Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Emily of Deep Valley by Mitali Perkins





This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Emily of Deep Valley
Harper Perennial Modern Classics; Reprint edition (October 12, 2010)
by
Mitali Perkins


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from Mitali: Who In The World Is Mitali Perkins?

That's a good question. I've been trying to figure it out myself, spending most of my life crossing borders.

I was born Mitali Bose in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, and always tried to live up to my name—which means “friendly” in the Bangla language. I had to! Because my family moved so much, it was the only way I could make new friends.

By the time I was 11, I'd lived in Ghana, Cameroon, London, New York and Mexico before settling in California just in time for middle school. Yep, I was the new kid again, in seventh grade, the year everybody barely makes it through.

My biggest lifeline during those early years was story. Books were my rock, my stability, my safe place as I navigated the border between California suburbia and the Bengali culture of my traditional home.

After studying political science at Stanford and public policy at U.C. Berkeley, I taught in middle school, high school and college. When I began to write fiction, my protagonists were often—not surprisingly—strong female characters trying to bridge different cultures.

Mitali Perkins is the author of several books for young people, including SECRET KEEPER (Random House), MONSOON SUMMER (Random House), RICKSHAW GIRL (Charlesbridge), and the FIRST DAUGHTER books (Dutton).

ABOUT THE BOOK

Often cited as Maud Hart Lovelace’s (of Betsy-Tacy fame) best novel, Emily of Deep Valley is now back in print, with a new foreword by acclaimed young adult author Mitali Perkins and new archival material about the characters’ real lives.

Emily Webster, an orphan living with her grandfather, is not like the other girls her age in Deep Valley, Minnesota. The gulf between Emily and her classmates widens even more when they graduate from Deep Valley High School in 1912. Emily longs to go off to college with everyone else, but she can’t leave her grandfather. Emily resigns herself to facing a “lost winter,” but soon decides to stop feeling sorry for herself. And with a new program of study, a growing interest in the Syrian community, and a handsome new teacher at the high school to fill her days, Emily gains more than she ever dreamed...

In addition to her beloved Betsy-Tacy books, Maud Hart Lovelace wrote three more stories set in the fictional town of Deep Valley: Winona’s Pony Cart, Carney’s House Party and Emily of Deep Valley. Longtime fans and new readers alike will be delighted to find the Deep Valley books available again for the first time in many years.

If you would like to browse inside Emily of Deep Valley, go HERE.


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

WWW ~ Nov. 24, 2010


To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?


Currently Reading:

 








Recently Finished:


Read my Review here






Read Next: 
 

 









Monday, November 22, 2010

The Lightkeeper's Bride by Colleen Coble






This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Lightkeeper's Bride
Thomas Nelson (October 19, 2010)
by
Colleen Coble


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Author Colleen Coble’s thirty-five novels and novellas have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA, the Holt Medallion, the ACFW Book of the Year, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, the Booksellers Best, and the 2009 Best Books of Indiana-Fiction award. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail and love begin with a happy ending.

A word from Colleen: God has been faithful, though the path has not been easy. Nothing worth doing is ever easy. God wouldn’t let me give up, and I like to think the struggle made me stronger. God has given me so much in my life, most importantly my great family, a loving church family at New Life Baptist Church, and my wonderful publishing family at Nelson Books.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A thrilling romantic mystery set in the lush Victorian age.

Central Operator Katie Russell's inquisitive ways have just uncovered her parents' plan for her marriage to wealthy bachelor Bartholomew Foster. Her heart is unmoved, but she knows the match will bring her family status and respectability.

Then Katie overhears a phone conversation that makes her uneasy and asks authorities to investigate. But the caller is nowhere to be found. Mysterious connections arise between the caller and a ship lost at sea.

Against propriety, Katie questions the new lighthouse keeper, Will Jesperson. Then a smallpox epidemic forces their quarantine in his lighthouse. Though of low social status, Will's bravery and kindness remove Katie's suspicion and win her love. Katie and Will together work to solve the mystery of the missing girl and the lost ship as God gives the couple the desire of their hearts.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Lightkeeper's Bride, go HERE.


Saturday, November 20, 2010

All kinds of Goodies....


It's time to show off what was accomplished in our FNS-i last night.  Progress was made, but not all completed.  Also have two giveaways I came across to blab about but first order of business is FNS-i results.
Here is what was accomplished in GF, ND

Daughter started apron still work to be done on it.  She didn't get it all done as she worked until 7 and was tired so only worked a few hours on it...

laying out and cutting out apron
sewing pockets

pockets sewed on and ties ready to be sewed on

I completed 7 kitchen towel hangers... for Christmas giving


find my step-by-step directions on these easy to make towels here.


our music was Christmas music.  Oh, yeah the snack was yummy too....

 
donuts and hot spiced apple cider
Now for two giveaways I've come across.


Johanna is giving away this adorable Snowman candy cane holder.  Isn't he just the most adorable thing you've ever seen?  I love snowmen.  Anyway head over to her site here to get details.  








Eagles Wings is celebrating her 100th follower with a giveaway of these kitchen towels she's hand embroidered.  Check it out at her site here.
Now I'm off to do some Christmas shopping and pick DD up from work.  


Thursday, November 18, 2010

Tomorrow night...




The monthly Sew-in is on over at Handmade by Heidi.  I'm in and hopefully we'll get much accomplished...  Here are some projects that MUST get completed this weekend.....

DD is making an apron for grandma (sssshhhh!!!!!  don't tell; it's a surprise, don't worry grandma doesn't do computer stuff so she'll never see this unless someone shows her or tells)  and grandma is coming next Tues for Thanksgiving....


It is going to be the cutest apron don't you think.  I can't wait until it's done.  Not Grandma's kitchen colors, but I love the country theme.  Grandm's kitchen is blue house theme.

I'm making a kitchen towel hanger to match the apron.  Actually,  will be making several of them for Christmas gift giving.....

You may find a step-by-step post for making these fun towel hangers here.  They are easy.  
Take about 30 min. max to make one.  

See you at the sewing machine tomorrow night and then I'll post my accomplishments on Sat.  
Happy sewing to all!



It's beginning to look a lot like.....



Winter!

What did you think I was going to say.  Well, today it spit some of the white stuff on us.  Not much, but enough to say we had our first snow.  With winter we all think of projects that we can doing inside....  Maybe you're thinking about remodeling the bathroom this winter while your stuck indoors.  Well, how about checking out the bathroom furniture at the CSN stores on-line.  Think about it you won't even have to leave the comforts of your home.  Why not even check out the other 200+ stores that they have.  You might even be able to do all your Christmas shopping right from your computer and have it delievered right to your front door.  Now how is that for service.  Here are just a few items I found by way of bathroom furniture that they have...









 


Be sure to check out the  
CSN stores on-line today.



Be on the look out for my Review to come.  




Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The Silent Order by Melanie Dobson




This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Silent Order
Summerside Press (November 1, 2010)
by
Melanie Dobson


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good.

Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.

Melanie and her husband, Jon, met in Colorado Springs in 1997 at Vanguard Church. Jon works in the field of computer animation. Since they've been married, the Dobsons have relocated numerous times including stints in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Berlin, and Southern California. These days they are enjoying their new home in the Pacific Northwest.

Jon and Melanie have adopted their two daughters —Karly (6) and Kinzel (5). When Melanie isn't writing or entertaining their girls, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, traveling, hiking, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Rural America - 1928. After the murder of his partner, Detective Rollin Wells hides away in an Amish home near Sugarcreek, Ohio, to find out who in the police force is
collaborating with Cleveland’s notorious mob. While Rollin searches for answers to his partner’s death, he befriends an elusive young Amish woman named Katie and her young son. As Rollin learns about Katie’s past, he’s shocked at the secret Katie is hiding - a secret that has haunted Rollin for eight years.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Silent Order, go HERE.









Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Gratitude Giveaways



Welcome to the Gratitude Giveaways Book bloggers hop.  This is a giveaway where you can hop from blogger to blogger and enter their giveaway.  Thanks to Kathy @ I Am a Reader, Not a Writer for her hard work organizing this hop.  There are 182 sites you can hop to and enter their giveaways.  This site you are presently at is #70.  Enter my giveaway here and then see the other blogs in this hop posted at the end of this post.  Lucky for you you have 12 days to hit every site.  We just want to say thanks to you, our followers, at this time of Thanksgiving.  We are grateful for you our followers.  Each blogger has different rules and ways to enter so please read each post with care, but have fun because there are alot of nice items being given away.  They should involve books in some way. 

Be sure to enter my giveaway before hopping to the next site.
PS  I'm also doing this giveaway @ 4 the LOVE of BOOKS #69 on the list (BTW~different group of books in the giveaway there.)

 Now for the giveaway here on 
Scraps of Life

authors Irene Brand and Anita Higman
Treasury of Christmas Recipies

Plus a surprise item.  
Why is is surprise? because I haven't decided what else to include.

Must be a follower
Mail anywhere no limit
Giveaway runs from Nov. 17th - Nov. 28th
Winner will be drawn on Nov. 29th
fill out the form below to enter


extra enteries
  • for those that have been follower of mine before this contest (Nov. 17th)
  • putting my button in on you blog 
  • posting about this giveaway hop
  • tell me what you are thankful for



Now Hop on over to the remaining blogs in this giveaway hop


Monday, November 15, 2010

Long Time Coming Vanessa Miller







This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Long Time Coming
Abingdon Press (November 1, 2010)
by
Vanessa Miller


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Vanessa Miller of Dayton, Ohio, is a best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. Her stage productions include: Get You Some Business, Don’t Turn Your Back on God, and Can’t You Hear Them Crying. Vanessa is currently in the process of turning the novels in the Rain Series into stage productions.

Vanessa has been writing since she was a young child. When she wasn’t writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels, reading great books consumed her free time. However, it wasn’t until she committed her life to the Lord in 1994 that she realized all gifts and anointing come from God. She then set out to write redemption stories that glorify God.

To date, Vanessa has completed the Rain and Storm Series. She is currently working on the Forsaken series, Second Chance at Love series and a single title, Long Time Coming. Vanessa believes that each book will touch readers across the country in a special way. It is, after all, her God-given destiny to write and produce plays and novels that bring deliverance to God’s people. These books have received rave reviews, winning Best Christian Fiction Awards and topping numerous Bestseller’s lists.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Two women from different worlds find hope together.

Faithful Christian Deidre Clark-Morris is a professional career-minded woman with a loving husband, but no children. Kenisha Smalls has lived in poverty all her life. She has three children by three different men and has just been diagnosed with inoperable cervical cancer.

While the meeting between these two women appears accidental, it becomes their catalyst of hope. Neither woman expects the blessing that God has in store for her. While Deidre will guide Kenisha on the path to eternal life with Jesus Christ, Kenisha will teach Deidre how to stand strong against the hard-knocks of life.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Long Time Coming, go HERE

Watch the book video:








Friday, November 12, 2010

cleaning out winnings...

Good Friday Morning to you all.  I'm trying to clean out my pictures of things I've won in the past.  I don't remember where all they have come from .....However, you should find great giveaways from places in my side bar icons.  Many are hosting holiday party giveaways.  Check out the sites...

Here are things I've won....


I won some Birthday Chronicles... from RWR Innovations.  These are really cool.  check them out you may find some Christmas gifts.