I've been promoted!

Recently I was contacted by Clash Entertainment with an opportunity to have some of my YA reviews promoted on their website. They chose my review of Along Wooded Paths, which you can read on their website here! I am so grateful to have my blog promoted and have the chance to hopefully meet some new people! If you have the chance you should check out their website; they have tons of great stuff pertaining to YA books :)

IMM: 10/23/11 (and update!)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.

For Review:
The Jesus Experiment by Bill Perkins (Thanks Tyndale Blogging Network!)

Dewey's Readathon

So... I'm supposed to be participating in Dewey's readathon today. I started at 5AM my time, but I ended up sleeping in until 11AM since I got no sleep the night before. I am hoping to get some reading in, but it won't be a lot. I have choir practice later this evening, and then I need to be in bed by at least midnight so I can get up for church tomorrow. I'll post updates as I get stuff read :)

1)Where are you reading from today? My dorm room in Oregon :)
2)Three random facts about me… I'm left-handed, I have a love for contemporary books, and I am a tech geek :P
3)How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? Right now... one. Haha. I don't think I'll have the time to finish more than that. The sad life of a college student...
4)Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)? My only goal is to finish my current read. If I finish that, I will be amazed!
5)If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time?  This is my second year, and I can tell you that if you plan to do it amidst school, get most of your homework done first :P

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? STILL reading God Makes Lemonade :P
2. How many books have you read so far? 0.... #fail
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Assuming I finish my current one, I'm going to read Forever by Judy Blume next. I'm excited!
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? I attempted to... but did not succeed :/
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Yes... roommates and homework. I got most of my homework done, and will finish the rest tomorrow. My roommates are leaving tonihgt so I'll have some time alone :)
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? How much people are able to read! It's insane.
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? For me personally, I will barricade myself on my bunk bed and ban my roommates from bugging me :P
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? As stated above, I am going to try and put all my focus into reading.
9. Are you getting tired yet? Not really.
10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered? Food helps keep you going :)

End Challenge:
1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Um... all of them??? Haha.
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? I don't know any in particular. Just any that are in that reader's favorite genres.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? For myself, I definitely need to plan a few days in advance to be prepared.
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? The cheerleaders!
5. How many books did you read? None :/
6. What were the names of the books you read? I only read one or two chapters from God Makes Lemonade.
7. Which book did you enjoy most? See above.
8. Which did you enjoy least? None.
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? N/A
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? I will be participating next year! I might even be a host, we'll see :)

Mini Review and Blog Tour: Lost in Dreams.

Lost in Dreams by Roger Bruner

Release Date: July 1, 2011

Publisher: Barbour Publishing Inc.

Genre: Christian Contemporary Fiction
Series: Altered Hearts #2

Pages: 368

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

Join eighteen-year-old Kim Hartlinger, as she arrives home from a life-changing mission trip to a remote Mexican village. This second novel in a new series for teen girls will challenge your faith—and capture your heart—as you journey with Kim through the biggest struggle of her life and faith.

I was very excited to get started on this one after finishing the first one! The one pretty much starts from the exact end of the first one. Kim returns home to devastating news, which sends her into a strong period of grief. I found it hard to deal with that part, especially after having just finished the emotional ending of the first one. She manages to keep herself going with the thought of her next mission trip, which she throws  herself into.

I enjoyed the return of Aleesha, and I loved the addition of Jo. This one wasn't quite as moving towards the end as the first one was, but it is still worth it!

This book was received free for review from the author. I was not required to give a positive review, simply an honest one.

Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Found in Translation by Roger Bruner by clicking on the links below, and check out www.NovelTeen.com for more information about Team Novel Teen.

The Librarian’s Bookshelf • Rachelle Rea • Meditations of His Love • The Book Fae  • My Life with a Mission  • Legacy of a Writer  • Book Reviews by Lady Katy • Reviews by Jane  • Jill Williamson

New website!

I don't usually do site or product reviews, but I got an e-mail for an opportunity to promote this website so I thought I'd check it out. Rising Taste is a fashion website with VERY cheap prices. I was impressed by some of their prices! I admit, I went a little crazy when deciding which ones to post on here, so be prepared for a huge amount of photos :P (All photos link to their product pages!)

Aren't those just amazing? I could always use more sun dresses and blouses :) And that coat! They also have some cute jeans for less than $20! Amazing right? Head over and check them out! You won't regret it!

Review: Diary of a Teenage Girl: Becoming Me

Diary of a Teenage Girl: Becoming Me by Melody Carlson

Release Date: August 10, 2000

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Genre: Christian Contemporary

Series: Caitlin #1

Pages: 256

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

In the fictional Diary of a Teenage Girl, sixteen-year-old Caitlin O'Conner reveals the inner workings of a girl caught between childhood and womanhood ... an empty life without Christ and a meaningful one with Him. Through Caitlin's candid journal entries we see her grapple with such universal teen issues as peer pressure, loyalty, conflict with parents, the longing for a boyfriend, and her own spirituality.

Follow Caitlin O'Conner, a girl much like yourself, as she makes her way from New Year's to the first day of summer -- surviving a challenging home life, changing friends, school pressures, an identity crisis, and the uncertainties of "true love."

You'll cry with Caitlin as she experiences heartache, and cheer for her as she encounters a new reality in her life: God. See how rejection by one group can -- incredibly -- sometimes lead you to discover who you really are...

I very much enjoy books that are written in a diary style, and this one was no exception. Caitlin is very honest about her life, which is very much like a typical teenager. She loses her best friend for popularity, and then regains her when the popular crowd drops her again. She falls in love with the same boy, again and again. But most important of all, she finds God. She struggles with many things in her life, as a typical teenager does. This book shows exactly how a normal life is, and what good can come of it!

I received this book free for review from Glass Road Blog Tours. I was not required to post a positive review, simply an honest one.

Mini Review and Blog Tour: Reclaiming Lily

Reclaiming Lily by Patti Lacy

Release Date: October 1, 2011

Publisher: Bethany House

Genre: Christian Contemporary

Pages: 380

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

A storm the size of Texas brews when Gloria Powell and Kai Chang meet in a Dallas hotel. They have come to discuss the future of Lily, the daughter Gloria adopted from China and the sister Kai hopes to reclaim. Kai is a doctor who had to give up her little sister during the Cultural Revolution and has since discovered that an inherited genetic defect may be waiting to fatally strike Lily.

Gloria's relationship with her daughter is tattered and strained, and the arrival of Kai, despite the woman's apparent good intentions, makes Gloria fearful. Gloria longs to restore her relationship with Lily, but in the wake of this potentially devastating diagnosis, is Kai an answer to prayer...or will her arrival force Gloria to sacrifice more than she ever imagined?

This book was so touching! I found myself in tears more than once. I could feel the pain and desire each woman had for this girl, and that ultimately they only wanted her to have a fulfilling and happy life. I can't imagine having to battle someone like that! This book was very real; it showed how two people can love another person so much and in two totally different ways, and that they can work together to keep her life going strong.

Patti Lacy is celebrating the release of her latest book, Reclaiming Lily,  with a KindleTouch Giveaway, blog tour and FB Book Chat Party!

Follow the blog tour and read the reviews!

Patti and her publisher, Bethany House, are giving away a Reclaiming Lily prize package worth over $150 to one lucky winner!!!!

Enter the Reclaiming Lily Giveaway and you could win:

• A brand new just released KindleTouch with Wi-Fi
• $25 gift cetificate to Amazon.com

But, wait there’s more!


Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. Giveaway ends on 10/19! Patti will be announcing the winner of the Reclaiming Lily Giveaway at her Party on Facebook October 20th! She’ll be hosting a book club chat of Reclaiming Lily (it's okay if you haven't read it - you could win a copy!) and giving away other fun prizes! (signed copies of her books and gift certificates to Amazon.com, Starbucks, & iTunes!). Don’t miss the fun at Patti’s FB Author Page on 10/20/11 at 5pm PST ( 6 pm MST, 7 pm CST, & 8 pm EST)! RSVP today!

 I received this book free for review from review from LitFuse Blog Tours. I was not required to give a positive review, simply an honest one.

 

Review - Found in Translation

Found in Translation by Roger Bruner

Release Date: January 1, 2011

Publisher: Barbour Books

Genre: Christian Contemporary

Series: Found in Translation #1

Pages: 368

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

Join spoiled eighteen-year-old Kim Hartlinger on a mission trip to a remote Mexican village where faith, obedience, and forgiveness intersect. This first novel in a brand-new series will challenge your faith and capture your heart as you get to know Kim and her new friends and witness their unforgettable journey.

This book awed me. At first I was confused, because Kim is described as a spoiled girl, but I didn't find her all that spoiled. She is simply a rich child who is used to being able to buy whatever. However, her personality was very down to earth, and she is very sweet.

Her relationships with the others blossom and encourage her experience on the trip. This book gave me a huge desire to use my Spanish abilities and share the gospel in other countries, especially seeing how much Kim learned from it.

The ending it so touching! It brought me to tears. This books is definitely a must-read, and I look forward to reading the sequel!

I received this book free for review from the author for a blog tour. I was not required to post an positive review, simply an honest one.

IMM: 10/16/11

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.

No new books this week! I apologize for the lack of reviews... Hopefully I will get back into reading soon! Hope everyone had a good week!

Mini Review and Blog Tour - Along Wooded Paths

Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer

Release Date: October 1, 2011

Publisher: B&H Books

Genre: Amish Fiction

Series: Big Sky #2

Pages: 320

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

All she wanted was a simple Amish life . . .

But now Marianna Sommer finds herself depending on Englisch neighbors. Although proud of living apart from the world, she and her newly relocated Amish family have discovered that life in the remote mountains of Montana requires working together.

As Marianna begins helping those different from herself—and receiving their help—her heart contemplates two directions. She’s torn between the Amish man from Indiana whom she has long planned on marrying and the friendly Englischer who models a closer walk with God than she’s ever seen before.
Who should have young Marianna’s heart? What is God asking her to sacrifice? Her traditions? Her community? The answer is found along the wooded paths.

I reas the first book in the series, Beside Still Waters, and I loved it. I was thrilled to get a chance to review this one too! This one was just as amazing. I love reading about the Amish, and it was a nice touch to have the romance aspect added. I was surprised about Marianna's indecision, but I feel like the ending was perfect. A great Amish read!

I received this book free for review from Litfuse Blog Tours. I was not required to post an positive review, simply an honest one.

Mini Review and Blog Tour - Diary of a Teenage Girl: Becoming Me

Diary of a Teenage Girl: Becoming Me by Melody Carlson

Release Date: August 10, 2000

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Genre: Christian Contemporary

Series: Caitlin #1

Pages: 256

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

In the fictional Diary of a Teenage Girl, sixteen-year-old Caitlin O'Conner reveals the inner workings of a girl caught between childhood and womanhood ... an empty life without Christ and a meaningful one with Him. Through Caitlin's candid journal entries we see her grapple with such universal teen issues as peer pressure, loyalty, conflict with parents, the longing for a boyfriend, and her own spirituality.

Follow Caitlin O'Conner, a girl much like yourself, as she makes her way from New Year's to the first day of summer -- surviving a challenging home life, changing friends, school pressures, an identity crisis, and the uncertainties of "true love."

You'll cry with Caitlin as she experiences heartache, and cheer for her as she encounters a new reality in her life: God. See how rejection by one group can -- incredibly -- sometimes lead you to discover who you really are...

This book is the journal to Caitlyn, a typical teenager trying to get through life. She experiences love, parental struggles, school, faith and so much more. I appreciated that this book was like a journal, because it made it seem so much more realistic and meaningful. It it a fairly short book, but one packed with so much meaning.

I received this book free for review from Glass Road Blogging for a blog tour. I was not required to post a positive review, simply an honest one.

Review - Past Perfect

Past Perfect by Leila Sales

Release Date: October 4, 2011

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 320

Format: eGalley

Buy It: Amazon

All Chelsea wants to do this summer is hang out with her best friend, hone her talents as an ice cream connoisseur, and finally get over Ezra, the boy who broke her heart. But when Chelsea shows up for her summer job at Essex Historical Colonial Village (yes, really), it turns out Ezra’s working there too. Which makes moving on and forgetting Ezra a lot more complicated…even when Chelsea starts falling for someone new.
Maybe Chelsea should have known better than to think that a historical reenactment village could help her escape her past. But with Ezra all too present, and her new crush seeming all too off limits, all Chelsea knows is that she’s got a lot to figure out about love. Because those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it….

I wanted this book the moment I first saw it on someones Waiting On Wednesday. I LOVE this cover, and I admit I judge books by their covers. However I haven't been reading a lot of contemporary lately, so when I saw that it was available on NetGalley, I immediately requested it.

I read through this book it two days. That may not seem fast, but when I have school  and homework, that is pretty quick! I loved this book, and I loved the quirky relationship between Chelsea and Dan from the moment they met. Fiona was a typical best friend, but she was enough so that it fit well with the flow of the story. I loved this book, but I felt it ended way too abruptly. It could have used a smoother ending. A must-read!

I received this book free for review from NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review, simply an honest one.

IMM: 10/9/11

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.

For Review:

God Makes Lemonade by Don Jacobson (Thanks Glass Road Blogging!)
Choker by Elizabeth Woods (Thanks Simon and Schuster!)

Mini Review and Blog Tour - Hello Hollywood

Hello Hollywood by Janice Thompson

Release Date: September 1, 2011

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 278

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

Athena Pappas is the head writer on one of the most popular sitcoms in television history. But when Vegas comedian Stephen Cosse is brought in to beef up the show's suddenly sagging ratings, she starts to worry about her job. Sparks fly as the competition--and attraction--between the two writers heats up. Athena has never had a problem scripting the romances of her characters. So why is her own love life so hard to script?

With humor and a Hollywood-insider viewpoint, Hello, Hollywood! delivers lots of laughs as the characters discover that not being in control of the plot of their lives might just be the best thing that ever happened to them.

Stars Collide is a popular sitcom that begins to see it's ratings fall. Athena, the head writer, brings in handsome comedian Stephen and the story comes to life. Before she meets him, Athena seems to worry too much about her show. Once Stephen comes into the picture, she livens up and spends a lot of time with him and making the show better.

As much as I liked their romance, I felt it was typical and predictable. I was a little disappointed by that. Overall however, a great romance novel!

I received this book free for review for a Revell blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review, simply an honest one

Review - A Lancaster County Christmas

A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Release Date: September 1, 2011

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Amish Fiction

Pages: 208

Format: Hardback

Buy It: Amazon

Jaime and C. J. Fitzpatrick began their married life as most couples do--in love and looking forward to a bright future together. But four years later they've drifted apart and are almost ready to call it quits.

Mattie Riehl was hoping to give her husband Sol the Christmas gift they have both longed for--news that a baby was on the way. But as usual, she is disappointed. The holidays bring an acute awareness to Mattie that her dream of a big family isn't likely to become a reality.

Then a winter storm raging outside blows the Fitzpatricks into the Riehl home--and into a much slower pace of life. Can these two couples from different worlds help each other understand the true meaning of love this Christmas?

With her trademark plot twists and attention to detail, Suzanne Woods Fisher offers readers a beautiful Christmas story of love, forgiveness, and what truly matters in life.

I loved this book from the start! I often forget how much I love Amish reads, and then I will read one and wonder why I don't read them more often. This one was no exception. From the beginning, I was captivated by the two families and their stark differences. Yet despite them, they are brought together by Danny.

Danny is part of the Amish family, but is so naturally kind that he quickly befriends Jaime. They all bond together as one blended group, and learn to accept each others differences the way they are. If you love Amish fiction, pick this one up!

I received this book free for review from a LitFuse blog tour. I was not required to give a positive review, simply an honest one.

Review - Playing Hurt

Playing Hurt: A Guy's Strategy for a Winning Marriage by Brian Goins

Release Date: June 24, 2011

Publisher: Kregel Publications

Genre: Christian non-fiction

Pages: 152

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

Everyone admires people who play hurt, from the superstar athlete to the journeyman player who finishes the game even when hurt, sick, or falling apart. Everyone looks up to these athletes and wants to mimic their "never give up" attitude. Except when it comes to marriage

I was initially nervous about reviewing this book because it is focused towards married men, and I am neither married nor a man. However, many of the tips in this book can apply to anyone, married or not.

One big focus was that men and women are different and they communicate differently. I will definitely be keeping this in mind when I'm married! This was a great book and I recommend it to all.

I received this book free for review from LitFuse for a blog tour. I was not required to post a positive review, simply an honest one.

IMM: 10/2/11

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.

Won:
The Fifth Specter by T.S. Welti(Thanks Tawni!)
Audiobook of The Fox Inheritance by Mary Pearson (Thanks Tara!)

Mini Review and Blog Tour - Deeply Devoted

Deeply Devoted by Maggie Brendan

Release Date: September 1, 2011

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Christian Romance
Series: Blue Willow Brides #1

Pages: 332

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

When Catharine Olsen leaves Holland for America as a mail-order bride, she brings along some extra baggage: two sisters, her mother's set of Blue Willow china, and a tragic past. When she arrives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, she promptly marries Peter Andersen and dreams of starting life over in this rugged land. Peter is kind and patient with Catharine and accommodating to her sisters. His mother, however, is not. When she begins a campaign to sabotage Peter's marriage, Catharine is distraught, worried that her secret past will be discovered. Will her life end up as nothing but broken pieces? Or will these trials make her stronger?

Readers will love negotiating the clash of cultures and class as a highborn European and a Western wheat farmer learn to love one another and trust God with both the past and the future.

I've always found it interesting to read books about Christian mail-order brides, because it happens very rarely. Catharine trusted God to lead her to a man that would take care of her, and He did. However, Peter's mother was not so kind. She constantly was against Catharine, which wore down on her nerves. Their marriage was new, so it didn't have much foundation to keep them up. Despite her trials, Catharine stayed strong to keep on track. This book has a heart-felt story that will appeal to any romance lover.

I received this book free for review for a Revell blog tour. I was not required to give a positive review, simply an honest one.