Driftwood Tides by Gina Holmes ~ #book spotlight

ABOUT THE BOOK

He made himself an island until something unexpected washed ashore.
When Holton lost his wife, Adele, in a freak accident, he shut himself off from the world, living a life of seclusion, making drifwood sculptures and drowning his pain in gin. Until twenty-three-year-old Libby knocks on his door, asking for a job and claiming to be a friend

of his late wife. When he discovers Libby is actually his late wife’s illegitimate daughter, given up for adoption without his knowledge, his life is turned upside down as he struggles to accept that the wife he’d given saint status to was not the woman he thought he knew.




Together Holton and Libby form an unlikely bond as the two struggle to learn the identity of Libby’s father and the truth about Adele, themselves, and each other.




If you would like to read the first chapter of Driftwood Tides, go HERE.






ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gina Holmes is the founder of Novel Rocket, regularly named as one of Writers Digest’s best websites for writers. Her debut, Crossing Oceans,
was a Christy and Gold Medallion finalist and winner of the Carol
Award, INSPY, and RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice, as well as being a
CBA, ECPA, Amazon and PW bestseller. Her sophomore novel, Dry as Rain was a Christy Award finalist.
Her latest novel, Wings of Glass has been named as one of the best
books of the year by Library Journal and was a SIBA Okra pick and a
finalist for Romantic Times’ Reviewers Choice Award. She holds degrees
in science and nursing and currently resides with her family in southern
Virginia. She works too hard, laughs too loud, and longs to see others
heal from their past and discover their God-given purpose.

Thief of Glory by Sigmund Brouwer ~ #book spotlight

ABOUT THE BOOK

A boy coming of age in a time of war…

the love that inspires him to survive.




For ten year-old Jeremiah Prins, the life of privilege as the son of a school headmaster in the Dutch East Indies comes crashing to a halt in 1942 after the Japanese Imperialist invasion of the Southeast Pacific. Jeremiah takes on the responsibility of caring for his younger siblings

when his father and older stepbrothers are separated from the rest of the family, and he is surprised by what life in the camp reveals about a woman he barely knows—his frail, troubled mother.




Amidst starvation, brutality, sacrifice and generosity, Jeremiah draws on all of his courage and cunning to fill in the gap for his mother. Life in the camps is made more tolerable as Jeremiah’s boyhood infatuation with his close friend Laura deepens into a friendship from which they both draw strength.




When the darkest sides of humanity threaten to overwhelm Jeremiah and Laura, they reach for God’s light and grace, shining through his people. Time and war will test their fortitude and the only thing that will bring them safely to the other side is the most enduring bond of all.




If you would like to read the first chapter of Thief of Glory, go HERE.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sigmund
Brouwer is the best-selling author of nearly thirty novels, with close
to 4 million books in print. Based on his inspiration for Thief of
Glory, which Sigmund wrote as a way to learn and honor the his parent’s
stories, especially of his father’s boyhood in a Japanese concentration
camp, Sigmund leads The Chapters of Our Lives memoir seminars across the
United States and Canada. Sigmund is married to recording artist Cindy
Morgan and has two daughters.

Mom Loves 2 Read's Newsletter Subscriber Giveaway #2 ~ Come enter to WIN ~ ends 10/31 #giveaway

Newsletter Subscriber's Bonus Giveaway #2

The Prize:

Winner may choose ANY ebook from the Book Depository or  Amazon.com up to a
maximum

value of $5 (2 winners this time!)





* For current email subscribers, you have the option of gaining BONUS entries.



* For new subscribers, you can enter the
draw through the Giveawaytools form after subscribing(you can use the
form located at the bottom of this post). You will receive an email
asking you to confirm your subscription. You must validate your
subscription. All unvalidated entries will be deleted before the winner is selected.  Once you have received your first newsletter - you also will have a chance to grab some bonus entries!

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

Email Format

• html


• text

Entry-Form

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
The winner(s) will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the
giveaway ends. Each winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If a
winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a
new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of
eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed
or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other social media. This giveaway is
sponsored, hosted and managed by Susan from Mom Loves 2 Read.

Join me at the CIRCUS ~ FLASH #Giveaway for Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Super Circus Heros SHOW! ends 10/13 #ringlinginsider

Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey presents Super Circus Heroes

 

October 17-19, 2014

PEORIA CIVIC CENTER

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Super Circus HeroesSM,
showcasing wonders from the marvelous to the magnificent, every day is
extraordinary in this action-packed super circus, filled with superhuman
athleticism, power and pageantry that will have Children Of All Ages
discovering their own

superhuman strength. Amazing elephants, horses,
camels and more alongside astonishing acrobats, awe-inspiring aerialists
and some over-the-top clowns that will have audiences in stitches… of
laughter of course! Come join us in celebrating the bravery, courage and
honor that lives inside all of us at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Super Circus Heroes: far from ordinary, beyond extraordinary!

Click here to purchase tickets for a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance in your area!

Not convinced?  What's to think about? Daring Acts, Amazing Animals, Flying Arielists and so much more!  AND you have a chance to see it all FREE!  That's right! Mom Loves 2 Read has been authorized to provide our readers with a chance to WIN a 4-pack of tickets to see this amazing show right here locally at the Peoria Civic Center NEXT WEEKEND!

Just enter below - MUST be 18 or older to enter/win - MUST be able to attend at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, IL on Friday Evening - Opening Night Performance!

Can't attend the Peoria Event?  Not a problem - Ringling Bros will also be at Rockford, IL - Des Moine, IA, St. Louis, MO (same weekend as Peoria), AND at the United Center in CHICAGO in November!- just check out the ticketmaster link provided for a show near YOU!

Entry-Form

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey

Click here to purchase tickets for a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance in your area!

Disclosure:

I received something of value from Feld Entertainment as part of their Insider 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.”.

A Love Undone by Cindy Woodsmall ~ Confronted with difficult choices, what will happen to this young couple? Amish Christian Romance #review

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Love Undone

WaterBrook Press (September 9, 2014)

by

Cindy Woodsmall




ABOUT THE BOOK

A husband and son abandoned to forge a path alone.

A young woman who sacrificed her dreams.

How will the God of grace and hope help them find their way?




At nineteen years old, Old Order Amish Jolene Keim was on the brink of happily-ever-after when everything changed, stealing the future she expected and burdening her with an unbearable decision. For the next

ten years, Jolene throws herself into family life—and then she meets Andy Fisher. The horse trainer and father to a sweet nine year-old challenges her and holds up a mirror to issues Jolene has been unwilling to face.




Andy is cautious about his deepening friendship with Jolene, but he believes she knows the truth about him – that he is a grass widower. As a man whose wife has abandoned him six years past, he is unable to divorce or remarry according to the Amish ways. Andy has wrestled with God concerning his reality, and he had found peace with the solitary future facing him…until he met Jolene.




As Andy and Jolene find themselves confronted by difficult choices, will they trust in God's guidance—or will the allure of their deepening friendship only lead to further temptation?




If you would like to read the first chapter of A Love Undone, go HERE.






My Review:

Unfortunately the book did not arrive in time for my review so I will post it later!  Thanks for your patience!





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times
and CBA best-selling author who has written fifteen (and counting!)
works of fiction and one of nonfiction. She and her dearest Old Order
Amish friend, Miriam Flaud, coauthored the nonfiction, Plain Wisdom: An Invitation into an Amish Home and the Hearts of Two Women. Cindy’s been featured on ABC Nightline
and the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and has worked with
National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life. In June of
2013, the Wall Street Journal listed Cindy as one of the top three Amish fiction writers.




She’s won Fiction Book of the Year, Reviewer’s Choice
Awards, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest, as well as one of
Crossings’ Best Books of the Year. She’s been a finalist for the
prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards, Christian Book of the Year,
and Christian Retailers Choice Awards.




Cindy and her husband reside near the foothills of the
North Georgia Mountains in their now empty nest.

(Since that last line sounds sad and bare, I thought I’d add an
“epilogue” of sorts. Our two oldest sons are married and live only a
couple of miles from my empty nest, and below are my three adorable
grandchildren! ♥)

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. 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.”.

Hidden in the Stars by Robin Carroll

Hidden in the Stars

Abingdon Press (September 16, 2014)

by

Robin Caroll






ABOUT THE BOOK

Following an attack that killed her mother and stole her ability to speak, 21-year-old Sophia Montgomery has no choice but to accept her estranged grandmother’s offer to return to their family home. Although detective Julian Frazier

is working hard on the case, Sophia unknowingly frustrates him because her inability to speak thwarts her eyewitness evidence. The fact that Julian is undeniably attracted to Sophia doesn’t help either, so Julian hides his feelings as concern for a trauma victim and focuses instead on finding the killer.



Little do they know, the clues to solving the case may be right in front of them, displayed in Sophia’s mother’s “special” quilt design. Who will realize the secret Sophia’s unwittingly been hiding in plain sight? When the truth comes to light, will Sophia find her voice again? Or will the murderer—still at large—silence her forever?





If you would like to read the first chapter of Hidden in the Stars, go HERE.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born
and raised in Louisiana, Robin Caroll is a southerner through and
through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain
others. Robin’s mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who instilled
in Robin the deep love of family and pride of heritage—two aspects Robin
weaves into each of her books.




When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her
husband of twenty-plus years, her 3 beautiful daughters, 2 precious
grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home—in the South, where
else?

Salazon Chocolate Co. ~ A Tasteful Dark and Spicy Treat ~ #review

Salazon Chocolate Co. is a line of 100% organic, single-origin, salted dark (57% and 72%) chocolate bars. Our salted-chocolate is crafted in small batches and each bar is hand-sprinkled with our signature touch

of natural sea salt. In addition to organic, our bars are kosher and fair trade certified and are also vegan (except for the caramel bar) and gluten-free. 



They currently make 8 varieties which include original sea salt, sea salt & pepper, sea salt & caramel, sea salt & coffee, sea salt & turbinado cane sugar, sea salt & coconut, sea salt & almonds, and sea salt & cayenne. 



Salazon Chocolate bars are made in Maryland and sold nationally in Whole Foods markets, Wegman's,
and various natural and gourmet food stores. You can find out more at http://www.salazonchoc.com





My Review:

Although I am personally not a fan of dark chocolate, I could not resist how delicious the Salazon Chocolate bars sounded and looked on the website.  So, I agreed to review knowing that my husband and children would be more than happy to assist with this review.

I received a nice selection of chocolate bars in a few different flavors.  The only one I personally ate was the simple Sea Salt and Caramel Dark chocolate - it was 'ok' in my opinion but was unable to turn me to "the DARK side" of chocolate.  The Natural Sea Salt and the Sea Salt and Almonds were devoured by my 6 yr old.  She seemed to really like it.  The spicier ones ~ Sea Salt and Cayanne and Sea Salt and Pepper were given to my son, who said they were "ok" but didn't really taste like chocolate bars.

So with mixed results in this reviewer's household - all I can say is that for those who love a little daring with their Dark Chocolate - this is definitely the type of Chocolate for YOU!

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. 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.”.

Faces of the Dead by Suzanne Weyn #review

When Marie-Therese, daughter of Marie Antoinette, slips into the streets
of Paris at the height of the French Revolution, she finds a world much
darker than what she's ever known.



When Marie-Thérèse Charlotte
of France learns of the powerful rebellion sweeping her country, the
sheltered princess is determined to see the revolution for herself.
Switching places with a chambermaid, the princess sneaks out of the
safety of the royal palace and into the heart of a city in strife.



Soon
the princess is brushing shoulders with revolutionaries and activists.
One boy in particular, Henri, befriends her and has her questioning the
only life she's known. When the princess returns to the palace one night
to find an angry mob storming its walls, she's forced into hiding in
Paris. Henri brings her to the workshop of one Mademoiselle Grosholtz,
whose wax figures seem to bring the famous back from the dead, and who
looks at Marie-Thérèse as if she can see all of her secrets. There, the
princess quickly discovers there's much more to the outside world - and
to the mysterious woman's wax figures - than meets the eye.



My Review:

This was not quite what I thought it would be when I chose to read and review this story.  Parts of it were difficult to read and annoying as it dealt with Voodoo and witchcraft and damage to dead friends and loved ones.  I started out becoming interested in the characters and the story as well as the historical aspects of the book, but soon found I was only reading to try to get to the end to see what happens.  Overall I wasn't as thrilled with this story by the time the story was over and would not read it again.

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. 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.”.

Watermelon Party by Jasmine Cabanaw (book review)

Watermelon Party by Jasmine Cabanaw (book review)

Watermelon Party ties in themes of friendship, sharing, and animal rescue. When a watermelon is set out at Rocky Ridge Refuge, the animals come one by one to join in on the delicious fun. By the end of the book, the animals are joined together, head-to-head, in a circle around the watermelon. The interspecies friendships are a metaphor for overlooking differences, no matter how strange or unique someone else may look. It is a celebration of diversity.

There is also a bonus game of “Duck, duck, goose!” A little duckling rides in on the first animal. In each illustration, the duckling is sitting on a different animal, until the very end, when the duck lands on a surprised goose.

The writing style is light and fun. The repetitive rhyming scheme will help children with their reading skills and learning action words.

The story is based on this series of photographs from a real event that occurred at Rocky Ridge Refuge.

My review: In this story for young readers, Jasmine Cabanaw emphasizes living in harmony and without prejudice, as demonstrated by the real life residents of Rocky Ridge Refuge, an organization many of us volunteering in animal rescue are quite familiar with. Located in Midway, Arkansas, the refuge is home to 50-60 animals of diverse species, peacefully coexisting and interacting in their daily lives. You’ll find everything from dogs to zebras, to  turtles, to some adorable capybaras. This book will make a great Christmas present for young ones, while teaching them important lessons in friendships and animal rescue.While many of the animals at Rocky Ridge are permanent residents, some of them are awaiting adoption. If you are searching for a pet (or simply want to check out some adorable pictures of inter-species interaction among the animals), make sure to check out their website www.rockyridgerefuge.com.

The book can now be preordered at http://greenbamboopublishing.com/order/

Residents at Rocky Ridge Refuge

Disclosure: I did not receive the item(s) mentioned in this post for free in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. 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.”.