A Hodgepodge with Another Giveaway!

UPDATE: WINNER!
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Timestamp: 2011-02-06 22:43:29 UTC
Congrats to Michelle! Email me your address, Michelle, and I'll send the certificate for the free book your way.

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Is that Punxsutawney Joyce's shadow I see, meaning this fr-fr-frigid weather will be staying while?! No, it's just the Wednesday Hodgepodge bursting across the blogosphere to warm our stiff fingers by giving us something to type!

1. Would you rather be seen as a person who did their duty or forged their own path?

There are plenty of pre-made paths that I am oh-so-happy to choose from. Unless I'm baking, I see no point in doing anything from scratch. I'd say more but duty calls. . . .

2. This week's Wednesday Hodgepodge happens to fall on Groundhog's Day. In keeping with that theme, if you could have a do-over of any one day out of the last seven, which day would it be and why. If you haven't seen the movie Groundhog Day this question will make absolutely no sense but that's okay....you can answer anyway.

You thought my question was going to be weather related didn't you?

You think I can even remember what I did every day of the past seven days?!

3. Hot cocoa...yay or nay on the marshmallows?

A few mini marshmallows are okay but not mandatory. Especially since I make it with fat-free milk and it doesn't get that disgusting layer across the top. That was so gross when I was a kid!

4. Do you wear makeup every day? What are the top two must haves in your daily makeup routine?

Most days, yes. I really get annoyed if I have to wear it on Saturdays though. I definitely need a little mascara and eyeliner if I don't want to look like I've been sick for those last seven days that I can't remember.

5. Is it more important to you in a relationship to be loved or understood?

If you just understand me, you might not love me. But if you love me, the chances are greater that you'll understand me. Or else it won't matter as much

Understand?

6. Parsley sage rosemary or thyme... your favorite?

Whichever one does NOT get that annoying song on an endless loop in my brain!

7. What do you do when you feel angry?

Have conversations in my head. Unfortunately, they tend not to be of a prayerful nature.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have a very special autographed giveaway going on here. (I added a note to the top of that giveaway post last night.) And keep reading for yet another giveaway!





Jerry B. Jenkins has written a fabulous new suspense novel, and I have a giveaway for one of you!

The Brotherhood
Jerry B. Jenkins
(Tyndale)
ISBN: 978-1-4143-0922-4
February, 2011/384 pages/$14.99

Boone Drake has it made. He’s a young cop rising rapidly through the ranks of the Chicago Police Department. He has a beautiful wife and a young son, a nice starter house, a great partner, and a career plan that should land him in the Organized Crime Division within five years. Everything is going right. Until everything goes horribly, terribly wrong. His personal life destroyed and his career and future in jeopardy, Boone buries himself in guilt and bitterness as his life spirals out of control. But when he comes face-to-face with the most vicious gang leader Chicago has seen in decades, he begins to realize that God is a God of second chances and can change the hardest heart . . . and forgive the worst of crimes. A thought-provoking police thriller from New York Times best-selling author Jerry B. Jenkins.

MY THOUGHTS:
This is actually the first Jerry B. Jenkins book I have read and it absolutely captivated my interest from page one; I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!. Boone's experiences bring to mind the old sports intro "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat." How quickly life can go from one to the other in the blink of an eye. When Boone's world is rocked to the core, he isn't sure of anything anymore, especially what he thinks about God. His emotions and questions are raw and honest and pulsate throughout the novel. Woven throughout this fast-paced story of the battle against gangs and organized crime in Chicago is the story of an even bigger spiritual battle that Boone--and all of us--face, as well as the message that God freely offers forgiveness to all who call upon Him. As for the ending. . . well, let me just say that enough was resolved to tide me over until the next book in this series, and enough left dangling to leave me eager for more!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jerry B. Jenkins, former vice president for publishing at Moody Bible Institute of Chicago and currently chairman of the board of trustees, is the author of more than 175 books, including the best-selling Left Behind series. Twenty of his books have reached the New York Times Best Sellers List (seven in the number-one spot) and have also appeared on the USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal best-seller lists. Desecration, book nine in the Left Behind series, was the best-selling book in the world in 2001. His books have sold nearly 70 million copies.

Also the former editor of Moody magazine, his writing has appeared in Time, Reader's Digest, Parade, Guideposts, Christianity Today and dozens of other periodicals. He was featured on the cover of Newsweek magazine in 2004.

His nonfiction books include as-told-to biographies with Hank Aaron, Bill Gaither, Orel Hershiser, Luis Palau, Joe Gibbs, Walter Payton, and Nolan Ryan among many others. The Hershiser and Ryan books reached the New York Times Best Sellers List.

Jenkins assisted Dr. Billy Graham with his autobiography, Just As I Am, also a New York Times best seller. Jerry spent 13 months working with Dr. Graham, which he considers the privilege of a lifetime.

Jerry Jenkins also owns the Christian Writers Guild, which aims to train tomorrow's professional Christian writers. Under Jerry's leadership, the guild has expanded to include college-credit courses, a critique service, literary registration services, and writing contests, as well as an annual conference. See www.ChristianWritersGuild.com.

Visit Jerry's blog at www.jerryjenkins.com.



GIVEAWAY!* * * * *GIVEAWAY!* * * * *GIVEAWAY!

Tyndale has graciously provided me with a gift certificate for one of you to be redeemed for a free copy of this book. The certificate can be redeemed at your local Christian bookstore or if no store is available, mailed directly to Tyndale who will mail you your book. To enter this random drawing, leave a comment on this post by 8:00 pm CDT Saturday (2/5/11). A winner will be chosen using the random number generator. US residents only, please.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”