Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you send Christmas cards? If so about how many will you send this year? How do you display the cards you receive? Or don't you? (gasp!)

Yes, usually around 100. I have a wire sleigh I put the cards in that we receive.

2. When do kids become adults?

In stages. Step 1 occurs when they are 18 and graduate from high school, with the final stage occurring when they are financially independent, which for our kids will be when they graduate from college. Or have had sufficient opportunities to do so!

3. Does your 'beauty regimen' change with the seasons?

Absolutely. I don't shave as much in the winter!

4. What's something you like to eat that might cause another person to turn up their nose?

I'm a lot pickier than my man, so it's hard to imagine what it would be. Everyone has something they like that someone else doesn't, but I don't think I like anything particularly weird.

5. Gloves or mittens?

Gloves, hands down. (Pun intended!) Mittens would make my fingers claustrophobic and seem highly impractical. How in the world can you do anything?!

6. What's the longest queue you've ever been in? Was it worth it? Queue=line but doesn't queue sound nicer?

One time in college I camped out for football tickets for a big game. It was inside the stadium, on the ramps, and was somewhat of a tradition. It was worth it at the time, but I wouldn't do it now.

7. Besides Christmas, what is one thing you are looking forward to in the month of December?

The school break - my boy will be home from college! And the alarm not going off so early!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I love Christmas music! It makes me smile to turn on the radio and hear the old classics by Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole & Perry Como, as well as the beloved old carols and the newer songs proclaiming the beauty of this holy season. Joy to the world! Let heaven and nature sing!

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Lost Melody

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Lost Melody Zondervan (October 25, 2011) by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Lori lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband Lance. Lance and Lori have three sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. Lance and Lori are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.

Lori began her writing career in 1982, writing for the secular book market. In 1995, after many years of writing, Lori sensed that God was calling her to use her gift of writing to honor Him. It was at that time that Lori began writing for the Christian book market. To date, she has had over 100 books published.

Virginia Smith is the author of more than a dozen Christian novels and over fifty articles and short stories. Her books have been named finalists in the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year Award, and ACFW's Carol Award.

A Certified Lay Speaker for the United Methodist Church, Ginny's messages are always well-received by a variety of audiences in conferences, retreats and churches across the country. When she isn't writing or speaking, Ginny and her husband, Ted, enjoy exploring the extremes of nature – snow skiing in the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City, motorcycle riding on the curvy roads in central Kentucky, and scuba diving in the warm waters of Mexico and the Caribbean.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The beautiful piano sitting in the corner of Jill King's apartment begs to be played. For over a year, it has sat untouched, ever since a terrible accident shattered Jill's ambition of becoming a concert pianist. The ragged scar on her left hand is a cruel and constant reminder of the death of her dream. But another dream is about to come to life---an unexpected, horrifying dream that will present Jill with a responsibility she never wanted. And choices she never wanted to make. Hundreds of lives depend on Jill's willingness to warn her small, oceanside town in Nova Scotia of a nameless, looming disaster. But doing so could cost Jill her reputation, jeopardize the political career of the man she loves, and ruin their plans for a future together. The fate of an entire community hangs in the balance as Jill wrestles with the cost of heeding one still, small voice.


If you would like to read a chapter excerpt of Lost Melody, go HERE.

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Wrap-Up of the Giving Thanks Challenge

I always like to wrap up my participation in the Giving Thanks Challenge with a summary post containing my entire list. Most years, I've continued throughout the entire month of November. This year, I decided to stop with Thanksgiving Day. There was no particular reason for that other than the fact that for me, it is important to avoid getting caught up in always doing things exactly the same, lest it become legalistic. While there are still plenty of things for which I am grateful, I could tell that I was starting to view continuing to the end of the month as a task to be done, so I decided to shake it up a little bit so it would remain fresh and meaningful.

Here are the things that had particular meaning for me this month and made me pause and give thanks.

1. Friends
2. Grace
3. Books
4. A warm house
5. Music
6. My church family
7. The Bible
8. My daddy (now in heaven)
9. Joy & laughter
10. Medicine
11. Our veterans
12. Weekends
13. Memories
14. My washer & dryer
15. Rain!
16. The promise of heaven
17. Sunglasses!
18. Grocery stores
19. My man
20. Worship
21. Unexpected blessings
22. Bonds between believers
24. The goodness of the Lord

Thanks so much to Leah at South Breeze Farm for once again hosting this. I love how it makes me more cognizant of the big things and the little things that are so easily taken for granted as I go about my days.

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GIVEAWAY DEADLINE EXTENDED!

The deadline for entries for the giveaway for God's Promises for the Teacher has been extended to tomorrow night (Monday, 11/28/11). Click here for details and to enter!

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TSMSS - Light the Christmas Tree!

I've shared a song or two of Evie Tornquist Karlsson's on previous editions of TSMSS. Back in the mid-1970's she was probably the first Christian singer I ever listened to and had an album of. This is from her Christmas album and was always one of my favorites. I was so excited to discover that Evie has recently uploaded some of the songs from this album to YouTube. I tried to find several of them last year and couldn't. This is a great song to kick off the season!



Visit Amy's for more songs!

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A Marriage Carol

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Marriage Carol Moody Publishers (September 1, 2011) by Chris Fabry and Gary Chapman

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

CHRIS FABRY is a graduate of W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and Moody bible Institute's Advanced Studies Program. Chris can be heard daily on Love Worth Finding, featuring the teaching of the late Dr. Adrian Rogers. He received the 2008 "Talk Personality of the Year" Award from the National Religious Broadcasters. He has published more than 60 books since 1995, many of them fiction for younger readers. Chris collaborated with Jerry B. Jenkins and Dr. Tim LaHaye on the children's series Left Behind: The Kids. His two novels for adults, Dogwood and June Bug, are published by Tyndale House Publishers. Chris is married to his wife Andrea and they have five daughters and four sons.

GARY CHAPMAN is the author of the bestselling Five Love Languages series and the director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants, Inc. Gary travels the world presenting seminars, and his radio program airs on more than 400 stations.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

On Christmas Eve twenty years earlier, Marlee and Jacob were married in a snowstorm.   This Christmas Eve, they are ready to quit, divorce is imminent. Their relationship is as icy as the road they’re traveling and as blocked with troubles as the piling snow. They take a shortcut to get to the lawyer’s office, on a slippery, no-fault path. She thinks they need to stay on the main road. He disagrees. They fight. Story of their lives and they slam into a bank of snow , spinning, drifting, falling, out of control. Just like their lives. Reluctantly, freezing cold, hungry, scared, she trudges up the hill. Paul is nowhere to be found. Her ears frozen, fingers and hands red, she comes to a house on the hillside, built like a Bed and Breakfast, a green wreath on the red door and the door-knocker is in the shape of a wedding ring.

The red door opens and the first thing she notices is the fire in the room, blazing hot, a warm, inviting, friendly place and the voice of an old man welcomes her in. There are three golden pots on the hearth, shining, glimmering things. The old man claims that they are used to restore marriages. She laughs—and begins a journey through her past, present, and future that will test how she views her lifelong love. There are two futures available. Which will she choose?

If you would like to read the first chapter excerpt of A Marriage Carol, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS:
As with several reviews lately, this book hasn't arrived yet, but I remembered that I received an unedited advance copy in Atlanta in July, so I was able to read that. It's a touching novella and an encouragement that even when a marriage seems to be beyond repair, one should never give up or throw in the proverbial towel. Although set at Christmas, this would be an excellent read any time of year for couples contemplating divorce.

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Happy Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving Hodgepodge

1. Let's start with something controversial...dressing or stuffing? What's it called at your house and what's included in your recipe...cornbread? oysters? sausage? chestnuts?

Cornbread dressing. Not stuffed in anything but our mouths. And I had never even heard of putting oysters or sausage or chestnuts or any other weird stuff like that in it until I was adult. You Yankees just keep that stuff up north. In the South we like our cornbread dressing.

2. Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?

A non-existent picture of perfection.

3. When were you last inside an airport?

About ten days ago, when I went to pick someone up.

4. What is one side dish that absolutely must be included in a turkey dinner?

Cornbread dressing. I get it once a year and I savor every bite.

5. What Christmas song do you dread hearing?

I can't think of one right now, but I know there is one. I really hate flippant sacrilegious songs about Christ's birth.

6. If someone approaches you and asks for money do you give it to them? Do you drop money 'in a tin cup' that belongs to a person on the street? Do you have a specific charity you support during the holiday season and/or year round?

No on the spur-of-the-moment handouts. I've never been one for supporting "charities." We do give to ministries, however, throughout the year and at Christmas.

7. Share a favorite Thanksgiving memory. If you live in a country that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving share a favorite memory associated with food.

Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on TV as a child, eating turkey, and the annual Texas vs. Texas A&M game on TV.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

As I count my blessings this year, I'm thankful for the friends I've made through blogging. Thanks for joining me in the journey!

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Promise Brides

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Promise Brides Barbour Books (November 1, 2011) by S. Dionne Moore

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

S. Dionne Moore resides in South Central PA with her family. She is a weekly contributor to The Borrowed Book where she posts tips on the writing life, recipes, and teaches on various writing-related subjects. In addition to writing cozy mysteries, she pens historical romances that bring strong focus to locales within her region of Pennsylvania as a way of indulging her passion for history. In Fall of 2011 her first of three romances set in Wyoming, A Sheepherder's Song, will release.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Love is the same, no matter when, no matter where—it never comes without sacrifice. Theodore risks capture for Ellie, but will their hope for a future together be defeated? Can Marylu trust Chester, or is she asking for another broken heart? Will Alaina and Jack find common ground, or will flood waters destroy any possible future? Enjoy three romances from the historic state of Pennsylvania.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Promise Brides, go HERE.



This book has not arrived so I am unable to provide a review.

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10 Tips for Setting a Beautiful Holiday Table

Drawing from a rich family history and her own collection of acclaimed designs, California-based interior designer Roxanne Packham has joined with her teenage daughter Hannah to create Inspired Design (Inspired Design Publications), an idea-provoking book filled with stunning photographs, treasured family traditions and a plethora of truly inspirational tips for creating a warm and welcoming home, not just throughout the holiday season, but every day to follow.

Whether seeking unique ways to entertain for the upcoming holidays, celebrate with friends, begin new family traditions or showcase the family history, talents and passions in the home’s interior design, the Packhams have shown the way. In doing so, they have utilized the beautifully structured pages of Inspired Design to reveal the classic truth that any home is made more beautiful when it is filled with love, joy and the determination to make those who enter it feel welcomed.

10 Tips for Setting a Beautiful Holiday Table
By Roxanne Hughes Packham,
Co-Author of the Hospitality Book: Inspired Design

In today’s rough economic climate, keep in mind that although I hope to inspire you to set a beautiful Thanksgiving or Christmas table the real beauty comes from the thought and love you show your friends and family. Beautiful tables comprise equal parts from the “Inspired” & the “Design” categories. See examples: http://www.inspireddesignpublications.blogspot.com/.

INSPIRED
Place cards
I love to use the ceramic place cards that can be written on with a wipe-off marker. You can quickly write people’s names, a favorite quote or sentiment. Friends love that you thought about them before the dinner and even something as simple as writing their names on the place cards really makes them feel remembered.

Welcome Sign
It is so welcoming, to have a sign somewhere near the front door to greet your family and friends. From a very personal “Welcome Smith Family” or a seasonal “Merry Christmas” to “We are so glad you are here” on a casual chalkboard or an elegant mirror or glass framed, and write with a wipe-off marker, that welcome sets the tone for the rest of the event. I used an antique French cupboard door and painted it with chalkboard paint on the raised panel part.

Quote or Scripture
The most inspirational part of the Holiday table is the beautiful quotes and scriptures. It depends on the occasion, but a quote that is either inspiring or focused on gratitude is the favorite. There is nothing like feasting your eyes, and then your thoughts, on what we can be thankful for, especially as an example for our children. Scattering them around the home (powder room, end tables, above door jam’s) is a great way to elevate your family and friends thoughts.

DESIGN
Fresh Greenery
Sometimes we mistakenly think a tabletop has to have flowers as a centerpiece to be really elegant and festive. Greenery is a wonderful, fresh and festive way to make a beautiful Christmas table. Simply cut a few small twigs of trees/bushes like pine or ivy, or my favorite boxwood branches, bay tree and magnolia leaves and put them in three smaller glass or crystal vases.

Candles
No table is complete, in my opinion, with 5 to 7 little glass votives with white candles in them. The light sparkles and makes everything else on the table more beautiful and sets a soft, relaxing, often more romantic tone.

Seasonal Piece
By seasonal I suggest a “Santa” figurine or such, a gingerbread house, or a standing cross to have in the center of the table. A clear jar of candy canes, M&M’s or such would do just fine, as well. Think: Something available only at this time of year. I usually have plenty of items in the Holiday Decor that I switch out to put on the table for each dinner.

Napkin Rings
These can be such a pretty way to pull a linen napkin through to set on a place and make a really beautiful table setting. You can use french ribbons, or plain silver rings and they help to really make a bigger impact for an inspiring table.

Sparkling Glasses
Whether crystal or glass, tall freshly washed glass sparkle so much with the votive candles that it is hard to wrong with this combo. A tall glass and short glass of whatever kind you like is very dramatic and beautiful, set together. Whether colored or clear the sparkle is crucial for the holiday table.

White Plates
Although I love to use seasonal chargers and salad plates a crisp white plate is the most beautiful element to my favorite tables. They can be dressed up or down, and makes each setting look fresh and not heavy and overdone.

Seasonal Linens
Of course, linen napkins add the most wonderful touch of elegance to any table, and Christmas plaid or red and green are no exception. My grandfather, who was a “Silversmith to the Stars”, loved a bare table with only plates (or placemats) but wasn’t a fan of covering a beautiful wood table. I have followed suit. Try leaving the wood table bare! The natural elements together is beautiful and simple.

“I tell you, the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” ~ Vincent Van Gogh


Guest blog provided by The B&B Media Group and Inspired Design.

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Great Teacher Gift - Plus a Giveaway!

God’s Promises® for the Teacher
Jack Countryman
(Thomas Nelson)
ISBN: 978-1400318391
September 2011/128 pages/Hardback Gift Edition/$9.99
Scripture promises from the New King James® Version offer timeless guidance and wisdom for teachers.

Every teacher is given the opportunity to touch the lives of students who they are privileged to influence and guide through the educational process. God’s Promises® for Teachers has been designed to help teachers become aware of how God has specifically created His Word to demonstrate His love, care, and compassion. With 45 topics that address the needs of every teacher, this book will truly bring comfort and joy to educators around the world.

An inspirational gift for students to encourage teachers as they influence the future generation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jack Countryman is the founder of JCountryman Gift Books, a division of Thomas Nelson Publishers. His 30-plus years in Christian publishing have allowed him the opportunity to help create and develop bestselling gift books such as God’s Promises® for Your Every Need, God’s Promises® for Men, and God’s Promises® for Women.

MY THOUGHTS:
With Christmas just around the corner, this is a great gift for the teacher in your life. Each time he or she opens this book to one of its many mini-chapters, he/she will be reminded that God Promises His. . .Peace, Forgiveness, Grace, Presence, Spirit, Comfort, and so many more. Interspersed are several poems and thoughts about teachers. Give your child's teacher a gift that will keep giving all year! These would also make great stocking stuffers for a family member who is a teacher.

GIVEAWAY:
The publisher has graciously offered a giveaway of this book to one of my readers. To enter, just fill out the entry form below and then leave a comment on this post by 8:00 pm CST del>Sunday, 11/27/11 Monday 11/28/11 and I will draw a name. US residents only, please.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson 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.”

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Christmas in Sugarcreek

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Christmas In Sugarcreek Avon Inspire (October 25, 2011) by Shelley Shepard Gray

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Since 2000, Shelley Sabga has sold over thirty novels to numerous publishers, including HarperCollins, Harlequin, and Abingdon Press. She has been interviewed by NPR, and her books have been highlighted in numerous publications, including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.

Under the name Shelley Shepard Gray, Shelley writes Amish romances for HarperCollins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire. Her recent novel, The Protector, the final book in her “Families of Honor” series, hit the New York Times List, and her previous novel in the same series, The Survivor, appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Shelley has won the prestigious Holt Medallion for her books, Forgiven and Grace, and her novels have been chosen as Alternate Selections for the Doubleday/Literary Guild Book Club. Her first novel with Avon Inspire, Hidden, was an Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two children in college, and is an active member of her church. She serves on committees, volunteers in the church office, and currently leads a Bible study group, and she looks forward to the opportunity to continue to write novels that showcase her Christian ideals.

When she’s not writing, Shelley often attends conferences and reader retreats in order to give workshops and publicize her work. She’s attended RWA’s national conference six times, the ACFW conference and Romantic Times Magazine’s annual conference as well as traveled to New Jersey, Birmingham, and Tennessee to attend local conferences.

Check out Shelley's Facebook Fan page


ABOUT THE BOOK

Judith Graber has always been the obedient daughter. When her older brother Josh struggled with his love life, she offered wise counsel. When her younger brother Caleb flirted with the idea of leaving their order, she firmly told him he was wrong. Over the years, she’s watched her younger siblings, helped around the house, and worked in her family’s store during her spare time. Judith feels overworked, overlooked, and underappreciated this holiday season.

But everything changes when her father hires Ben Knox.

Ben Knox is the “bad boy” of Sugarcreek. Though he’s never considered jumping the fence, he’s certainly never tried to be anything close to dutiful. Two years ago he left Sugarcreek under a cloud of shame. Rumors circulated that his rumspringa had been filled with more than the usual harmless explorations.

Now he’s back and working side by side with Judith.

As the chaos of the holiday season threatens to sap all joy, sparks fly between Ben and Judith. But Judith steels herself to ignore her infatuation. The last thing she wants to be is just one more girl who falls under Ben’s spell. Ben, on the other hand, wants Judith to realize there’s more to him than his bad reputation. When he fled Sugarcreek, he was running from a disruptive home life. Now that he’s back, he wants a fresh beginning.

Could this Christmas season bring love and a new life for the unlikeliest pair in Sugarcreek?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Christmas In Sugarcreek, go HERE.


ABOUT THE BOOK

I enjoyed the Sugarcreek series that Shelley Shepard Gray wrote last year so it was especially enjoyable to read about Christmas in Sugarcreek. Judith may be my favorite character out of all of the ones featured in this delightful Amish community. And Ben's longing to be seen for who he really was, rather than who people expected him to be, tugged at my heart. Interwoven throughout their stories were those of the characters from the earlier Sugarcreek books, and it was fun to catch up with them and see where their lives and choices have led them. If you haven't read the entire series, you will be able to enjoy this book as a stand-alone Christmas novella, but I suspect you'll want to stay in Sugarcreek awhile and get to know these lovely folks!

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TSMSS - Thankful

Yesterday for the Giving Thanks Challenge I stated how thankful I was for grocery stores! I had been thinking that, as much as I love reading about the historical days of yore, I'm thankful that I don't have to raise and kill and/or can my own food or make separate trips to "the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker!" Yet, for those of us who live far removed from the farmlands that provide our food, I do think it is easy to lose the sense of dependence on God during the cycle of sowing and harvesting and miss that feeling of rejoicing when the harvest is safely brought in for another year. I always laughed at how my dad was so fixated on the weather, but he grew up on a farm and knew how quickly the weather could destroy a crop.

I love this old hymn that is associated with Thanksgiving, although it quickly transitions from the fall harvest into God's harvest of His people. The words are beautiful, and I love this college choir's rendition.

May we have grateful hearts for the abundance of the harvest we see every week when we do our grocery shopping! And may we spend as much time thinking about the spiritual harvest as we do thinking about the food we put in our bellies!

COME, YE THANKFUL PEOPLE, COME

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, in Thy garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come, raise the glorious harvest home.

WORDS: Henry Alford, 1844
MUSIC: George J. Elvey, 1858

You'll find more music at Amy's.

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The Long Trail Home

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Long Trail Home Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (November 1, 2011) by Vickie McDonough

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Vickie McDonough is an award-winning author of twenty-four books and novellas. Her books have won the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest, Texas Gold, the ACFW Noble Theme contest, and she has been a multi-year finalist in ACFW’s BOTY/Carol Awards. She was voted Third Favorite Author in the Heartsong Presents Annual Readers Contest in 2009. Vickie is the author of the fun and feisty Texas Boardinghouse Brides series from Barbour Publishing. She has also authored two books in the Texas Trails: A Morgan Family series, in which she partners with Susan Page Davis and Darlene Franklin to write a six-book series that spans fifty years of the Morgan family. Also, next year brings the release of a new series from Guidepost/Summerside: Pioneer Promises, set in 1870s Kansas.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Long Trail Home is third in a six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896. Although a series, each book can be read on its own. When Riley Morgan returns home after fighting in the War Between the States, he is excited to see his parents and fiancee again. But he soon learns that his parents are dead and the woman he loved is married. He takes a job at the Wilcox School for the blind just to get by. He keeps his heart closed off but a pretty blind woman, Annie, threatens to steal it. When a greedy man tries to close the school, Riley and Annie band together to fight him and fall in love.But when Riley learns the truth about Annie, he packs and prepares to leave the school that has become his home and the woman who has thawed his heart. Will he change his mind and find the love he craves' Or will stubbornness deprive him from the woman he needs' Through painful circumstances, Riley and Annie learn that the loving and sovereign hand of God cannot be thwarted.

If you would like to read the Prologue of Long Trail Home, go HERE.



This book has not arrived yet so I'm unable to give a review.

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Tricia Goyer Shares a Special Experience

Please welcome Tricia Goyer as she shares a wonderful story that came about as the result of the research she did for her new novel, Remembering You. To read my review, just scroll down below this post to yesterday's post.

In the last ten years since I started interviewing veterans for my WWII novels, most have passed away. Some of them—realizing their days on earth were coming to an end—returned to Europe one last time with their family members to walk along paths they've never forgotten. Those trips inspired my most recent novel, Remembering You

One of the most amazing experiences was when I received an email from a woman named Hana. She'd heard of my book and knew I'd interviewed some of the veterans. She asked if I'd interviewed any medics. Then she told me an amazing story. Hana was born on a cart just outside of Mauthausen. Her mother had survived being a prisoner of another camp and was transported to Mauthausen at the end of the war.

Hana was just three weeks old when the Americans arrived, and she was very ill. Because of the filthy conditions she got a skin infection and sores covered her body. No one expected her to live. Yet one of the medics saw the small baby and knew he had to do something. Even though it took most of the day, he lanced and cleaned all Hana's sores, saving her life. Over the years she'd wanted to find the medic, but didn't know where to start.

Pete

I was amazed by Hana's story and told her I knew one medic—maybe he remembered who that man was. I gave Hana the contact information and I soon heard the good news. My friend LeRoy “Pete” Petersohn was the medic who'd saved her life! The two were soon reunited! After all these years Hana was able to look into the eyes of the man who saved her and thanked him. After all these years Pete was able to meet the woman he saved. “Baby!” he called out when he met her.

Hana and Pete

Remembering You is a work of fiction, but the experiences of the men are true. The experiences of the main character, Ava, are also true-to-life. I was busy with life when God pointed me to an amazing story, and to even more amazing men. I'm so thankful I took time to listen and care. I'm so thankful I allowed these men to share what … and who … they remembered most.


Tricia Goyer is a homeschooling mom of four and an acclaimed and prolific writer, publishing hundreds of articles in national magazines. She has also written books on marriage and parenting and contributed notes to the Women of Faith Study Bible. Tricia has written numerous novels inspired by World War II veterans, including her new release Remembering You. Tricia lives with her husband and four children in Arkansas. You can find out more information about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.



Folks, don't miss this heartwarming book! It is a delightful story and a wonderful tribute to those who sacrificed much for our freedoms.

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Remembering You

Remembering You
Tricia Goyer
(Guidepost Books)
ISBN: 978-0824948122
November 2011/311 pages/$14.99

35-year-old Ava Andrews' dream job is interrupted by an unusual request--fulfill her 84-year-old grandfather's last wish by joining him on a battle site tour of Europe. Ava is sure her boss will refuse her request. But, instead, he gives her a directive of his own--to videotape the tour and send it back as mini-segments for the show she produces.

As if juggling these two things isn't hard enough, Ava is soon surprised again ... twice. First, Ava and Grandpa Jack arrive in Europe, only to discover the tour is cancelled. Unwilling to let down her grandfather or her boss, Ava and Grandpa Jack head out on their own. Then, while they're on their way, the pair soon meet up with Paul, her grandpa's best friend, and his grandson Dennis. The same Dennis who just happens to be Ava's first love.

Before she knows it, Ava and Dennis are swept down memory lane as they visit the sites that are discussed in the history books. And even though Ava's videotaping old soldiers, she can see their youth, their hopes and fears, and their pride in their eyes. Soon Ava learns the trip isn't just for them ... it's for her too--especially for her heart.

Read an excerpt, watch a video and find out more here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tricia Goyer is the author of thirty books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. On Tricia's weekly radio show, Living Inspired, she shares stories of inspiration and encouragement. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

For more about Tricia and her other books visit www.triciagoyer.com

MY THOUGHTS:
I so enjoyed this book. World War II is becoming a popular genre for Christian historical fiction, and this one is especially heartwarming. I loved reading about Ava and Dennis traveling with their grandfathers to the battle sites from their days in the war. Although this is a work of fiction, much of the history in this book is factual. And while Ava and Dennis were crucial to the story, especially Ava's perspective of her grandfather and her priorities as she embarked on this trip, Grandpa Jack and Grandpa Paul were the ones who stole my heart in this novel. They reminded me of so many of the Greatest Generation whom I have known. What a treasure these folks are! Appropriately, I finished reading the book on Veterans Day and it made me so grateful for those who served so faithfully and who lived with such heart-wrenching memories for decades following the atrocities they witnessed. Veterans, may we always honor you best by Remembering You.

Join me tomorrow to hear a word from Tricia Goyer herself about writing this book and some of the true-life stories behind it.

Win a Kindle Touch for YOU and a Friend from Tricia Goyer!
Tricia Goyer is celebrating the release of her novel, Remembering You, with a KINDLE Touch Giveaway for you ... and for the friend of your choice. Then on 11/29 she'll be wrapping up the release of Remembering You with a Book Chat Party!

During the first half of the party Tricia will be chatting, sharing a sneak peek of her next book, and giving away a ton of great stuff. Then she'll head over to her website for a Live Chat! Readers will be able to chat with Tricia via video or text.

Don't miss your chance to win a Kindle Touch for yourself ... and to "remember" a friend this holiday with a Kindle Touch for them!

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Brand New Kindle Touch and a Kindle Touch for a Friend (winner's choice!) 
• A copy of Remembering You by Tricia Goyer for each

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on November 29th. Winner will be announced at Remembering You Facebook Party on 11/29. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away copies of her other WWII books and gift certificates to Starbucks and Amazon.com. So grab your copy of Remembering You and join Tricia on the evening of the 29th for an author chat, a trivia contest (How much do you know about WWII?) and lots of giveaways.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Guideposts Books & Litfuse Publicity Group 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.”

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