And The Winner Is

OUR NEW WINNER OF VICKI HINZE'S "FORGET ME NOT" IS: JO! CONGRATULATIONS JO AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE READ.

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO LEFT A COMMENT AND CONTINUES TO SUPPORT MY BLOG!

NOTE: DON'T FORGET TO SCROLL DOWN TO THE PREVIOUS POST TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR VICKI HINZE'S "FORGET ME NOT".

Thanks for the Sunshine Award

What an honor to receive the Sunshine Award from one of my blogging buddies, Janet at janetstreasures.blogspot.comI like to think that I'm passing on His sonshine. :)


This award is traditionally passed on to those blogger's that inspire others and show positivity and creativity, so, in that spirit, I picked my nominees from blogs that I visit regularly and are very informative and inspiring to me.
The rules for accepting the award are:

This is what I've done and the nominees should do the same if they choose to:

1) Put the logo within my blog or on my post

2) Pass the award onto 10 fellow bloggers

3) Link the nominees within my post

4) Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog

5) Share the love and link to the person whom you received this award from.

Here are my 10 nominees, please visit them and check out their blogs! As you know we all live for comments!

Check back for nominees!

Ashley at:http://anotherdayforhim.blogspot.com/

Stormi at:http://writesthoughts.blogspot.com/

Lee at:http://leesmithwriting.blogspot.com

Colletta at:

http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/ Glenda athttp://meandmineinasmalltown.blogspot.com/

"Forget Met Not" by Vicki Hinze BOOK REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY!

BACK COVER: 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 -- his 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 discovered head on, no matter how painful. But will that be enough to save their lives and heal their tattered hearts?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Vicki Hinze is an award winning author of 23 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 on the International Thriller Writers Board of Directors. Vicki lives in Florida with her artist husband, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. Visit www.vickihinze.com to learn more about Vicki's books, blogs, and writing program.

MY TAKE: I had not read any of Vicki Hinze's books before this one. I did not know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. In writing I've heard so many times how important it is to start your book in the proper place. Be sure and hook your reader right away with something exciting - not too much back story to start with. Well, I would say that Vicki has this goal down pat. She had me hooked from the beginning. There was non-stop action and many twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. If you like a page turner then you will love Vicki's book "Forget Me Not" which you can find at Water Brook Multnoman.com.

To be entered in the giveaway please: (remember this is a slightly used book) you can leave all of these in one post

1. be a follower or sign up as a new follower and leave an email address

2. visit Vicki's website at www.vickihinze.com

3. let me know what you think about blogs that review Christian books - are they helpful and what would you like to see more of.

Ends April 24th, 2010

Void where prohibited;Open to US residents only. Odds of winning depends on the number of entrants.

What Is A Reviewer/Influencer

There has been a lot of talk lately on the American Christian Fiction Writers newsgroup about the definition of reviewer and/or influencer. This is a very debated subject as are many on the newsgroup. When you have a lot of people giving opinions you will have almost as many different opinions as people. That is human nature or as Ches McCartney a.k.a. The Goatman would say, "That's just human environment." If you don't know who The Goatman is look him up on facebook - you will get a kick out of this wonderful character of God's.

Back to the discussion of reviewer vs. influencer. I have been what some would consider both. I review books for WaterBrookMulnoman.com who has graciously given me the book "Forget Me Not" to read and review. These books come from the publisher and they will give you a review copy and a giveaway copy if you want to participate in the giveaway. Since I have just started doing giveaways I have decided to give away my reviewers copy so we can recycle books. Some people would consider a review of a book telling the good and the bad and the ugly. And this might be true. When I first started reviewing I came upon this dilemma pretty quick. I was stumped as what to do. After thinking about the situation I've decided that I will only write a review of a book that I enjoyed reading and think others would enjoy. The reasons are: I know how much works goes into writing a book - any book and I do not want to downgrade another writer's work - I don't feel professional enough for that. Another reason is we all have different likes and dislikes in books and genres and this makes it extremely hard to be impartial. What one person hates another might love. Therefore, that is how I made my decision.

An influencer is a person that the author asked to read their book and influence others to read it as well. Usually, influencers have read the author before and would love to help promote their books. You might blog about it, go to book sites and write a review, maybe send out postcards to your friends, etc. Anything to get the word out that the author has a new book on the horizon.

Both reviewers/influencers are usually provided with a book to keep for the time and effort they have put into helping spread the word. To sum it up: You won't see a book on my blog that I didn't like or that I just couldn't get through reading it. That is how you will know what I truly feel about a book. If you see it I liked it - or someone else did! I hope this explanation helped a little and did not confuse you more. LOL Now on to the next review!

More Glitters at CoolGenerators.com

Jackie is the winner of "Here Burns My Candle" by Liz Curtis Higgs and

Deborah is the winner of "Double Trouble"

The names were chosen by using Random.org and I will contact you to get your snail mail address.

Congratulations to both of these ladies. I really appreciate everyone stopping by and supporting my blog. As you can see I am now up to 50 followers. Yea! I've had so much fun doing these two giveaways and meeting new people I plan on having more in the near future so be on the lookout.

HAPPY READING!

"Double Trouble" by Susan May Warren Review and Giveaway

NOTE: BE SURE AND SCROLL DOWN TO THE REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY FOR "HERE BURNS MY CANDLE" BY LIZ CURTIS HIGGS ENDING ON MARCH 31, 2010. DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN THIS WONDERFUL BOOK!

Back Cover: PJ Sugar has finally found something she's good at. Now he is trying not to mess it up. Her first official case as a private investigator -- well, technically a P. I's assistant -- is house sitting for a witness in protective custody. No danger involved, assures her boss Jeremy Kane, much to PJ's disappointment.

At least PJ can take the next 10 days to figure out the rest of her life... Especially whether or not she would accept Detective Boone Buckam's marriage proposal. But one break in by a late night prowler is enough to put Boone's request on hold send PJ's sleuthing skills into overdrive. Clearly the witness is hiding something... And it may cost PJ her life.

About The Author: Susan May Warren is the RITA Award-winning author of more than 25 novels. She spent eight years as a missionary in Russia with her husband and four children before returning to Minnesota's North Shore to write full-time. She loves vanilla lattes and hang out with friends, and she's always on the lookout for a great story. Visit her website at www.Susan May Warren. com.

My Take: My favorite genre of books is a good cozy mystery. But, my next favorite would definitely be suspense/P. I. Susan May Warren's Double Trouble is a light-- hearted P.I. mystery starring the one and only PJ Sugar. PJ has come home to Kellogg, Minnesota, after a tumultuous young adulthood and is ready to prove to those around her that she can take care of herself. Unfortunately, the harder she tries to faster she falls. PJ finds herself in one predicament after another. The good thing about this is that there are two men in her life who seem to be there whenever she needs them to rescue her. Her high school boyfriend, Daniel "Boone" Buckham has renewed his love for her and has asked for her hand in marriage. PJ is thrilled, but this does not come without conditions. Boone wants PJ to give up her PI job because he thinks it's too dangerous for her. This is definitely a dilemma for PJ.

Then again, there is Jeremy Kane, her boss. If PJ loves Boone, then why does she care so much about what Jeremy thinks? Why is she trying so hard to show him that she will make a great PI? Does she hold a secret torch for Jeremy that she isn't even aware of? He doesn't seem to feel the same about her - or does he? Which one of these men will catch PJ's heart - or will either one? You will have to read Double Trouble to find out for yourself!!!!!! I would say definitely a four-star read.

Happy Reading!

I've had so much fun with the giveaway for Liz's "Here Burns My Candle" that I've decided to do the same with Susan's book, "Double Trouble." Once again I have read this book, but it looks great! What better way to recycle books than to let someone else enjoy them instead of sitting on my shelf unread! I would love for someone to read about PJ Sugar's antics and be able to laugh for just a while.

To Enter:

Be a follower or sign up as a new follower. Be sure and let me know.

Visit Susan's web site.

Let me know if you have read any of Susan's books and also what is your favorite genre.

Ends March 31, 2010

Void where prohibited;Open to US residents only. Odds of winning depends on the number of entrants.

"Here Burns My Candle" by Liz Curtis Higgs Blog Tour and Book Giveaway!

I met Liz many years ago at a Womans Health Day in our north Georgia community. I will never, never forget her testimony and her story as a young woman struggling to find her way in life. She has a wonderful sense of humor and we all laughed until we cried during her talk. One of her earliest books was about this journey she traveled. Let me tell you that Liz has been an encouragement to many woman (me included) by sharing some painful lessons she learned. If you don't already know Liz I hope you will take the opportunity to learn more about her.

Lady Elisabeth Kerr is a keeper of secrets. A Highlander by birth and a Lowlander by marriage, she honors the auld ways, even as doubts and fears stir deep within her.
Her husband, Lord Donald, has secrets of his own, well hidden from the household, yet whispered among the town gossips.
His mother, the dowager Lady Marjory, hides gold beneath her floor and guilt inside her heart. Though her two abiding passions are maintaining her place in society and coddling her grown sons, Marjory’s many regrets, buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, continue to plague her.
One by one the Kerr family secrets begin to surface, even as bonny Prince Charlie and his rebel army ride into Edinburgh in September 1745, intent on capturing the crown.
A timeless story of love and betrayal, loss and redemption, flickering against the vivid backdrop of eighteenth-century Scotland, Here Burns My Candleillumines the dark side of human nature, even as hope, the brightest of tapers, lights the way home.

LIZ CURTIS HIGGS is the author of twenty-seven books with three million copies in print, including: her best-selling historical novels, Thorn in My Heart, Fair Is the Rose, Christy Award-winner Whence Came a Prince, and Grace in Thine Eyes, a Christy Award finalist; My Heart’s in the Lowlands: Ten Days in Bonny Scotland, an armchair travel guide to Galloway; and her contemporary novels, Mixed Signals, a Rita Award finalist, and Bookends, a Christy Award finalist. Visit the author’s extensive website at www.lizcurtishiggs.com.

My Take on Here Burns My Candle: When I first began reading this book I thought there is no way I will be able to finish - it was just too hard to get used to the difference in the language. Now I can say that I am so, so thankful that I hung in there and read all the way through. It is a wonderful book that will transfer you to a different place and a different time - Edinburgh, 1745. Of course, customs were much different then than they are now, but the human emotions, desires and needs transcends all times which you will discover through getting to know the main character Lady Elisabeth Kerr and her husband Lord Donald and his family. You will have the opportunity to watch a bond grow between Lady Elisabeth Kerr and her mother-in-law Lady Marjory. You might even find some similarities to the story of Ruth. By the time I finished reading this wonderful book I found myself thinking in the Highlander language. You just might, too! Please take this opportunity to visit Liz Curtis Higgs website. Also, take a moment to hop on over to You Tube and check out the trailer for Here Burns My Candle.

Giveaway: This will be my very first giveaway on my blog. WaterBrook Multnomah publishing provided a reviewers copy to me. I did not request an extra copy, but after I finished reading this I wanted to share it with someone else. So I would like to give my slightly used copy of Here Burns My Candle to someone. Here are the requirements to be entered so please let me know:

1. leave an email address

2. visit Liz's website

3. let me know if you are familiar with Liz's writings or have heard her speak

4. sign up as a follower

Good Luck and if you don't win please check out the publishers website where you can find out how to order the book! Contest ends March 31, 2010.

Void where prohibited;Open to US residents only. Odds of winning depends on the number of entrants.