Giveaways

I am in the process of trying to clear out some my books. There is no more room and I love them so. :) So I want to hold some giveaways here on my blog to pass on some great Christian Fiction books to you my lovely readers. I don't have a button for it but be on the lookout over the next couple weeks for separate posts on them. :)

Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze (Review and Giveaway)

*** Leave a comment on this post before midnight on May 3 to be entered to win a copy.***

About the Book:

Crossroads Crisis Center owner Benjamin Brandt was a content man -- in his faith, his work, and his family. Then in a flash, everything he loved was snatched away. His wife and son were murdered, and grief-stricken Ben lost faith. Determination to find their killers keeps him going, but after three years of dead ends and torment, his hope is dying too. Why had he survived? He'd failed to protect his family.

Now, a mysterious woman appears at Crossroads seeking answers and help -- a victim who eerily resembles Ben's deceased wife, Susan.

A woman robbed of her identity, her life, of everything except her faith -- and Susan's necklace.The connections between the two women mount, exceeding coincidence, and to keep the truth hidden, someone is willing to kill. Finding out who and why turns Ben and the mystery woman's situation from dangerous to deadly. Their only hope for survival is to work together, trust each other, and face whatever they discover head on, no matter how painful. But will that be enough to save their lives and heal their tattered hearts?

My Review:

Overall this was an okay inspirational romantic suspense novel. There are several confusing spots in the book including the beginning. I read it and tried to store it in my head as I read the rest of the book. The plot and characters were good and the writing was okay. I did enjoy reading it in the end and look forward to reading the next book in the series. Recommended especially fans of this genre.

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601422057

Author Bio:
Vicki Hinze is an award-winning author of twenty-three novels, three nonfiction books, and hundreds of articles. Selected for Who’s Who in America in 2004 as a writer and educator, Hinze is active in Romance Writers of America and serves as a Vice President on the International Thriller Writers Board of Directors. Vicki lives in Florida with her artist husband, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. Visit http://www.vickihinze.com/ to learn more about Vicki’s books, blogs, and writing programs.

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Dead Reckoning by Ronie Kendig (Review and Giveaway)

***Leave a comment on this post before March 31 to be entered to win a copy.***

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Dead Reckoning

Abingdon Press (March 1, 2010)

by

Ronie Kendig





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ronie has been married since 1990 to a man who can easily be defined in classic terms as a hero. She has four beautiful children. Her eldest daughter is 16 this year, her second daughter will be 13, and her twin boys are 10. After having four children, she finally finished her degree in December 2006. She now has a B.S. in Psychology through Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Getting her degree is a huge triumph for both her and her family--they survived!



This degree has also given her a fabulous perspective on her characters

and how to not only make them deeper, stronger, but to make them realistic and know how they'll respond to each situation. Her debut novel, Dead Reckoning released March 2010 from Abingdon Press. And her Discarded Heroes series begins in July from Barbour with the first book entitled Nightshade.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Underwater archaeologist Shiloh Blake is consumed with passion for the water and inflamed at the injustices of life. When her first large-scale dig traps her in the middle of an international nuclear arms clash, she flees for her life.



When she spots a man trailing her, the questions are, Who is he? And how is he always one step ahead? Is the man trailing her an enemy or a protector sent by her CIA father?



Reece Jaxon is a former Navy SEAL and now serves his country as a spy. His life is entangled by the beguiling Shiloh Blake as he hunts down the sources to a nuclear dead drop in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai, India. The only way to end this nightmare and prevent a nuclear meltdown is to join forces with Reece. Will Shiloh violate her vow to never become involved in her father's web of intrigue and mystery? Will she reconcile with her past and with him? Will she allow God to help her thorough this ordeal of danger, mistrust and uncertainty?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Dead Reckoning, go HERE.

My Review:

I thought that overall this was a good debut novel. It had mystery, suspense, romance, secret operatives and military. My kind of book. :) I had two issues though. It was a little repetitious in spots with Shiloh running around hiding and evading the bad guys and sometimes Reece. Also in the book Shiloh had seizures. I have seizures and that part of the storyline was not consistent or believable. You cannot take a pill every now and then and you are fine. I still recommend the book because that was minor stuff. The plot line and characters were interesting. I love the relationship that developed between Shiloh and Reece. The chemistry sizzled. This author has loads of potential. I can't wait to read another book by her. Highly Recommended. :)

Angels by Dr. David Jeremiah (Review and Giveaway)

***Leave a comment on this post before February 19 at midnight to be entered to win a copy.***



About the book:

Who They Are and How They Help–What the Bible Reveals…

What are angels? What is their role in God’s plan? Are they present? Do they appear? Do they give us personal insight about our work, our worship?

Many contemporary beliefs about angels are based on misconception and myth. Dr. David Jeremiah uses scripture to unveil the remarkable truth about these agents of heaven, and their role and work in our world—and lives.

My Review:
I am not quite finished with this book yet. I have been reading it before work in the car. It makes a great devotional type book. It helped clear and focus my brain. Might be all the great bible verses in it. That is what I like the most about this book. There is some speculation on the part of the author but I just ignored it and moved on. It is easy to read and keeps your interest. I really did not know that much about Angels going into it so it has been a real learning experience. Recommended.


About the Author:

Dr. David Jeremiah is senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego, and founder of Turning Point Radio and TV Ministries. His radio program is carried on over 2,500 stations worldwide, while the TV broadcast is received by 500 million homes via cable and satellite. The recipient of numerous awards for broadcast excellence, his books have garnered Gold Medallion awards and become bestsellers with The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the New York Times. He is a sought-after conference speaker by organizations nationwide.

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601422699&ref=externallink_mlt_Angels_sec_1208_01

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

The Male Factor by Shaunti Feldhahn (Review and Giveaway)

From the Publisher:

A startling and confidential exploration of what men privately think about the words and actions of women in the workplace, based on nationwide surveys and confidential interviews with more than 3,000 men, ranging from corporate CEOs to factory workers.

Many talented women today risk undermining their careers without realizing it, simply because they don’t understand how they are perceived by their male colleagues and customers.

In The Male Factor, best-selling author Shaunti Feldhahn reveals the inner reality behind men’s views — the unspoken expectations that no man would dare to publicly acknowledge, and no woman would learn from an HR department. These revelations include:

• Men’s unwritten ‘rules’ of the workplace

• How men perceive workplace emotion

• What common situations with female colleagues most frustrate men-- and why

• Why revealing clothing can sabotage a woman’s effectiveness

• Why some men think flextime is fine, but equal compensation for it is not

This book equips women with the information they need to make informed decisions and compete on a level playing field.

My Review:

I am almost half way through this book. It is very interesting but full of information. I am reading slowly and taking notes so I can hopefully use the information in my life. There is a lot research that went into the book and you can tell. She even designed a scientific survey with professionals. This is my first book by her but I want to read For Women Only which is about the inner lives of men and what we don't know. Recommended so far. :)

Links:
NBC appearance (click Launch Video)Shaunti Feldhahn's site for the book

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

How Do I Love Thee? by Nancy Moser (Review and Giveaway)

***Leave a comment on this post before Sunday December 29 at midnight to be entered to win a copy.***


About the Book:
Elizabeth Barrett is a published poet--and a virtual prisoner in her own home. Blind family loyalty ties her to a tyrannical father who forbids any of his children to marry. Bedridden by chronic illness, she has resigned herself to simply existing. That is, until the letter arrives...

"I love your verses with all my heart," writes Robert Browning, an admiring fellow poet. As friendly correspondence gives way to something more, Elizabeth discovers that Robert's love is not for her poetry alone. Might God grant her more than mere existence? And will she risk defying her father in pursuit of true happiness?

My Review:

This is a wonderful story of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning's love story. The first 170 pages focuses on Elizabeth's life before she meets Robert. It is sad and depressing. Her health is bad and her father loves them but is tyrannical and decreed none of his children can get married. Her world becomes her room and her family. Slowly a few visitors are let in. This book starts when she is in her late 30s. It is told in first person Elizabeth's view and the first part is a little hard to get through but it helps the reader see her background. I was interested in the topic so I kept reading and enjoyed the story especially after Robert comes into the picture. I was not familiar with her story beyond the basics. I love some of her love poems she wrote to Robert. The story flows good and is well written. It reads like the time period it is set in and the reader can tell the author has done her research. In the back of the book the author has included a chapter by chapter guide on the facts/fiction in the story. Also at the end are some of Elizabeth's love poems she wrote to Robert. I enjoyed rereading them. She was a very talented poet and I enjoyed this glimpse into her life. Recommended.

About the author:

Nancy Moser is the author of three inspirational humor books and a eighteen novels, including Mozart's Sister, Just Jane, and Time Lottery, a Christy Award winner. She is an inspirational speaker, giving seminars around the country. She has earned a degree in architecture; run a business with her husband; traveled extensively in Europe; and has performed in various theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She and her husband have three grown children and make their home in the Midwest. Read more about her books at www.nancymoser.com

Thank you Bethany House Publishers for my review copy.

Piece de Resistance by Sandra Byrd(AND GIVEAWAY)

***Leave a comment before Sunday November 15 at midnight to be entered to win a copy.***

Book description:

Having earned her chef's hat, Lexi Stuart bids au revoir to her glamorous and deliciously satisfying pastry mentorship outside of Paris and returns to her hometown of Seattle, Washington. There, she finds life unexpectedly complicated.

She's put in charge of a high end catering bakery Bijoux, which should be her dream job, but there's a catch: She has to make this lavish bakery into a successful business in just a few short months, which will require more than her ability to make an amazing wedding cake. In over her head and at a loss for creative marketing ideas, Lexi isn't sure what the recipe for success needs to be.

Stir in a complicated relationship with her French beau, Philippe, and his daughter, Celine, then add a dash of romance with down-to-earth, lawyer Dan, and life suddenly contains more ooh la la than Lexi can handle.

With the fate of her career and her love life hanging by a thread, the phrase "piece of cake" has never been more daunting. Lexi learns that she must trust the dreams in her heart and the God who put them there.

My Review:

This is the third and last book in the French Twist series by Sandra Byrd. I love this series. I am so sad to see it end. I recommend reading them in order plus they are so good you will want to read all of them. The main character Lexi has grown so much since the start of the first book. There is a spiritual aspect to the series but it is never preachy to me. It just flows along with the rest of the story. They are well written with fabulous food descriptions. I love to bake and every time I read one it makes me want to bake and eat. Highly recommended. :)

About the Author:
Sandra Byrd is a best-selling author of books for adults, teens, and children. Her notable series include the Friends for a Season series, the Secret Sisters series and the French Twist series, which includes the first two Lexi Stuart novels, the Christy Finalist Let them Eat Cake and its sequel, Bon Appetit. A regular contributor to newspapers and magazines, Sandra lives in Washington state with her husband and two children.

Visit the author’s website.

To Order from Amazon

Kiss Me Again by Barbara Wilson (AND GIVEAWAY)

*** Leave a comment on this post by Friday October 30 at midnight to be entered to win a copy***

Many married women genuinely want to feel more desire toward their husbands. But while sex before marriage was hard to resist, now resisting seems like all they do. In her new book, Barbara Wilson shows how couples can suffer for years from the “invisible bonds” of previous relationships without even knowing it. Hidden emotions of distrust, shame, and resentment can sabotage even the most loving marriage.

In Kiss Me Again, Wilson :

· Shares her own story of healing and renewed desire
· Helps women forgive themselves and their husbands for past choices
· Shows readers how to break free from “invisible bonds”
· Explains God’s plan for helping a husband and wife to re-bond
· Includes conversation helps for both wives and their husbands
· Helps couples reignite the passion that they thought was lost

With assessment tools, write-in exercises, and gentle guidance, Kiss Me Again offers a biblical plan for rekindling the closeness and passion women long for in marriage. Because no past is beyond the reach of God’s healing touch.

About the author:

Barbara Wilson is the author of The Invisible Bond and former director of sexual health education for the Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center in Sacramento . She speaks nationwide to youth and adults with her message of sexual healing, and she teaches frequently in the women’s ministry at the multi-campus Bayside Church in Northern California . Barbara and her husband, Eric, have been married for twenty-eight years.

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601421586

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall (AND GIVEAWAY)

***Leave a comment on this post before Saturday October 24 at midnight to be entered to win a copy.***

About the book:

Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people’s wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy’s dry goods store. But she doesn’t know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry.

Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it’s not that simple–will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?

My Review:
I enjoyed this novella(208pgs) and read it in one sitting. It is not really a Christmas book except featuring it in the end. It is still enjoyable. I loved the characters and the way they interact. The plot line is interesting and unique which is always great in my opinion. I cared about the characters and what happened next. The Amish parts are not over/under done and it highlights a problem that you rarely hear or read of in the Amish community. Recommended.


About the author:
Cindy Woodsmall is the author of When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes,

The New York Times Best-Seller When the Soul Mends. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. A mother of three sons and two daughters-in-law, Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty-one years.



http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307446534

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

You Were Born for This by Bruce Wilkinson (AND GIVEAWAY)

***Leave a comment on this post before Saturday September 26 at midnight to be entered to win a copy.***

Book Summary:

His New York Times phenomenon The Prayer of Jabez changed how millions pray. Now Bruce Wilkinson wants to change what they do next.

Anyone can do a good deed, but some good works can only happen by a direct intervention from God. Around the world these acts are called miracles—not that even religious people expect to see one any time soon. But what would happen if millions of ordinary people walked out each morning expecting God to deliver a miracle through them to a person in need? You Were Born for This starts with the dramatic premise that everyone at all times is in need of a miracle, and that God is ready to meet those needs supernaturally through ordinary people who are willing to learn the “protocol of heaven.”

In the straightforward, story-driven, highly motivating style for which he is known, Wilkinson describes how anyone can be a “Delivery Guy” from heaven in such universally significant arenas of life as finances, practical help, relationships, purpose, and spiritual growth.

You Were Born for This will change how readers see their world, and what they expect God can do through them to meet real needs. They will master seven simple tools of service, and come to say with confidence, “I want to deliver a supernatural gift from God to someone in need today—and I expect to!”

Click on link to hear the author introduce the book:
http://bit.ly/wGT7l

Author Information:

One of the world’s foremost Christian teachers, Bruce Wilkinson is best known as the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller The Prayer of Jabez. He is also the author of numerous other bestsellers, including A Life God Rewards, Secrets of the Vine, and The Dream Giver. Over the past three decades, Wilkinson has founded several global initiatives, including organizations that recruited and trained thousands of Americans to address hunger, AIDS, and poverty in Africa . Bruce and his wife, Darlene, have three children and six grandchildren. They live outside Atlanta .

David Kopp has collaborated with Bruce Wilkinson on over a dozen bestselling books, including The Prayer of Jabez. He is an editor and writer living in Colorado .

Stray Affections by Charlene Baumbich (AND GIVEAWAY)

***Leave a comment on this post before Tuesday September 15 at midnight to be entered to win a copy.***

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (September 15, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0307444714

Introduction from the author:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWwya52SkjU

Summary:
The last thing that Cassandra Higgins expects out of her Sunday is to be mesmerized at a collectors’ convention by a snowglobe. She’s enjoying some shopping time, with husband Ken at home tending their brood of four young boys, when she’s utterly charmed by the one-of-a kind globe containing figures of three dogs and a little girl with hair the color of her own. She can’t resist taking the unique globe home– even if means wrestling another shopper for it!

The beautiful snowglobe sparks long-dormant memories for Cassie, of her beloved Grandpa Wonky, the stray she rescued as a child, and the painful roots of her combative relationship with her mother, “Bad Betty” Kamrowski. Life in Wanonishaw , Minnesota is never dull, though, and Cassie keeps the recollections at bay, busy balancing her boys, her home daycare operation, and being a good friend to best pal Margret. But after a strange–flurrious, as Cassie deems it–moment happens with the remarkable snowglobe, Cassie and the people she loves are swirled into a tumultuous, yet grace-filled, and life-changing journey.

With the quirky, close-knit Midwestern small-town feel that made Charlene Ann Baumbich’s acclaimed Dearest Dorothy novels so popular, Stray Affections invites you to experience the laughter and the healing of second chances.

My Review:

I loved this book. Read the summary above as it explains it wonderful. I read the Dearest Dorothy fiction series by this author and loved them too. Why? Because the characters and plot are well developed and interesting. They have quirks and there are several lol moments. One of the main themes of this book is forgiveness and second chances. I recommend this book and the other fiction series Dearest Dorothy.

About the Author:

Charlene Ann Baumbich is a popular author and speaker and an award-winning journalist. In addition to her Dearest Dorothy series of novels, she has written seven nonfiction books of humor and inspiration. A bungee-jumping, once motorcycle-owning grandma and unabashed dog lover, Charlene lives with her husband and rescued dog Kornflake in Glen Ellyn , Illinois . She loves telling stories, laughing whenever possible, and considers herself a Wild Child of God.

https://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307444714

The Blue Enchantress by M. L. Tyndall (AND GIVEAWAY)

***Leave a comment on this post before Tuesday September 15 at midnight to be entered to win a copy.***

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Blue Enchantress
Barbour Books (August 1, 2009)
by
M.L.Tyndall

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



M. L. (MaryLu) Tyndall grew up on the beaches of South Florida loving the sea and the warm tropics. But despite the beauty around her, she always felt an ache in her soul--a longing for something more.

After college, she married and moved to California where she had two children and settled into a job at a local computer company. Although she had done everything the world expected, she was still miserable. She hated her job and her marriage was falling apart.

Still searching for purpose, adventure and true love, she spent her late twenties and early thirties doing all the things the world told her would make her happy, and after years, her children suffered, her second marriage suffered, and she was still miserable.

One day, she picked up her old Bible, dusted it off, and began to read. Somewhere in the middle, God opened her hardened heart to see that He was real, that He still loved her, and that He had a purpose for her life, if she'd only give her heart to Him completely.

She had written stories her whole life, but never had the confidence to try and get any of them published. But as God began to change her heart, He also showed her that writing had been His wonderful plan for her all along!

Her other current release in the Charles Towne Belles series includes The Red Siren.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Betrayed by the man she longed to marry, Hope Westcott is about to be auctioned off as a slave to the highest bidder on an island in the Caribbean . After enduring a difficult childhood in an unloving home, Hope?s search for love and self-worth have led her down a very dangerous path. All she ever wanted was to find true love and open an orphanage where she could raise children with all the love she never experienced as a child.? But how can a woman with a sordid past ever hope to run an orphanage, let alone attract the love of an honorable man?

Determined to overcome the shame of his mother?s past, Nathaniel Mason worked for many years to build his own fleet of merchant ships in an effort to finally acquire the respect of Charles Towne society. Ignoring the call of God on his life to become a preacher, he forges ahead with his plans for success at a distant port in the Caribbean , when he sees a young lady he knows from Charles Towne being sold as a slave. In an effort to save Hope, he is forced to sell one of his two ships, only to discover that her predicament was caused by her own bad behavior. Angry and determined to rid himself of her as soon as possible, Nathaniel embarks on a journey that will change the course of his life.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Blue Enchantress, go HERE

View The Book Trailer:



My Review:

I loved this book. I read the first so after reading the second I do recommend reading them in order. They are both great and the first provides a little history on the main character in this book Faith. I love the character development in the book. The spiritual aspect of the book is well done. The series is loosely themed around the parable of the seeds. The plot is very interesting and the author makes you feel like you are there with vivid descriptions. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Definitely recommended. :)

Never the Bride by Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutteridge(AND GIVEAWAY)

***Leave a comment on this post before June 22 at midnight to be entered to win a copy.***

Book 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 Review:
Never the Bride is a humorous chick lit novel with a spiritual message. Overall I liked it. It had parts where I was not sure especially when she starts seeing and talking to God as he is in the form of a man. But it works out. The main theme revolves around giving control of our lives over to God and listening to Him which includes writing our love stories. The characters and plot are interesting. I wanted to know what happened so I kept reading. This is being made into a movie that will be released next year. I look forward to seeing it. Recommended. :)

About the authors:

Cheryl McKay is the co-author (with Frank Peretti) of the Wild and Wacky, Totally True Bible Stories series, which has sold nearly 200,000 copies, and the screenwriter of the award-winning film The Ultimate Gift.

Rene Gutteridge has published thirteen novels including Ghost Writer, My Life as a Doormat, the Boo Series, the Occupational Hazards Series, and the Storm Series.

Together, McKay and Gutteridge are the authors of The Ultimate Gift, a novelization based on the feature film and popular book by the same title.

Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0307444988

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes by Robin Jones Gunn (AND GIVEAWAY)

***Leave a comment on this post before Monday June 15 at midnight to be entered for a chance to win a copy.***

About the book:

When a mammogram result comes back abnormal, midlife mama Summer Finley makes a snap decision to relegate fear to the back burner and fulfill a lifelong dream. Summer heads for Holland where she meets up with tulips, wooden shoes, and her best friend, Noelle.

Pen pals since fourth grade, Summer and Noelle have never met face-to-face. Through decades of heart-level correspondence, they have sustained a deep friendship. A week of adventure helps both women trade anxiety for a renewed and deeper trust in God. When Summer confides in Noelle about the abnormal medical report, Noelle finds the freedom to share a long-held heartache, and both women discover they needed each other more than they realized.

Women ages 35 and up, readers of Christian Boomer Lit, and fans of books such as The Yada Yada Prayer Group will enjoy Robin Jones Gunn’s humorous and uplifting style. True-to-life characters and moments of poignancy bring a deeper understanding of the value of life and the gift of true friends. Readers guide and bonus material included.

My Review:

I have read the entire Sisterchicks series and loved them although this one is not one of my favorites. My personal favorite is probably Sisterchicks in Sombreros. I am 26 so I am not really in the target group although I have always enjoyed the books. I could not really relate to the current book but I think a lot of women will love it.

Author Bio:
Robin Jones Gunn is the best-selling and award-winning author of over seventy books, including the Glenbrooke, Christy Miller, Sierra Jensen, Katie Weldon, and Christy and Todd: The College Years teen series. The Sisterchicks® series has sold more than 300,000 units, bringing her total sales to more than 3.5 million books worldwide. A Christy Award winner, Robin is a popular speaker, both at home and abroad, and is frequently interviewed on radio and on television. http://www.robingunn.com/ http://www.sisterchicks.com/

https://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601420091&ref=externallink_mlt_sisterchicksinwoodenshoes_sec_0423_01

Stealing Home by Allison Pittman (AND GIVEAWAY)

***Leave a comment to be entered to win a copy. Deadline is Wednesday June 10 at midnight.***

About the book:

It’s 1905 and the Chicago Cubs are banking on superstar Donald “Duke” Dennison’s golden arm to help them win the pennant. Only one thing stands between Duke and an unprecedented ten thousand dollar contract: alcohol.

That’s when sportswriter David Voyant whisks Duke to the one-horse town of Picksville , Missouri , so he can sober up in anonymity. He bides his time flirting with Ellie Jane Voyant, his unofficial chaperone, who would rather hide herself in the railway station ticket booth than face the echoes of childhood taunts.

Ned Clovis, the feed store clerk, has secretly loved Ellie Jane since childhood, but he loves baseball and the Duke almost as much–until he notices Ellie Jane may be succumbing to the star’s charm.

Then there’s Morris, a twelve-year-old Negro boy, whose only dream is to break away from Picksville. When Duke discovers his innate talent for throwing a baseball, Morris might just have found his way out.

Four individuals, each living in haunted isolation, each harboring a secret passion. Providence brings them together. Tragedy threatens to tear them apart. Will love be enough to bring them home?

My Review:

I loved this book. It is going on my top favorites of the year and my keeper shelf. I read it in one night. I was turning pages as fast as I could to see what happened next. The characters and plot are interesting. I was transported back in time in a good way. The words are lyrical. It captivated me and would not let me go until the end. Just when I think I have the ending fixed in my head a twist is thrown in that leaves me breathless. Don't miss this book. I highly recommend this book. :)

About the author:

Allison Pittman spent seventeen years as a high school English teacher, and then shunned the advice of “experts,” quit her day job and set out to write novels that bring glory to God. She relishes inspiring other writers and leading the theater arts group at her church. She and her husband and three sons live in Universal City , Texas .

Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Home-Allison-K-Pittman/dp/1601421362/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243995555&sr=8-4

Random House Link:

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601421364&ref=externallink_mlt_stealinghome_eaj_0408_01

The Night Watchman by Mark Mynheir(AND GIVEAWAY)

***Leave a comment to be entered to win a copy. Deadline is Monday June 1 at midnight.***

Back Cover:
Eleven months ago, Ray Quinn was a tough, quick-witted Orlando homicide detective at the top of his game–until a barrage of bullets ended his career…and his partner’s life.

Now medically retired with a painful handicap, Ray battles the haunting guilt for his partner’s death. Numbing the pain with alcohol and attitude, Ray takes a job as a night watchman at a swanky Orlando condo.

But when a pastor and an exotic dancer are found dead in one of the condos in an apparent murder-suicide, Ray can no longer linger in the shadows. The pastor’s sister is convinced her brother was framed and begs Ray to take on an impossible case–to challenge the evidence and clear her brother’s name.

Ray reluctantly pulls the threads of this supposedly dead-end case only to unravel a murder investigation so deep that it threatens to turn the Orlando political landscape upside down and transform old friends into new enemies. As Ray chases down leads and interrogates suspects, someone is watching his every move, someone determined to keep him from ever finding out the truth–at any cost.

My Review:
I loved this book. It is a great mystery/suspense book. One of the best well written I have read all year. The author's personal experiences make the story. The characters and plot are interesting. I was drawn in from the first page and held until the end. I look forward to reading more books featuring Ex Detective Ray Quinn. Highly Recommended. :)


Author Bio:
A detective with the Criminal Investigations Unit of the Palm Bay Police Department, Mark Mynheir investigates violent crimes and writes riveting Christian fiction. A U.S. Marine with a passion for martial arts and firearms training, Mark has worked on narcotics units, SWAT teams, and myriad high-risk situations. His four novels offer a realistic glimpse into the gritty world of law enforcement and the rarely seen raw emotions behind the badge. Mark lives in Florida with his wife and three children.

For Buying Information:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781590529355&ref=externallink_mlt_thenightwatchman_sec_0414_01

Gardening Eden by Michael Abbate (And Giveaway)

*** Leave a comment to be entered to win a copy. Deadline is Sunday April 26 at midnight.***

Before the snake, the apple, and the Ten Commandments, God created a garden, placed humans in it, and told them to take care of it.

“Spiritual environmentalism” did not start out as an oxymoron—it was an invitation. Yet today, many believe God’s original job description for humankind has been replaced by other worthier pursuits. So when did this simple instruction become so controversial? How does one sort through all the mixed messages? Is making the world a healthier place for the next generation really a responsibility—or even possible?

Gardening Eden is a new understanding of how the spiritual dimensions of life can find expression and renewal through caring for our incredible planet. Empowering, simple, and never polemical, Michael Abbaté outlines the Bible’s clear spiritual benefits of caring for creation, exploring new motivations and inspired ideas, and revealing the power of our basic connection to all people and living things through the growing interest in spiritual environmentalism.

Green living is no longer a fad—simple lifestyle solutions are now available to everyone. Gardening Eden shows readers how this shift transforms not only our world, but their very souls as they’re drawn into deeper harmony with the Creator. This book invites them to discover the powerful spiritual satisfaction of heeding the call to save our world.

My Review:
I am about halfway through this book and so far I love it. I keep stopping to write things down. I am going to update this post when I finish hopefully tomorrow night.


Author Bio:
A nationally recognized expert in “green” development strategies, Mike Abbaté is a founder of GreenWorks, an award-winning landscape architecture design firm. He frequently speaks to students and leaders about practical ways to minimize the impact of building and landscape design on natural resources. Abbaté’s work has been featured in national magazines such as Metropolis and Landscape Architecture and in many local newspapers and trade publications. He and his wife, Vicki, have two adult daughters and live near Portland , Oregon .

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307444998&ref=externallink_wbm_gardeningeden_sec_0309_01

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived by Steven Scott (And Giveaway)

**Leave a comment before Monday March 30 at midnight to be entered to win a copy.**

Summary:

In The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, Scott guides readers in a step-by-step application of the life-changing principles, skills, and methods that Jesus used throughout his earthly life. Although believers may spend a lifetime learning from Jesus’ teachings, it’s easy to overlook the powerful lessons demonstrated in His life. But when these incomparable lessons are learned and put to use, they enable ordinary people to achieve extraordinary success and happiness.

From Jesus’ earthly life readers will learn:
How to break through the barriers that prevent them from achieving extraordinary success at work and relational success at home.
How to experience a level of happiness and fulfillment that nothing the world offers can duplicate.
How to use adversity and opposition as a springboard for greater success.
How to love others in a way that increases their love as well.

No matter what a person’s area of expertise and in what setting a person influences others, living by the principles of Jesus’ life on earth produces extraordinary success, unprecedented achievements, personal fulfillment, and blessings for others.

Random House Link:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385526005&ref=externallink_wbm_thegreatestwordseverspoken_kef_0220_01

Author Bio:
Steven K. Scott is the best-selling author of The Richest Man Who Ever Lived, The Greatest Words Ever Spoken, and Mentored by a Millionaire. After failing in nine jobs, he started reading a chapter of Proverbs every day—and the wisdom of Scripture changed his life. Scott and his business partners have built more than a dozen multimillion-dollar companies from scratch, achieving billions of dollars in sales. He is the co-founder of Max International, Total Gym Fitness, and The American Telecast Corporation. He is a popular international speaker on the subjects of personal and professional achievement and the application of biblical wisdom to every area of life.

This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury (AND Giveaway)

***Leave a comment on this post to be entered to win a copy. Contest closes Monday February 23 at midnight.***

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Karen Kingsbury

and the book:

This Side of Heaven

Center Street (January 6, 2009)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is America's #1 inspirational novelist. She's written more than thirty novels, ten of which have hit #1 on bestseller lists, and her Center Street novel Just Beyond the Clouds hit #13 on the New York Times bestseller list. There are nearly seven million copies of her award-winning books in print, including more than two million copies sold last year alone. She lives in Washington state with her husband, Don, and their six children, three of whom are adopted from Haiti.

Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $14.99
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Center Street (January 6, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1599956780
ISBN-13: 978-1599956787

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

My Review:
This is a very touching book. It definitely tugged at my heart. The main theme is where a person's worth comes from and it comes from who you are rather than what you do for a living. There is a major plot twist I did not expect. All I have to say is yikes. From the start to end the author had me. I highly recommend this book. :)

Leave it to Chance by Sherri Sand (And Giveaway)

***Leave a comment on this post to be entered to win a copy. Deadline is Monday December 8 at midnight.***


It is time for the FIRST Blog
Tour! On the FIRST day of every month we feature an author and his/her
latest book's FIRST chapter!

The feature author is:

Sherri
Sand

and his/her book:

Leave it to
Chance
David C. Cook (May 2008)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sherri
Sand is a wife and mother of four young children who keep her
scrambling to stay ahead of the spilled milk. When she needs stress relief from
wearing all the hats required to clothe, feed and ferry her
rambunctious brood, you may find her sitting in a quiet corner of a bistro
reading a book (surrounded by chocolate), or running on one of the many
trails near her home. Sherri is a member of The Writer’s View and American
Christian Fiction Writers. She finds the most joy in writing when the
characters take on a life of their own and she becomes the recorder of
their stories. She holds a degree in psychology from the University of
Oregon where she graduated cum laude. Sherri and her family live in the
beautiful Pacific Northwest.

She's also a blogger! So stop
by and say hi to Sherri at Creations in the Sand!

Product Details:

List
Price: $13.99
Paperback: 353 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook
(May 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1434799883
ISBN-13: 978-1434799883


AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

“A horse? Mom, what am I
going to do with a horse?” Just what she and the kids did not need. Sierra
Montgomery sagged back against her old kitchen counter, where afternoon
sunlight dappled the white metal cabinets across from her. She pressed
the phone tight against her ear, hoping she’d heard wrong, as her
four-year-old son, Trevor, ate grapes at the kitchen table.


“Miss Libby wanted you to have it. I’d think you’d be delighted, what
with the kids and all. You remember Sally, Miss Libby’s daughter?
Well, she just called and said it was all laid out in the will. None of
their family could figure out who Sierra Lassiter Montgomery was until
Sally remembered me from her mom’s church. So she called and sure enough,
you were my daughter.” Sierra’s mom tsked into the phone. “Well, you
know how Sally is.”

Sierra hadn’t the foggiest how Sally
was, or even who she was. She barely remembered Miss Libby from her
Sunday school class eons ago.

“She acted pleased that
her mother gave you the horse, but I could tell she was miffed. Though
what Sally Owens would do with a horse, I’d like to know.” Her mom’s
voice was tight and controlled as if they were discussing how to deal with
black spot on her Old English roses.

“But I don’t want
a horse. You, of all people, should know that after what happened
when—” How could her mom even suggest she get a horse? Painful pictures of
her childhood friend Molly floated through her mind.


“Honey, accidents like that don’t happen more than once in a lifetime.
Besides, Miss Libby wouldn’t have owned a crazy horse.”


Sierra stared out the window where the school bus would soon release
her most precious treasures. Her mom never had understood the
resounding impact that summer day had made in her life.

“You
really need to think of the kids and how much fun they’d have. It’s not
like you’d ever be able to afford to buy them one.”


Sierra wished she were having this conversation with Elise rather than
her mother. Her best friend would understand the danger she feared in
horses, and in her humorous way come up with a sensible plan that would
include not keeping the animal.

Her mom, on the other
hand, lived life as if she were on one of those moving conveyors at the
airport that people can step on to rest their feet yet keep moving
toward their destination. As long as everyone kept traveling forward, she
could ignore the emotional baggage dragging behind.

“I
don’t understand why Miss Libby would give the horse to me.”


“You know how my bingo club visited the Somerset rest home every
week? Well, Miss Libby’s been there for years and she always did
comment on how horse crazy you were when she taught your Sunday school
class.”

“Mom, that was a phase I went through when I was
ten and found National Velvet and Black Beauty at the library. I haven’t
seen Miss Libby since middle school.”

“Obviously you
were special to Miss Libby. I’d think you might be a little more
grateful.”

Deep breath, Sierra told herself. “I am grateful.”
An errant grape rolled next to her toe. Trevor’s blond head was bent,
intent on arranging the fruit like green soldiers around the edge of
his plate. Sierra tossed the grape into the sink and considered how to
respond to her mom. She was a dear, but sometimes the woman was like dry
kindling on a hot day, and one little spark…. “I’m just not sure that
owning a horse would be a wise move at this point in our lives.”

The front door slammed and Sierra felt the walls shudder with
the thud. The 3:00 p.m. stampede through the house meant it was time
to get off the phone and determine how to get rid of a horse before the
kids found out about it.

Her mom sighed. “It’s too bad
Sally won’t keep the horse at her place for you, but she said her
husband wants the horse gone. He wants to fill the pasture with sheep.”

Sheep? A kitchen chair scraped over the linoleum as
Trevor scooted back from the table and dashed for the living room. “Mommy’s
got a horse! Mommy’s got a horse!” Wonderful. Little ears, big mouth.


Braden and Emory shot into the kitchen, bright eyes
dancing in tandem. Their words tangled together in fevered excitement
despite the fact that she was on the phone.

“Where is
it?” Braden’s eleven-year-old grin split his face, and his dark hair was
rumpled and sweat streaked, likely from a fevered game of basketball
during last recess.

She held a hand up to still the
questions as her mom went on about the sheep that Sally’s husband probably
did not need.

“We have a horse?” Nine-year-old Emory,
her blonde hair still neat in its purple headband, fluttered in front
of her mom, delight and hope blooming on her face.


Despite the fear of horses building deep in Sierra’s gut, her children’s
excitement was a little contagious. She wished Miss Libby had willed her
a cat.

Sierra ran her hand down Emory’s soft cheek and
whispered. “I’ll be off the phone in a minute, sweetie.”


“Can we ride it?” Em looked at her with elated eyes.


Braden tossed his backpack on the table. “Where are we going to
keep it?”

The kids circled her, jabbering with excited
questions. Sierra rubbed her forehead with the tips of her fingers. “I
gotta go, Mom. I’ve got to break some cowboy hearts.”


The kids clamored around her, Braden taking the lead with an arm draped
across her shoulder. When had he gotten so big? “Do we have a horse,
Mom?” He asked the question with a lopsided grin, a foreshadow of the
adolescence that had been peeking through lately. The preteen in him
didn’t truly believe they had a horse—he was old enough to realize the
odds—but little-boy eagerness clung to his smile.

“That
would be yes and a no.”

“What? Mom!” he complained.

“I was given a horse, but we’re not going to keep him.”
Braden’s arm slid off her shoulder, a scowl replacing his smile. “Why
not?”

“Someone gave you a horse?” Emory ignored her
brother’s attitude and flashed her most persuasive grin. “Can we keep him?
Please!”

Sierra smoothed her hand over the silky hair
and leaned close to her daughter’s face as Emory went on. “I think we
should get four horses so we each have one. We could go trail riding.
Cameron’s mom has horses, and they go riding all the time as a
family.”

“We’re not a family anymore,” Braden cut in. “We
stopped being a family when mom divorced dad.”

A shard of
pain drove into Sierra’s gut. She hadn’t had time to brace for that one.
Braden’s anger at the divorce had been building like an old steam
engine lately.

“That’s not fair!” Outrage darkened Emory’s
features. “It’s not Mom’s fault!”

Sarcasm colored
Braden’s voice. “Oh, so it’s all Dad’s fault?”

Sierra
saw the confusion that swept over her daughter’s face. She was fiercely
loyal to both parents and didn’t know how to defend them against each
other.

Sierra spoke in a firm tone. “Braden, that’s
enough!”

He scowled at her again. “Whatever.”


Sierra held his gaze until he glanced away.


“Guys, we’re not going to play the blame game. We have plenty to be
thankful for, and that’s what is important.”

Braden’s
attitude kept pouring it on. “Boy, and we have so much. Spaghetti for dinner
every other night.”

“So what, Braden-Maden!” Emory made
a face and stuck her tongue out at him.

“No more
fighting or you two can go to your rooms.” Her kids were not perfect, but
they used to like each other. Something had changed. Her gut said it was
her ex-husband, Michael, but what if she was falling into the whole
“blame the dad” thing herself? What if she was really the problem? Two
weeks without a job had added stress and worry. Had she stopped hugging
them as often in between scouring the want ads and trying to manage a
home and bills?

“Mom?” There was a quaver in Trevor’s
soft voice.

“Yes, honey?” Sierra gave him a gentle
smile.

“Can we keep the horse?”

Emory’s
blue gaze darted to meet hers, a plea in them. Braden sat with his arms
crossed over his chest, but his ears had pricked up.


Sierra looked at them, wanting them to understand and knowing they
wouldn’t. “None of us know how to handle or care for a horse, so it wouldn’t
be safe to keep him.”

Emory’s face lit up. “Cameron’s
mom could teach us.”

“Honey, it’s not that simple. We
can’t afford an animal that big. He probably eats as much in groceries
as we do, and it would be very expensive to rent a place for him to
live.”

“I could mow yards.” Anger at his sister
forgotten, Braden turned a hopeful face to her. “We could help out.”

Emory jumped onto the working bandwagon. “Yeah. I could do
laundry or something for the neighbors.”

Braden drilled his
sister a look that said idiot idea but didn’t say anything.

Trevor bounced in his chair, eager to be a part of keeping the
horse. “I could wash cars.”

“Those are great ideas, but
they won’t bring in quite enough, especially since it’s getting too
cold to mow lawns or wash cars.”

“You just don’t want to
keep the horse, Mom,” Braden said. “I get it. End of story.”

“Honey, I’d love for you to have a horse, but when I was young
I had a friend—”

Emory spoke in a helpful tone. “We
know. Grandma told us about the accident.”

They knew?
Wasn’t the story hers to share? “When did Grandma tell you?”


Braden’s voice took on a breezy air. “I don’t know. A while ago.
Come on, Mom. We’re not going to do something dumb like your friend
did.”

Defensiveness rose inside. “She didn’t do anything
dumb. It was the horse that—”

“So because something
bad happened to one person, your kids can never do anything fun for the
rest of their lives.”

Sierra gave him a look. “Or you
learn from your mistakes and help your kids to do the same.”


Braden rolled his eyes at her.

Worry drew lines
across her daughter’s forehead. “Are you going to sell him?”

“Yes, Em. So we’re not going to discuss this anymore. You and
Braden have homework to do.” At the chorus of groans she held her hands
up. “Okay, I guess I’ll have to eat Grandma’s apple pie all by
myself.”

Braden grabbed his backpack and slowly dragged it
across the floor toward the stairs, annoyance in his voice. “We’re
going.” Emory trotted past him up the stairs.

Trevor
remained behind, one arm wrapped around her thigh. “I don’t have any
homework.”

She squatted and pulled him in for a hug. “Nope,
you sure don’t, bud.”

He leaned back. “Do I get a
horse?”

Sierra distracted him by inching her fingers up his
ribs. “What, Trev?”

He tried to talk around his
giggles. “Do I get—Mom!” Her fingers found the tickle spots under his arms
and he laughed, his eyes squinted shut and mouth opened wide. She found
all his giggle spots, then turned on Sesame Street as the second
distraction. Good old Bert and Ernie.

Now what? She had
roughly forty-five minutes to figure out how she was going to get rid of a
horse and not be a complete zero in her kids’ eyes.


She eyed the phone and made her next move. Five minutes later a white
Mazda whipped into her driveway. Sierra hurried out the front door waving
her arms to stop Elise before she could start her ritual honking for
the kids.

Wide eyed, her platinum blonde friend stared,
one long plum-colored nail hovering above the “ooga” horn on the dash.
“What?”

“I don’t want the kids to know you’re
here.”

Wicked delight spread across her perfectly made-up
face. Light plum shadow matched her nails. Tomorrow, both eye shadow and
nails could be green. “Let me guess! Mr. Pellum asked you out!”

“Nooooo!” Mr. Pellum was a teacher Sierra and Elise had had a
crush on in seventh grade.

“Ummm … you robbed a bank
and need me to watch the kids while you fly to Tahiti?”


Sierra gave her a mock-serious look. “Done?”

Elise
tilted her head. “Can I get out of the car?”

Sierra
glanced toward the house. All was still silent. “Yes, you may.”

Deadpan, Elise nodded and opened the door. “Then I’m done for
now.” Her plump body, swathed in a creamy suit with a purple scarf draped
across one shoulder, rose gracefully from the small two-seater.

Sierra closed the door for her, then leaned against it.
Elise had a way of removing the extraneous and reducing a problem down to
the bare essentials. “Elise, I’m in a predicament.”


“Hon, I’ve been trying to tell you that for years.”


Sierra shook her head. “I don’t think you could have seen this one coming
even with your crystal ball.”

Elise gave her the
spinster teacher look through narrowed eyes. “I don’t think I like the
implications of that.”

Sierra held her hands out. “You are
the queen of mind-reading, according to my children.”


Elise chuckled. “It’s a good thing I was just headed out for a latte
break when you called. Now what’s the big emergency?” She owned a high-end
clothing store for plus-sized women in downtown Eugene.


“A horse.”

Elise glanced around as if one or two
might be lurking behind a tree.

“A herd of them or
just one?”

“One. Full-sized. Living and breathing.”

“I believe I’m missing some pieces here. Is it moving in
with you? Holding one of the children hostage? What?”


Sierra breathed out a slight chuckle and tucked a stray hair behind her
ear. “You’re not going to believe this, but I inherited it.”


Her friend’s eyes grew wide, emphasizing the lushly mascaraed
lashes. “Like someone died and gave you their horse?”


Sierra nodded, raising her brows. “And the kids want to keep him.”

Furrows emerged across Elise’s forehead. “Who is the idiot
that told them about the horse?”

Sierra tilted her head
with a look that only best friends could give each other.


Elise’s perfectly painted lips smirked. “Moving along, then. Why
don’t you keep it? The kids would love it. Heaven knows they deserve it.”
She clapped her hands together. “Oh, oh! They could get into 4-H, and
Braden could learn to barrel race. That kid would think he’d won the
jackpot. Emory and Trevor could get a pig or some of those show
roosters.”

Sierra let the idea machine wind down. “I don’t
think so.”

“Angora rabbits?”

“No farm
animals.”

Elise’s mouth perked into humorous pout.
“Sierra, you’re such a spoilsport. Those kids need a pet.”

“A
hamster is a pet. A horse is not.”

Diva Elise took the
stage, hands on her ample hips. “Don’t tell me you didn’t want a horse
growing up. Remember, I was the one who had to sit and watch National
Velvet with you time ad nauseam. You’ve said yourself that Braden needs
something to take his mind off the problems he’s having at school and
with his dad.”

Guilt, a wheelbarrow load of it, dumped
on Sierra. “You are supposed to be helping me, Elise, not making it
worse. I want to get rid of this horse and …” her eyes dodged away from her
friend, “… you know.”

“Mmm-hmm. And still look like
Super Mom in your children’s eyes.”

Sierra nodded, but
couldn’t find the nerve to say yes.

“Sierra
Montgomery, those children have been to heck and back in the last couple years
and you’re willing to deny them the pleasure of owning their own free
horse because … because of what?”

Sierra stared at the
ground for a moment, feeling a tangle of emotions rise within. She let
her eyes rest on Elise’s and said quietly, “Fear? Terror? Hysteria?”

A look of puzzlement, then understanding settled on
Elise’s face, smoothing away the annoyance. “Molly.”

Sierra
nodded. “I won’t put my children in that kind of danger.”


Elise leaned forward and grabbed Sierra’s hands, holding them
tight. “Oh, hon. That was a long time ago. Don’t let your life be ruled by
the what-ifs. There’s a lot of living left to do. And your kids need
to see you taking life by storm, taking chances, not hiding in the
shadows.”

“That’s easy for you to say. You were voted most
likely to parachute off the Empire State Building.”


Elise gave her a cheeky grin, both dimples winking at her. “We could do
it tandem!”

“If you see me jump off the Empire State
Building you’ll know my lobotomy was successful, because there is no way
in this lifetime you’ll catch this body leaving good sense behind!”
Sierra heard the words come from her own mouth and stared at her friend
in wonder. “Oh, my gosh. That was so my mom.”

“It was
bound to happen, hon.”

Was she serious? “You think I’m
turning into her?” Sierra brought a hand to her throat and quickly
dropped it. How many times had she seen her mom use the same gesture?

Elise laughed. “You need to stop fretting and just live. We
all turn out like our mothers in some respect.”

“All
except you. You’re nothing like Vivian.”

“Other than
the drinking, smoking, and carousing, I’m exactly like her.”


Sierra lifted a brow. Her mom had rarely let her go to Elise’s
house when they were growing up—and for good reason. Elise struck a pose
like a fashion model. “Okay, I’m the anti-Vivian.” She gave Sierra a
soft smile. “All funnin’ aside, I really think you should keep the
horse.”

“I’m not keeping the horse. And even if I wanted to,
I couldn’t.” Sierra took a settling breath and stared at the tree over
Elise’s shoulder.

“Michael still hasn’t paid?”

Elise knew more about her finances than her mom did. “He
paid, but the check bounced again. So now he’s two months behind in child
support.”

“Have you heard if Pollan’s is rehiring?”

“They’re not.” Jarrett’s, the local grocery store where
she worked for the three years since the divorce had been recently
bought out by Pollan’s. They had laid off the majority of the checkers with
the possibility of rehiring some.

Elise cringed as
if she was bracing herself for a blow. “And the unemployment fiasco?”

Sierra shut her eyes. “Mr. Jarrett did not pay into our
unemployment insurance, so there is no benefit for us to draw from.
Yes, it was illegal, and yes he will pay, but it may take months, if not
years, for various lawyers and judges to beat it out of him.” She gave
Elise a tired smile. “That’s the version minus all the legalese.”

“So the layoffs are final, no unemployment bennies, and
you’re out of a job.”

“Momentarily. The résumé has been
dusted off and polished.” She gave a wry grin.

“I wish
I could hire you at Deluxe Couture, but I promised Nora fulltime work.
And besides, your cute little buns would drive my clientele away.”

Sierra waved a hand over her jeans and sweatshirt. “Your
clientele would outshine me any day.”

“You sell
yourself far too short.” Elise glanced at the hefty rhinestone encrusted watch
on her wrist. “Anything else I can do for you? Help the kids with
their homework? Babysit while you sweep some tall, dark, handsome man off
his feet?”

Sierra laughed. “And where is this dream man
going to come from?”

Elise gave a breezy wave of her
hand and opened the car door. “Oh, he’ll turn up. You’re too cute to
stay single. I actually have someone in mind. Pavo Marcello. He’s a new
sales rep from one of my favorite lines. I’ll see if he’s free Friday
night. You aren’t doing anything, are you?”

“Hold on!”
Sierra stepped in front of the car door to keep her friend from
leaving. “First, I’m not looking. Second, given my history, I’m not the best
judge of character. I’ve already struck out once in the man
department.” She pointed to her face with both index fingers. “Not anxious to try
again. Third, you just told me I’m turning into my mom, which makes me
definitely not dating material.”

A twist of Elise’s
lips signaled a thought. “You know, now that I think about it, I believe
he has a boyfriend.” She shook her head and lowered herself into the
car. “We’ll keep looking. I’m sure Sir Knight will turn up.”


Sierra shut the car door and grinned down at her friend. “And
what about finding your knight?”

Elise gave her a bright
smile. “Mr. Pellum is already taken. You really need to find a way to
keep that horse; it’ll be your first noble sacrifice.”


“First?”

The little car backed up, and Elise spoke
over the windshield. “The others don’t count.”

Sierra
stared at the retreating car. There was no way she was keeping that horse.




After dinner, Sierra crept into
Braden’s room. He sat on the bed intent on the Game Boy in his lap, the tinny
sound of hard rock bleeding out of his earphones. She waved a hand and
he glanced up. She waited and with a look of preteen exasperation he
finally pulled the headphones to his shoulders.

“What,
Mom?”

“I just wanted to say good night.”


“Good night.” His hands started to readjust the music back into
position.

“I looked at your homework.”


“You got into my backpack? Isn’t that like against the law or something?
You’re always telling us not to get into your stuff.”


She crossed her arms. Frustration and worry gnawed at her. “You lied
to me about doing your assignment. Why, honey?”

He
ignored her and started playing his Game Boy.

She took
one step and snatched the game from his hands.

“Hey!”

“I want some respect when I talk to you, Braden.”

His chin sank toward his chest, his gaze fixed on his bed,
his voice low. “I didn’t want to do it.”

She sat next
to him, her voice soft. “Is it too hard?”

He shrugged.
“It gives me a headache when I work on it.”

“Braden,
if you need help, I’d be happy to work with you after school.”

He stared at his knees and picked at a loose string of cotton
on his pajama bottoms.

“I got a phone call from Mrs.
Hamison today.”

His body came alert, though he didn’t
look at her.

“She said you’re flunking most of your
subjects, and she hasn’t seen any homework from you since school started a
month ago.”

He glanced up, his jaw belligerent, but
with fear in his eyes.

“What’s going on? I know school
isn’t easy, but you’ve never given up before.”

“Middle
school’s harder.”

She wanted to touch him, to brush
the hair off his forehead and snuggle him close the way she used to when
he was small. Back when a hug and a treat shared over the kitchen
table was enough to bring the sparkle back to her son. “She thinks we
should have your vision tested.”

“Why?”


“She’s noticed some things in class and thinks it might be helpful.”

He shrugged again. “Can I have my game back?”


“You lied to me, son. Again.”

“Sor-ry.”

“You break trust every time you choose to be dishonest. Is
that what you want?”

His voice was sullen and he stared
at his comforter. “No.”

She touched his leg. “What’s
bothering you, honey?”

“I dunno. Can I have my game
back?”

She stood up. There was a time for talking and this
obviously wasn’t it. “You can have it tomorrow.”

But
would tomorrow be any different?

My Review:

Sierra Montgomery is a single mother just trying to get by. Her ex husband left her and married her ex friend. Her three children are torn between their parents. He is way behind in his child support. Rumor is his dental practice is in trouble but he is taking a nice vacation with his new wife. Sierra cannot even afford to keep the house she and the children rent. She looks and looks for a job but is having trouble finding one. So when her mother offers for them to come live with her Sierra does not want to but she has no choice. In the middle of all this Sierra finds out she has inherited an old horse named Chance. She cannot afford to house or feed it but the children love the idea of it. She tries to sell it but the buyer backs out. Her mom finds a place for it to stay through Kyle, his cousin, at church which is landscape developer Ross's farm. One problem Sierra is scared to death of horses because of a childhood accident that killed her friend. Leave it to Chance unfolds the emotional and development of the characters who are brought together by Chance.