Disclosure: I received this book to review. Opinions shared are mine.

Set in the Civil War, A Thousand Shall Fall is a three-dimensional romance. Author Andrea Boeshaar gives both of her main characters a fully developed past, which makes them so realistic that you can almost imagine them as people in your social circle. It took me a while to really get into the book, probably due to the extensive details Boeshaar included to set the stage for the story. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received product samples; opinions shared are mine.

Remember that commercial from the 70’s…..a little girl wakes up to the smell of brewing coffee and knows that her big brother is home from college.  I loved that commercial!   Although I do finally drink coffee these days (a must with my long commute), my palate is still very selective about my drink. It has to taste good; I can’t stop at the gas station and drink whatever they have on the hot plate.  Making my own coffee at home is more about preference in flavor rather than saving money, although the latter is a bonus, too!  New Mexico Piñon Coffee arrived at my doorstep, and it was love at first sip.  I was able to try three of their delicious flavor varieties.  One lucky reader will win A Breakfast for Two box, valued at $39.99 in the Happy Holidays Hop!  [Read more…]

Disclosure: I am a FlyBy blogger; opinions shared are mine.

We started listening to Christmas songs this week. My kids love belting out the holiday music on our morning commute. Are you the same way? Chris Tomlin’s ADORE album combines the best of worship music with beloved Christmas songs. Just like my family, you’ll want to sing along with Chris Tomlin while welcoming the holidays.
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Disclosure: I received this book to review; post contains affiliate links. Opinions shared are mine.

Preparing for the Christmas season is often a whirlwind of activity. Decorating the tree, making meals, and wrapping gifts seem to dominate my time. This year, though, I’d like to prepare my heart first. Getting into the spirit of the season requires more than twinkling lights and pretty music. Instead, the days prior to Christmas will be blessed with prayer and meditation. I’m making an effort to focus on the real reason I celebrate the holiday, which is to draw closer to Jesus. The Christmas Story in 40 Days is an efficient alternative to the traditional advent calendar. Consider implementing it in your calendar this year! [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received these books to review. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

Your 5th grade teacher might have told you not to choose a book by its cover, but she wasn’t living in the real world.  Book covers are like looking at an appealing meal.  They are your first experience with a book!  Even in early grades, children learn to look at the front (and back) cover of a book to make predictions about the contents.  My husband often asks me what I want to do when I retire from teaching. I’ve always said I want to plant a huge garden where kids can come and pick whatever they want……but never thought about what I’d do for fun in the “off season.”  Now I know.  I want to dream up book covers!  Today, I’m featuring three books that are lovely on the inside, but absolutely stunning on the outside. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I am a FlyBy blogger; post contains affiliate links. Opinions shared are mine.

My husband rises early to spend time with God each day. Typically, he reads a few chapters from the Bible and covers his day in prayer. When he recently packed for a business trip, I noticed that he wasn’t planning to abandon this practice even though he would be out of town. His bag was packed with a priority item sitting right on top of the suitcase.

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Welcome to the Thankful for You giveaway hop! If you’re not a blogger, you may not realize how much gratitude bloggers feel toward their readers. I started blogging with an audience of exactly ZERO. It’s been a wonderful journey, and I’m appreciative of every visit and comment my readers make on my site. Since this is a book giveaway hop, I’m going out on a limb by guessing that many of you have books wasting away on your shelves. For me, PaperBack Swap helped me to get out from under my piles of books, while enjoying new ones from my wish list. If this sounds great to you, sign up using my referral link. I hope that PaperBack Swap can save you money, too!

There is a free option with PBS — it’s called A La Carte.  That’s the one I use.  You only pay if you request a book from another member, and even then the cost is just 49-cents + one book credit.   If you choose to go with the Standard Membership, you might as well get $3 off, too.   Earn extra book credits by swapping books off your own shelf.  You only pay the postage for those books that other members request, which typically runs around $3.25 for the books I mail out.  It’s fun to see how the books from my shelves have traveled all over the country to different readers.  PaperBack Swap has been much more affordable for me than a used bookstore, because the more popular titles are still only one credit.

To help you get started on your swaps, the winner of this giveaway will win $5 Paypal cash.  The giveaway is open to all readers ages 18+ who can accept Paypal (void where prohibited by law.)  Good luck!

Disclosure: I received these books to review. Opinions shared are mine. Post contains affiliate links.

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve enjoyed several books with widely different plots.  The biggest connection they all have is that they’re deep in relationship baggage.  The heavier mood seems to fit the strange weather we’ve had recently.  If you’re wondering what to read this weekend, think about one of these titles!

Another Way Home is a new title in the Chicory Inn series. This time we learn more about Danae and Dallas, a childless couple who struggles with their infertility.  It was interesting to see how Audrey and Grant reacted to the dynamics of their daughters’ relationship.   [Read more…]