Morning Meanderings…

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)9 Comments

Does anyone elses day go like this?

I wake up and I am excited…. I don’t work today!  Imagine the possibilities.  I already have the laundry and dishes done so I really don’t have any household commitments… whatever will I do with my time?

I could spend some time reading – oh that would be nice!

Or maybe even take a nap – I haven’t done that in like forever!

Then reality sets in…

I am planning to work out at noon, but I really should get there at 11:30 so I can use the elliptical before class starts.

Oh – but I also need to stop by the office to get a count for tomorrow mornings Leadership Training meeting as we are having continental breakfast and I am in charge of purchasing and setting that up….

Oh – thats right I said I would stop by the book store and see what they have for Harry Potter in audio…. I would like to price out the first book…  should I do that before or after the work out?

I must stop by the movie theater and pick up our New Moon tickets for tomorrow afternoon

I really do need to drop those three books at the post office today.

And don’t forget supper…. it is Friday night, I should make something nice….

maybe we could watch a movie…. I should pick up a movie!

I need to get to Wal-Mart too and pick up my picture CD’s so I can mail out the certificates for everyone who went to Honduras….

I keep procrastinating on updating the Book Challenges I am currently in….  thats right, I did plan on doing that today.

I haven’t seen my Grandpa in quite a while – I really should stop by and talk with him…

and just like that…

the day is full.  😉

Today starts the Pemberley Ball.  Whatever will I wear?  😉

Last Chance Rescue by Tracey Cramer-Kelly

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)3 Comments

When Brad Sievers runs into his old friend Jessie Van Dyke at his high school reunion, little does he know how much it will change his life. When his high-powered advertising career fizzles, he falls into a most unlikely career opportunity — becoming a member of Jessie’s search-and-rescue team. Nothing in his life has prepared Brad for this, but he finds it more fulfilling than a dozen advertising campaigns.

Through dangerous rescues and personal trials, Brad and Jessie become close friends. They share in the birth of her first colt from her rescued horse; Jessie helps Brad when one of his first rescues doesn’t make it. When one of their rescue victims turns out to be a fellow soldier from Jessie’s Iraq War days, Brad almost loses her to old demons. But when Brad is severely injured in a training accident, Jessie nurses him back to health as only she can. And when she goes missing one night, Brad realizes just how important she has become to him.

Both Brad and Jessie must fight their own defenses to finally let down the walls that will allow them to rescue each other. This is a story about breath-taking action and adventurous lives, and the heart that is behind it all.


An Author Chat with Author Tracey Cramer-Kelly

Tracey, What books have been an influence in your life?

There are so many that I can’t list specific ones. I like books with complex, more adult characters (Nicolas Sparks comes to mind); I am particularly fascinated by how a male character may change/be changed by events/situations (a major theme in Last Chance Rescue as well). I like unusual settings, but not to the point of unbelievability (which is why I did ride-alongs with a medevac team before I finished writing Last Chance Rescue). My ‘pet peeve’ is a book with too much ‘headhopping’ (constantly changing points of view).


What do you do when you are not writing?

I am wife and mother to two young children (2 and 6) and I enjoy spending time with them, especially outdoors. I ride my motorcycle as often as possible! I just started taking lessons for my fixed-wing pilot license (an ‘add-on’ to my helicopter license). I play the taiko drums every Saturday morning and sing with my friend’s band when I can. When I can get away, I enjoy skiing (all kinds) and white-water rafting/kayaking.


How did you come up with this topic for your book?

My writing is heavily influenced by the time I spent in the military and by the medical training I received there. And when I became a helicopter pilot, it opened new relationships with some amazing people—and Last Chance Rescue really came together after I did some ride-alongs with medevac and search-and-rescue.

Last Chance Rescue (a finalist in the 2009 Indie Awards) is about two people who must fight their own defenses to finally let down the walls that will allow them to rescue each other. It is a story about breath-taking search-and-rescue action and adventurous lives—and the heart that is behind it all.


If you could wish for anything, what would it be?

I’m pretty satisfied with where I am in life. But in terms of my writing … what the heck, if you’re going to dream, why not dream big? I would like my next novel to be picked up by an agent and publisher and become ridiculously popular—to the point there’s a bidding war for the movie rights (to BOTH novels) and I finally get to produce a musical (in which I would do the singing). 🙂


LOL Tracey.  That is an awesome response!  Thanks for visiting with us today!

 

Tracey will be giving away an autographed copy of her book “Last Chance Rescue” to one randomly drawn commenter from the tour and an autographed copy of her book to the tour host with the most comments, excluding duplicates or Tracey’s responses.

 



Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)4 Comments

I have been a fan of Randall Arthur for years!  A chance to read and review this book was a pleasure!  ~ Sheila


Pastor Jason Faircloth knows what he believes. His clear faith, in fact, is why he is one of the most prominent pastors in Atlanta. He relies on it to discipline his daughter, his wife, his church. He prays daily that others would come to see God’s ways as he does.  And it is about to cost him everything.

What does it take to soften a heart so entrenched in law that it never truly loves?

Groping for answers in the face of tragedy, Jason begins a search for the only family he has left: the granddaughter kept hidden from him. Soon he finds himself on an international adventure that will take him straight into the depths of his soul. He is determined not to fail again.

A fast-paced suspense novel rich in spiritual depth, Wisdom Hunter explores what it means to break free of Christian legalism—and discover why grace can mean the difference between life and death.

In My Opinion:

I read Randall Arthur several years ago.  In fact, I had read all three of Randall Arthurs books which include:  Jordan’s Crossing and Brotherhood of Betrayal.  I enjoyed his books so much, I have checked for new books from his occasionally on line and had come up empty.  When I was requested to do a review to the re-issue of this book, Wisdom Hunter, I jumped at the chance.

Wayne Jacobson, publisher of The Shack says it well when he says, “Finally someone who understands that most religeous trappings do not enhance faith but actually undermine it!”

This is what I love about this book, Randall Arthur takes tough topics – real topics.  When Jason Faircloth’s heavy handed teachings of right and wrong for his daughter causes him to lose her.  As his world crumbles… Jason learns hard lessons on forgiveness.

This book is so well written, so fast paced, I read it in a matter of hours, not putting it down.  As the story opens we find Pastor Jason Faircloth to be a man who has the respect of his congregational and he leads with the belief that he is right and it can only be his way – the way he believes.  As God begans to put painful trials in Jason’s life, we start to see the truth.

It is so refreshing to read a Christian fiction book that is not sugar coated.  Randall Arthur puts his characters through the wringer.  I lie reading about real issues that happen in the lives of Christians, yes, even Pastors have their struggles as we can see all the time on the tv or read about in the paper.  We all fall short and Randall Arthur gives us an honest look into one families struggles, driven apart to never be as they once were.

A book I thoroughly enjoyed and was thrilled to have the opportunity to not only read it again, but have the chance to share this read with all of you.

About the Author:

Randall Arthur is the bestselling author of Jordan’s Crossing and Brotherhood of Betrayal. He and his wife have served as missionaries to Europe for over thirty years. From 1976 till 1998, he lived in Norway and Germany as a church planter. Since 2000, he has taken numerous missions teams from the United States on trips all over Europe. Arthur is also the founder of the AOK (Acts of Kindness) Bikers’ Fellowship, a group of men who enjoy the sport of motorcycling. He and his family live in Atlanta, Georgia.

I received my review copy of this book from WaterBrook Press, a division of Random House

 

Word Verification Balderdash (The Thursday Thing)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments

This is my weekly meme of the great word verification we that make comments on blogs have the annoyance pleasure of typing again and again….

I know it is a necessity…  I get that.  You leave a comment, chances are you going to be word verified.  Yet being a comment junkie… it slows me down.  So to make this a bit more enjoyable… I came up with a plan.

I love word games (not as much as commenting).  To entertain myself and maybe some of you… I decided to share with you a little thing I do while I type in the verification.  I play Balderdash in my head.  Yup.  As I am typing in the word, I think if it was a real word… what would it mean.  Some come easy.  Others…. I really have to stretch the imagination.

The definition of Balderdash: An oft used strategy  to elect your own fake definition in an attempt to give it credibility in the minds of your fellow players. …


Berbarch: The latest in Berber products!  The powers that be at the world of All Things Berber Carpeting Co.  LLC, are excited to open their newest division in Berber wear…. Outdoor furnishings.  No longer is berber just to be enjoyed inside your home.  To kick off this line they present the Berbarch… that’s right folks…. a gorgeous archway for your back yard covered entirely in berber.  Wont you be the envy of your neighborhood!  (Order now and you will receive a set of free Ginsu Knives to cut loose the cat when she is caught in the berber archway.  😉

ok…. ok…. if that definition is too far fetched… here is an optional one…

Berbarch: The Berbers of Africa date back 4,000 years.  (Google it – this much is true!)  The Berbarch is the well known expression that a Berber would give to another berber when they believed they caught the other in a lie.  While the berbers are a gentle people and accusing is against their very nature… a well lifted brow, in an arch, so to speak, was enough to let the others in the Berber Tribe know that they were calling you out on your elaborate story.  Sadly, the berbarch often led to the berbfist.


Ishsushi: Yup.  Self  explanatory.  Ish.  Sushi.  😉


Burgbut: What happens to one who eats way too many fast food burgers.  😉


So I invite all of you to take a closer look at those annoying… err….. wonderful word verifications.  Do they sound like they could mean something?  If you used them in a sentence could you fool people into thinking they are real words?  If you share in this love of words and word games, please let me know here – and if you make a post feel free to grad the Balderdash meme and let me know so I can link others here to yours!

Remember – have fun!

Here are other Word Verification Balderdash Players:

Wordsmithonia

Embrace The Whirlwind

Alexia’s Books and Such

My World

Too Many Visitors For One Little House by Susan Chodakiewitz

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

Laugh out loud goodness in the pages of this delightful read about opening your heart… and even your home.  ~ Sheila

The neighbors of El Camino Street did not like pets.  They did not like kids.  They did not like people with big families.  They never had any guests and spent their day cleaning their houses, tending their gardens, and snoozing on their porches.


And so our story begins!  I turned the pages of this delightful book enjoying the wonderful illustrations of the people of El Camino Street.  When the new family moved in – a mom, a dad, three kids, and a fish- the neighbors kept an eye out for trouble…. and all was fine, until the visitors arrived.


And with every turn of the page more family arrives much to their neighbors dismay… they label each visitor from the noisy teenagers, to the off her rocker Grandma…. this book really shows how people can judge others before they really even know them.

I think this would be a wonderful read for children to discuss learning to accept others even if they are different from ourselves.  Who knows… you just might experience something incredible and new!

Susan Chodakiewitz is a writer, composer and producer. She is the founder of Booksicals Children’s Books- Encouraging the love of reading through the arts. She lives in Los Angeles in a lively household filled with music, three sons, a husband, a Dalmatian and lots of visitors. Susan loves picture books and she wrote a musical based on one of her favorites. She realized it was time to start writing her own picture books. Too Many Visitors for One Little House is Susan’s debut book. If you happen to see Susan sitting in the children’s section of the library reading picture books with a big smile on her face, do say hello.

Email Susan Chodakiewitz Email Susan

With a sense of humor and identification to the characters, Veronica Walsh created the illustrations for Too Many Visitors for One Little House. Veronica studied art and design at California State University, Long Beach, and worked as a graphic designer for many years. She lives in Southern California with her husband and three cats.
Email Veronica Walsh Email Veronica

 

Enter here for Nanny’s Strudel recipe

I received my review copy of thes book from Dorothy with Pump Up Your Blog Tour

Charlie and Mama Kyna by Diana Rumjahn

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)1 Comment

Being friends with a frog, a lion, and a giraffe has never been more fun!  ~  Sheila

 

Charlie and Mama Kyna is a sweet tale of three friends – Charlie, a frog, Leo, a lion and Joe, a giraffe – who embark on a journey to find a good home. In this delightful children’s picture book written by Diana Rumjahn, we are all taken on an enchanting journey in which Charlie, “a sweet green frog with a red bow tie with white polka dots,” finds Leo and Joe sitting in an orange tent in front of Mrs. Cupcake’s Bakery.  Soon they tire of living out of a tent and not having a real home, so Charlie takes them back to his house in which he had run away from for breaking his mother’s vase and not wanting to get in trouble over it.  The three form a bond as they travel through creeks and over hills on their way to Charlie’s mother’s house.  Instead of being upset over the vase, Charlie’s mother is extremely happy to have him home again and welcomes his new friends into her home.


The more childrens books I read the more I really appreciate them.  In this book, Charle and Mama Kyna, I am introduced to three lovable characters that your young kids are going to love.  A wonderful story about the importance of forgiveness and friendship.  The words to this book roll off your tongue and just make it a fun read! I loved the beautiful illustrations of this book I would believe to be be an anytime favorite!

I received my review copy of this book from Dorothy of Pump Up Your Book Promotions

Morning Meanderings…

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)18 Comments

This morning I am Coffee Cup free.  Yup.  Don’t worry…. after 8:30 I will be back with Coffee and all will be right with the world again.  🙂

A friend of mine had a baby 6 weeks ago and she and I had done weight watchers together before her pregnancy.  Today she is starting up again and I am a life time member but like to hold myself in check, so I will be going with her.  I am a little nervous for this initial weigh in as I am usually a pretty good eater but with the changes to our life in mid September when Chance came to stay with us, my eating habits changed and so did my work out schedule…. or lack there of.  🙂  Honduras is always impossible to eat right as well as wow do I love the food they make there and really do not have any control over what we are served…. go with the flow.  Anyway – this makes my first time on the scale in about 2 months.  Yipes!

On a  book note –  I found a link yesterday to a sight where you can download 100 free audio books.  I wasn’t an audio fan until this year when I had quite a bit of car time and then discovered I love them!  Finally a way to read and drive at the same time!  AWESOME!  I am a huge fan and haven’t looked into these yet but passing the info on to any of you who may be interested.  I usually prefer a background book over background music.

And my final morning note is last night I had an hour long conversation with the author of Jantsen’s Gift, Pam Cope.  I had requested an interview by email with her regarding the book and she responded saying she would rather do a phone interview.  How fun!  I think she interviewed me as much as I interviewed her!  Watch for that post coming up in the next few days here.

Later – I have book reviews (of course) and hopefully the Thursday Word Balderdash will make its appearance as well!  Have a super great day!

2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

 

This is the challenge that I have been waiting for.  For 2010 I am joing this YA Challenge hosted by J Kayes Blog.  I am excited about this because I just started reading YA in 2009 and LOVE it!!!  So this is where I will post my reviews as I have them in the YA category.  Feel free to join by linking on over at J Kayes Blog.

Here is what you need to know:

1. Anyone can join. You don’t need a blog to participate.

2. There are four levels:

–The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

–Just My Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 25 Young Adult novels.

–Stepping It Up YA Reading Challenge – Read 50 Young Adult novels.

–Super Size Me YA Reading Challenge – Read 75 Young Adult novels.

3. Audio, eBooks, paper all count.

4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.

My goal is going to be “just My Size”  25

1.  Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling

2. hush hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

3.  The Fruit Of My Lipstick by Shelley Adina

4.  Thirteen Reasons Why

5.  The Lighting Thief

6.  I Hadnt meant To Tell You This

7.  Hex Hall

8.  Hold Still

9. 100 Cupboards

10.  The Opposite Of Me

11.  Harry Potter and The Prisoner Of Azkaban

12.  Harry Potter and The deathly Hallows

13.  Before I Fall

14.  Twenty Boy Summer

15.  Dovey Coe

16.  The Short Second Life Of Bree Tanner

17.  The Icing On The Cupcake

18.  Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

19.  The Face On The Milk Carton

20.  SPEAK

21.  The Absolute True Diary Of A Part Time Indian

22.  The DUFF

23.  The Secret Society Of The Pink Crystal Ball

24.  The Passage

25.  Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt

Novel Destinations by Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)5 Comments

This book allows you to jump inside the pages of other books…  for me a dream come true!  ~ Sheila


It’s often said that a good book takes us somewhere we’ve never been before, and here’s the proof: a book-lover’s Baedeker to more than 500 literary locales across the United States and Europe. Novel Destinations invites readers to follow in the footsteps of much-loved authors, discover the scenes that sparked their imaginations, glimpse the lives they led, and share a bit of the experiences they transformed so eloquently into print. If you’re looking to indulge in literary adventure, you’ll find all the inspiration and information you need here, along with behind-the-scenes stories such as these:

After Ernest Hemingway survived two near-fatal plane crashes during an African safari, he perused his obituaries and sipped champagne on a canal-side terrace in Venice.

Washington Irving’s wisteria-draped cottage in the Hudson Valley was once occupied by members of the Van Tassel family, immortalized in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

A mysterious incident at a stone tower near Dublin made such a vivid impression on James Joyce that he drew on it for the opening scene of Ulysses.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle consulted on the mystery of Agatha Christie’s 1926 disappearance before she resurfaced under an assumed name in northern England.

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The House of the Seven Gables was inspired by a seaside manse in Salem, Massachusetts, infamous witch trials in which his ancestor played a role.

In My Opinion:

The Steinbeck House, Salinas California
The Steinbeck House, Salinas, California

I seriously wanted to crawl inside this book and go!  I discovered this book on Amazon a while ago and had to have it.  I was curious in my travels throughout the years might I have been unknowingly close to an incredible literary landmark?  Might I have passed by where Walt Whitman once dined, or Ralph Waldo Emerson walked his dog (if he had a dog…). How about Checking into the actual hotel room at the Sun Valley Lodge in Idaho where Hemingway penned For Whom the Bell Tolls, or knocking back a “Papa Dobles” cocktail (invented by the writer himself) at Sloppy Joe’s in Key West, FL?  The thought of any of these gives my goose bumps!

I found the closest to me in this book would be Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald who was born on Summit Ave in St Paul, Minnesota.  There is a walking tour of landmarks associated with the writer and his works.  Sinclair Lewes was born in Sauk Centre MN where he wrote about his 1920 best seller, Main Street.

A Hemngway Hangout, Key West, Florida

This book covers final resting places, to the bars that the likes of Mark Twain hung out in.  From childhood homes, to the big screen where a travel to England and see the Chateau House (where the exterior shots of the 2005 film Pride and Prejudice were shot) open daily mid March thru December.

I adored everything about this book.  I enjoyed reading it as informative as well as a road map to places to see!  This one is a keeper, a must take along for road trips and beyond!

Have you been to any famous author spots or places mentioned in books?



I purchased my copy of this book off Amazon

Morning Meanderings…

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)17 Comments

There are some mornings when I sit here with Coffee Cup and seriously have to rack my brain for something remotely interesting to say…  maybe I didn’t have time to read any blogs so I have no great books to direct you too and maybe I have nothing real exciting going on in my life….


Today – is not that day!

In fact, I knew yesterday evening what I wanted to do for today’s post and have been really excited to share it!  Actually I have two things to chat up this morning (Go Caffeine adrenaline go!!!).  First, I had wandered over to Petty Witters blog, Pen and Paper, and found a post that says she has crossed over the 500 visitors mark!  YEAH!  The funny thing is, she thinks I was the 500th visitor!  LOL, I am just happy for her and excited to see her blog grow.  You should check it out… she does great reviews and always posts funny things out of the newspaper or thoughts that crack me up.  Stop in today and congratulate her!

Secondly…. I was over visiting Vera at Luxury Reading yesterday and when commenting on a recent review she had up, I seen the comment above mine said that she wished there was such a thing as a spoiler button so she could see what happens in the book…. and that got me thinking…..

How many times have I wanted to share more in a book review and couldn’t for fear of spoiling a great plot for a potential reader?  I am really careful in my reviews to not reveal too much but the real me behind the keyboard (much like the Wizard of Oz) is shouting, “Oh my gosh I really want to talk about page 142!!!”

So….  full credit for the idea  going to the commenter of the Luxury Reading post, I have created a spoiler button.  Uh huh.  I did.

Want to see it?

Want to push it?  Go ahead.  I will wait.  🙂  ……………………

I am not going to use it all the time…. I wouldn’t want to abuse it!  I am thinking for those reviews when I want to say so much more.  The button will take myself and those of us who have already read the book, to a safe area where we can discuss it openly without spoiling any of it for those who have not read it.

Have a great morning all and I appreciate all your comments on whatever craziness I have going on over here!