Of Feathers and Friends by Darlene Hoggard Davis

“Nobody loves me. Everybody hates me. I'm gonna go eat worms.”

While Tyler knew he wouldn't really eat worms, he did not feel loved. His parents sent him to live with his grandmother when they separated. Was he angry? You bet. Was he confused? Absolutely. Where did he fit in? He didn't know any more.

After an argument with his grandmother, Tyler decided to run away. “I'll show them I can take care of myself.” Tyler Andrews doesn't need anyone!

Tyler grabbed his piggy bank and his Dad's Navy ring and ran out the back door. He ran until he couldn't run any further. Too stubborn to turn back, he walked further and further into the woods behind grandma's house, scolding himself because he hadn't thought this plan all the way through. And it would be dark soon. Tyler looked up and saw a flash of red. What was it? What luck! It was a flag waving from a window of a tree house. A tree house!

Climbing up the ladder nailed into the tree, Tyler's resolve to take care of himself returned. Nothing would change his mind now. Really? What would happen when Cody and Jenna find him? What would happen when he meets Melody? Will these neighbor kids turn him in? What will he do with the wounded sparrow he finds beneath the tree house?

Follow Tyler on his adventure to find his place in this world. Laugh or cry with him, whatever you need to do. You might just find you've grown up a little, too.

Running away may seem exciting, but Tyler finds out very quickly it isn't at all what he thought it would be like.  Tyler makes friends with both people and animals.  He must learn to trust others in return he tries to get hurt animals to trust him for help.  

Your child will fall in love with Davis' Tyler and his friends in Of Feathers and Friends.  An excellent adventure book for young and old alike.  Beautiful read-a-loud for the whole family.  There's adventure and mystery, something that is bound to intrigue all ages, as you turn the pages of this lovely book. Themes include:  working out a divorce, feeling unloved, making friends, trusting others, and more.  The discussions could head in any direction as you read and talk about this book.  I can't wait for another book from Mrs. Davis.  I'd snatch it up in no time.  If you are looking for a good Christian book that is appropriate then look no further. 

Click here to read a sample chapter
Click here for more information about this book
Blog tour page 

http://goo.gl/aTAVF1 (Amazon - paperback)

http://goo.gl/0HPEd2 (Amazon - Kindle)

About the Author
Darlene Hoggard Davis is a retired elementary vocal music teacher who has been a substitute teacher, a volunteer teacher and a children's music leader at her church. She still teaches piano. Darlene has worked with kids for more than 40 years, including raising her own two sons. Along the way, she started writing for children, and occasionally taught writing sessions with the students. Darlene and her husband, Charles, live in Deckerville, a small village in the "thumb" of Michigan.

a copy of this book was provided in exchange for my honest review by...

Another One sandwiched

Well, I got one quilt completed this month.  It was one of those this must get it done projects.  I wanted to have it done to give to my dad when I went home on vacation two weeks ago.  Well, 30 min. before loading the car I was sewing the binding on by machine.  From Fargo, ND to Milwaukee, WI I hand stitched the binding while riding on Amtrak.  Mission was accomplished.  Quilt was completed.  However, in all the hustle and bustle I forgot to take a picture of the finished product.  Bummer!

Now, tonight I sandwiched a baby quilt....

this quilt is for...

fabric Tuesday

In the Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing In The Field of Grace River North; New Edition edition (July 1, 2014) by Tessa Afshar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

TESSA AFSHAR was voted "New Author of the Year" by the Family Fiction sponsored Reader's Choice Award 2011 for her novel Pearl in the Sand. She was born in Iran, and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She moved to England where she survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, before moving to the United States permanently. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds an MDiv from Yale University where she served as co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School. She has spent the last thirteen years in full-time Christian work.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Destitute, grief-stricken, and unwanted by the people of God, Ruth arrives in Israel with nothing to recommend her but Naomi's, love. Her loftiest hope is to provide enough food to save Naomi and herself from starvation.

But God has other plans for her life. While everyone considers Ruth an outcast, she is astounded to find one of the most honored men of Judah showing her favor. Long since a widower and determined to stay that way, Boaz is irresistibly drawn to the foreign woman with the haunted eyes. He tells himself he is only being kind to his Cousin Naomi's chosen daughter when he goes out of his way to protect her from harm, but his heart knows better.

Based on the biblical account of Ruth, In the Field of Grace is the story of a love that ultimately changes the course of Israel's destiny and the future of the whole world.


If you would like to read the first chapter of In The Field of Grace, go HERE.

I couldn't resist

Yeap even on vacation I had to stop by some fabric stores and as always didn't come out empty handed.  Here are my goodies I left with...three panels....

My daughter did her internship in Washington, DC, with our US Senator, so this will become a wall hanging as a memorabilia for her. 

Hubby is wanting me to make him a quilt so this will be the center.  He loves eagles. 

Last but not least I couldn't resist this for me....

We visited Shipshewana, in IN.  Yeap Amish country...Here's another yard good I got to go along with this one.

Firewall by DiAnn Mills

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Firewall Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (July 1, 2014) by DiAnn Mills

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

DiAnn Mills believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” She is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. Her books have won many awards through American Christian Fiction Writers, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005, 2007, and 2010. She was a Christy Award finalist in 2008 and a Christy winner in 2010.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and is the Craftsman Mentor for the Christian Writer’s Guild. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops.

DiAnn and her husband live in Houston, Texas. Visit her website or find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/diannmills


ABOUT THE BOOK

After a whirlwind romance, Taryn Young is preparing to board a plane at Houston International Airport, bound for a dream honeymoon, when a bomb decimates the terminal. Injured but still alive, she awakens to discover her husband is missing and they’re both considered prime suspects in the attack. Further, the FBI is convinced her husband isn’t who he appears to be.

Agent Grayson Hall’s number-one priority is to catch those responsible for the day’s act of terror. All evidence is pointing to Taryn and her new husband. But his instinct tells him her pleas of innocence are genuine. Is her naiveté just for show, or could she truly be another victim of a master scheme, possibly linked to the software she recently developed for her company?

With both their lives and reputations on the line, and the media outcry for justice increasing with each passing minute, Taryn and Grayson have no choice but to trust one another . . . and pray they can uncover the truth before they become two more casualties.

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

Sewing Time

Let's get sewing....Sew, last fall I won this front panel material from Hopeful Threads

with the terms I'd sew a quilt for her challenge... Well needless to say...I failed in the Nov. Challenge.  Life happened and it got put on the back burner every month.  However, I did go out and buy this...

 for the back and finishing up with all great intents.  Sew now this challenge has come along and I really need to get this quilt completed.  Sew I'm going to try to get it done for this quarter challenge. 

Keep kids reading all summer long

Take part of the Summer Superstars: Reading AND Writing Makes Kids Shine literacy campaign.

In order to keep kids engaged we are offering enticing prizes including:

• Weekly drawings for $20 Amazon gift cards and Wigu Books
• Two Grand Prize winning readers will receive $100 Amazon Gift Cards and Wigu Books
• 10 Writing Finalists will receive $100 Amazon Gift Cards and Wigu Books 

The Grand Prize Winning Writer will receive a $250 Amazon Gift Card, Wigu Books, and a $1,000 donation to the school or library of his or her choice....just for letting his or her imagination and creative writing flow! Entry details here.

About Wigu Publishing

Wigu Publishing is a collaboration among talented and creative individuals working together to publish informative and fun books for our children. Our titles serve to introduce children to the people in their communities who serve others through their vocations. Wigu's books are unique in that they help our children to visualize the abundant opportunities that exist for them to be successful and to make a difference. Our goal is to inspire the great leaders and thinkers of tomorrow.

Rival Hearts by Tara Randel

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Rival Hearts Abingdon Press (June 17, 2014) by Tara Randel

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tara Randel has enjoyed a lifelong love of books, especially romance and mystery genres, so it didn't come as a surprise when she began writing with the dream of becoming published. After finding Romantic Times magazine in a bookstore many years ago, she found information about writing organizations. Soon after, she joined Romance Writers of America. She located the local RWA chapter and immediately attended her first meeting. There was no stopping her after that!

Through Tampa Area Romance Authors, Tara learned all about the business of publishing, starting with the craft of writing to behind the scenes of publishing. She served as contest coordinator for four years and served as President for one year, enjoying the organization and the lasting friendships made there.

When not writing, Tara owns a business with her husband and stays busy with her two daughters. She lives on the West Coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets inspire the creation of heartwarming stories, filled with love, laughter and the occasional mystery. Enjoy!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Molly Henderson and Ben Weaver have been rival magazine writers for the same publishing group for years. When both come up for the same promotion, they find themselves in an unexpected competition to win the spot. Molly, editor of Quilter’s Heart, and Ben, editor of Outdoor Adventures, must switch roles, each working for the other for one month, then submit an article at the end of their quests.

Can girly-girl Molly survive the outdoor adventures that Ben has planned? Can Ben navigate the perils of the social dynamics of quilting events without destroying a valuable quilt in one short month? More importantly, in this he-said, she-said situation, will Molly and Ben give in to their attraction and fall in love, no matter who wins?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Rival Hearts, go HERE.

Got 'er sandwiched

Last night was the first I've set down at the sewing machine in awhile.  No one was home so it was just me, the music and the project.  I got my next project sandwiched together.  Progress was made.  ;P

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Sandwich, but not edible

It's happening tonight....

WooHoo.  I got a get off here and get going ....but it is happening tonight.  Finally, a free Friday night.  I'm going to be sewing.  Stay tune for what was completed. 

Blog changes....coming this fall

July and August changes are coming...Over the summer I'm going to blend together my two blogs into one.  The new name will be The Blended Blog....where books, sewing, recipes crafts, and life just happens.  I have been debating this merger since last fall.  Now that I've worked pretty much full time for 10 months I'm finding it hard to keep both blogs going.  Not much will change.  I'll still have book reviews, my life happenings (as I can post them), giveaways, and everything I've had on both blogs.  I'm just merging the information from my two blogs  4 the LOVE of BOOKS  and Scraps of Life  (this site) into one..  I do have some commitments to this URL so I need to keep them, so I'll be posting to this blog and the other one throughout the summer; however, in Sept.  the merger will be fully completed at:

The Blended Blog

Yankee in Atlanta by Jecelyn Green

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Yankee in Atlanta River North(June 1, 2014) by Jocelyn Green

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jocelyn Green is a child of God, wife and mom living in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She is also an award-winning journalist, author, editor and blogger. Though she has written nonfiction on a variety of topics, her name is most widely recognized for her ministry to military wives: Faith Deployed. Her passion for the military family was fueled by her own experience as a military wife, and by the dozens of interviews she has conducted with members of the military for her articles and books, Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives and its sequel, Faith Deployed...Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives. She is also co-author of both Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan and Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front (forthcoming, May 2012). Her Faith Deployed Web site and Facebook page continue to provide ongoing support, encouragement and resources for military wives worldwide.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When soldier Caitlin McKae woke up in Atlanta after being wounded in battle, the Georgian doctor who treated her believed Caitlin's only secret was that she had been fighting for the Confederacy disguised as a man. In order to avoid arrest or worse, Caitlin hides her true identity and makes a new life for herself in Atlanta. Trained as a teacher, she accepts a job as a governess to the daughter of Noah Becker, a German immigrant lawyer, who is about to enlist with the Rebel army. Then in the spring of 1864, Sherman's troops edge closer to Atlanta. Caitlin tries to escape north with the girl, but is arrested on charges of being a spy. Will honor dictate that Caitlin follow the rules, or love demand that she break them?

Id you would like to read the first chapter of Yankee in Atlanta, go HERE.