I Better Finish These Books in 2010 Challenge

This reading challenge is hosted by Diane (Biblophile). Her blog is http://bibliophilebythesea.blogspot.com/
I have been thinking about this topic lately too. I have a stack of books I want to finish before we move into 2011. I also have a lot of reviews I want to write before the new year. I want to start fresh.

My list:
1. The Alaskan Bride min series by Various Authors
2. Uncertain Heart by Andrea Boeshaar
3. Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry
4. Betsy's Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace
5. Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer
6. Hatteras Girl by Alice Wisler
7. A Long long time ago and essentially true by Brigid Pasulka
8. Amy Inspired by Bethany Pierce
9. The Lightkeeper's Bride by Colleen Coble
10. Love Finds You in Charm Ohio by Annalisa Daugherty
11. An Honest Love by Kathleen Fuller
12. Anna's Return by Marta Perry
13. The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig
14. Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck
15. Angel Song by Shelia Walsh and Kathryn Cushman
16. The Tapestry of Love by Rosy Thornton

There are more but that is my starting point. I have been in a reading slump so I hope I can pull it together for a big finale. lol :)

The Portrait by Hazel Statham (Review)

About the book:

England 1812

Severely injured at the battle of Salamanca, Edward Thurston, the new Earl of Sinclair, returns home to his beloved Fly Hall. Determined not to present his prospective bride with the wreck he believes himself to have become, he decides to end his betrothal, unaware that Lady Jennifer, for vastly differing reasons, has reached the selfsame decision.

Throughout the campaigns, Edward was often seen relying greatly on a miniature he carried, and it is to this token he clings upon his return. Will he eventually find happiness with the girl in the portrait, or will he remain firm in his resolve not to wed? Reason dictates one course, his heart another.

My Review:
I loved this book. It is a great Regency romance novel. All of the characters came alive and were interesting. The plot held my interest and was well developed. I would love to read more of this author's books. They remind me of Georgette Heyer. Recommended.



About the Author:

Hazel Statham lives in England and has been writing on and off since she was fifteen. Initially she was influenced by Austen, the Brontës, and Sabatini but when she turned seventeen, Georgette Heyer opened up the romance and elegance of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. She immediately knew she had found her eras and wanted nothing more than to re-create them in her work.

Her latest book is the Regency romance novel, The Portrait, released by Avalon Books in August 2010.

Hazel lives with her husband, Terry, and a beautiful Labrador named Mollie. Apart from writing, her other ruling passion is animals, and until recently she acted as treasurer for an organization that raised money for animal charities.

You can visit her online at www.hazel-statham.co.uk and her blog at http://hazelstatham.blogspot.com/

Review copy provided by author for Pump Up Your Book blog tour.

Amy Inspired by Bethany Pierce

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingAmy InspiredBethany House; Original edition (October 1, 2010)byBethany Pierce



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

After completing a master's in Creative Writing and working as a visiting instructor at Miami University in Ohio, Bethany Pierce now lives with her husband in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she is a member of the McGuffey Art Center and continues to write. Her first book, Feeling for Bones, was one of Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 2007.



ABOUT THE BOOK

With rejections piling up, she could use just a little inspiration...



Amy Gallagher is an aspiring writer who, after countless rejections, has settled for a career as an English professor in small-town Ohio just to pay the bills. All her dreams suddenly start to unravel as rejections pile up--both from publishers and her boyfriend.



But just as Amy fears her life is stuck in a holding pattern, she meets the mysterious, attractive, and unavailable Eli. She struggles to walk the fine line between friendship and something more with Eli, even as staying true to her faith becomes unexpectedly complicated.



When secrets, tragedy, and poor decisions cause rifts in Amy's relationships, she must come to terms with who she's become, her unrealized aspirations for her life, and the state of her faith. Can she dare to hope that she will find love and fulfillment despite it all?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Amy Inspired, go HERE.

Hatteras Girl by Alice Wisler

Still running behind but I can't wait to read this one. :)

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingHatteras GirlBethany House; Original edition (October 1, 2010)byAlice Wisler



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alice J. Wisler is an author, public speaker, advocate, and fundraiser. She has been a guest on several radio and TV programs to promote her self-published cookbooks, Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and has traveled the country in jobs that minister to people. Alice was raised in Japan and currently resides in Durham, North Carolina.



Facts about Alice

* Born in Osaka, Japan and lived in Japan for 18 years

* Went to Kyoto International School and Canadian Academy

* Majored in Social Work and graduated in 1983 from Eastern Mennonite University

* Worked at a group home for disadvantaged kids outside of Philadelphia

* Taught English and Culture Orientation at a refugee camp in the Philippines

* Taught English as a Second Language in Japan

* Speaks and teaches on Writing the Heartache

* Has three kids on earth, and one in Heaven

* Recently got married to Carl on 2/7/09



ABOUT THE BOOK

There are two things twenty-nine-year-old Jackie Donovan asks God for: an honest, wonderful man to marry, and to own a bed-and-breakfast in the Outer Banks region. In the meantime, Jackie works for Lighthouse Views magazine, writing articles about other local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.



There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: the Bailey Place, a fabulous old home where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons, a place that has now fallen into disrepair because of its outrageous price tag.



When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Bailey Place, Jackie is sure God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to question her own motivation. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Hatteras Girl, go HERE.

A Woman and her Workplace by Rosemary Flatten (Review)

Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City (September 1, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0834125230

Book Summary:

Why is it often so difficult to build healthy relationships with our coworkers? The grumpy boss, the arrogant team member, the lazy employee, or the backbiting woman may be part of our workplace reality, and it may be easier to blame them for our workplace woes. But, the easy blame isn t always the best solution.

A Woman and Her Workplace shows women how God can perform a deep heart transformation within us that will allow His love and care to flow through us to the people in our workplaces. By delving into the issues that wreak havoc on our workplace relationships, author Rosemary Flaaten provides readers the help they need to develop and apply strong biblical principles of humility, integrity, forgiveness, grace, and celebration in the workplace.

Through discussing relationships such as boss to staff, woman to man, woman to woman, and teamwork, Flaaten guides women on a transforming journey through the common workplace difficulties as they develop healthy interaction in their workplace.

My Review:

I am on page 112/185 and so far it is really good. I have several stickies in place. I had aha moments while reading. It is definitely written from a Christian perspective and has bible verses at the end of each chapter for further study and questions for reflection. The story of Esther from the bible is also referenced a lot. I learned that I am a powerful choleric in the team. It makes perfect sense. The author also emphasized living the golden rule at work too. It is "Do unto others as you would have them do to you." Matthew 7:12 I think this book will help many women in the workplace. Recommended. :)

CHAPTERS
Building the Relationship Bridge
Pride Vanquished by Humility
Deception Defeated by Integrity
Anger Diffused by Forgiveness
Judgment Dissolved by Grace
Envy Rejected by Celebration
I'm Part of a Team
I'm the Boss
I'm NOT the Boss
I Work with Him
I Work with Her
Sharing Your Faith

ROSEMARY FLAATEN’S successful book, A Woman and Her Relationships helps women process their outside-of-work relationships, so now she’s delving into these 9-5 relationships. She writes from a fully equipped life-experience toolkit. In it we find her varied work experience, a counseling and educational background, and a deep love for God as well as a passion to help others. Her Relationships book won The Word Guild Award, which is Canada's top Christian literary honor. A dynamic speaker—Rosemary challenges women of all professions to view their work as a calling and their workplaces as opportunities to live out Christ’s love. Rosemary lives with her husband and three children in Calgary, Canada.

The Sunday Salon November 7, 2010 Reflections/Revelations

* I have neglected this meme for the past few weeks. I have not had anything really to write but the same ole same ole.

* I have been thinking really hard about my life and reading goals lately. I have come to several conclusions that I am going to share.

* I am fast approaching complete reading burnout. It has never happened to me in my life. I have always wanted to read. I think in the new year some of my reading goals are to accept less review books and read down my massive TBR shelves. A complete list of my reading goals for 2011 is not ready yet but I am working on it. I did not achieve my goals for this year which is depressing to me. I have never done this bad at reading challenges. Maybe I am getting burned out on them too?

* In my personal life I have been on a weight loss journey since June and have lost 20 lbs which I needed to lose. I am trying to make permanent healthy changes to my life. It is really hard. I feel a little like giving up but I really don't want too. Self sabotage is to blame for part of that. I ate way too much calories yesterday. I tend to go crazy on the weekends.

* I have been unhappy due to other things too. I have come to the conclusion that I cannot change absolutely everything about myself and still be happy. God made me a little old lady who will probably be an old maid. I don't know why but I used to be okay with that and I have decided to give up on men. I have been way too focused on finding Mr. Right this year.

* This year has been really rough for me and I will not be sad to see it go but I really do not want to keep the good changes I have made. I do my makeup and hair everyday now. I care more about my clothes and life choices. One of my goals for the new year is to start volunteering somewhere again. I used to love that. I need to get out of my own life and house more. Reading books all weekend sometimes is fine but in moderation.

* I have not read a single book this weekend and I have four tours next week. So I am going to go to Kroger then come home and focus. The laundry is almost done and we may go out to eat later with my Dad but other than that hopefully I can read. My reading buddies feel neglected. Poor kitties. :)

* Thank you for reading all my ramblings and blog. It means a lot to me. I hope everyone has a great week and lots of reading time. :)

Book Blogger Holdiay Swap

I participated in this last year and had a lot of fun. The sign ups end on November 14 and it is open internationally. Go to the website to fill out the google form if you want to participate. :)

http://holidayswap.wordpress.com/