the best of your days, this book is like a tall glass of water on a hot day. It's an easy read, and I'll enjoy going back to it for some quick "fearless" inspiration.

The Jesus Book written by Stephen Elkins

Have you ever had a hard time explaining the life of Jesus to your children or grandchildren? I've had a hard time expaining the magnitude of who Jesus is while at the same time, keeping my explanation simple enough for my girls' little hearts to understand.

The Jesus Book, written by Stephen Elkins and illustrated by Claudine Ge'vry, is the solution I've found! This is the best laid out, most organized children's book about Jesus that I've ever seen. Elkins lays out the life of Jesus in 7 chapters, titled:

1. Who Jesus Is

2. What Jesus Did

3. What Jesus Taught

4. When It Happened

5. Where It Happened

6. Why It Happened

7. How It Happened

Elkins does a magnificent job of simplifying and explaining Jesus' life and ministry, in addition to why this information is important - for a life-long, eternal relationship with Him!

My children both loved the book. Emma especially loved the timeline in Chapter 4.

My only negative thought on this book concerns the illustrations. They are wonderful illustrations, but to me they look like illustrations for a 4 or 5 year old. Meanwhile, I think the writing of the book is better suited for a 7 to 9 year old child. So to me, the two don't quite gel.

Included in this book was a CD consisting of 30 classic children's Bible songs. My girls play this CD constantly, and I love that they are learning these "oldies but goodies".

All in all, I'm very happy to add this book to our library. It's definitely a keeper!

( I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing as part of their Book Review Blogger Program).

What's He REALLY Thinking? by Paula Rinehart

"Am I going to count love as it comes to me in a male package? Or am I going to spend my life insisting love be delivered in the manner I recognize most quickly - words and empathy?"

These are questions Paula Rinehart asks in "What's He REALLY Thinking?" It's an age old dilemma - men don't understand women and women don't understand men - the basis for many frustrations in relationships. Rinehart hits this issue head on - with refreshingly simple insight into the male psyche.

Based on what she's learned through many years as a counselor, Rinehart gives us glimpses into how men think, why they hurt, and what drives them to be the fascinating creatures they are. This information can help you learn how to better relate to the men in your life, and in turn, have a greater impact on them.

This book challenged me. It encouraged me. It helped me to understand my husband more deeply. If you are looking for a shift in your attitude, a change in your perspective, then this is the book for you. It contains the tools you need to transform your communication with your husband, father, and any other significant man in your life.

Interested? Click here!

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Book Review: The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns

Richard Stearns, former CEO of Parker Brothers and Lenox, shares his testimony of the Lord's movement in his life. He tells of his struggle with the calling the Lord placed on him to leave his corporate world and become the U.S. President of World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to helping the impoverished of our world.

To be honest, when I first read the title of this book, I was a little afraid. Who was this person saying that there is something wrong with our Gospel? Does he have a right to say that? After reading this book, I believe he does. With lots and lots of scripture, Stearns challenges Christians to live out the WHOLE gospel - which, in essence, should reach the entire span of the earth. The Bible is full of verses commanding us to love our neighbors - to help the widows and the poor.

Although I got a little bogged down with the numbers, Stearns minces no words in informing the reader of how "rich" even poor Americans are. As Christians, it is our responsibility to "be" Jesus through our hands, feet and yes, our wallets. Sadly, most of us fail miserably at this - outside of the four walls of our churches.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone - Christian and non-Christian alike. It just might make a difference in your life - and your purpose.

Click here to go to Thomas Nelson's product page for this book.

Click "read" below to preview the book.

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