Book Review: The Choice by Robert Whitlow

Posted on August 28, 2012 · 2 Comments

The Choice
by Robert Whitlow
Publication Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Source: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my participation in a blog tour

The Choice is my first read by Robert Whitlow and I am impressed. The storyline captivated me from the first pages. I actually stayed up until the early hours of the night to read through Part I (approx. 150 pages) in one sitting! I truly did not want to put the book down. The author captures the voice of the female protagonist beautifully. She comes to life on the pages.

The novel opens in 1974 when 17 year old cheerleader, Sandy Lincoln, discovers she is pregnant with the popular football player’s baby. Sandy must make the agonizing choice whether to keep the baby, have an abortion, or give the baby up for adoption. The choice Sandy makes changes the course of her life forever.

Thirty-four years later, Sandy is a schoolteacher at the local high school. She comes into contact with a pregnant student who is facing an agonizing choice about her own pregnancy. Although the circumstances are different, Sandy has the opportunity to help this teenager in a way that was not available to her so long ago. She is also forced to confront many long buried feelings regarding her own pregnancy and the resulting outcome.

The Choice is full of many twists and turns. The plot is a bit far-fetched, but taking the story for what it is, I highly enjoyed it. The obvious theme running throughout the novel is that of choice. Each choice we make will affect not only our life, but the lives of those around us. And each choice has the potential to come back to us many years later, for good or for bad.

Highly Recommended.

*****

Meet Robert: 

Robert Whitlow is the best-selling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the prestigious Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction. A Furman University graduate, Whitlow received his J.D. with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review. A practicing attorney, Whitlow and his wife, Kathy, have four children. They make their home in North Carolina.

For more about Robert and his other books, visit www.robertwhitlow.com.

*****

Blog Tour Schedule

http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13527503/robertwhitlow

*****

Celebrate with Robert by entering to win a Nook Color with GlowLight!

See what folks are saying about The Choice!

One “choice” winner will receive:

  • A Nook Color with GlowLight
  • A four book Robert Whitlow library (winner’s choice)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 27th. Winner will be announced at the “The Choice” Author Chat Facebook Party on 8/28. Meet Robert, get a sneak peek of his next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and more. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group.)!

So grab your copy of The Choice and join Robert on the evening of the August 27th for a chance to connect with Robert and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Enter via E-mail Enter via FacebookEnter via Twitter



Don’t miss a moment of the RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!

*****

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews, Crazy Fabulous Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Blog Tour: The Beautiful Wife by Sandy Ralya

Posted on March 7, 2012 · Leave a Comment

About the book:
The Beautiful Wife
by Sandy Ralya
Source: I received a free copy of the book, prayer journal, and mentor’s guide for participation in this blog tour.

The Beautiful Wife uses these inspiring stories along with biblical principles to guide and encourage any wife looking for God’s best in her marriage. The Beautiful Wife answers serious questions women have about their roles as wives. Discussing everything from romance and money to beauty, communication, and sex, Sandy challenges women to open up and share their journeys so that together they can see God’s plan for their marriages. “It is my passion to help women discover God’s heart for their marriage, just as the other women helped me,” writes Sandy. “When women share with each other the details of their journeys with God as wives, it’s a beautiful thing indeed.” The Beautiful Wife has two companion resources - Prayer Journal and Mentor’s Guide.

My Thoughts:

I’ll be up front with you. I haven’t finished the book yet. But I am absolutely loving it! It’s one where you need to read it slowly, savoring each morsel and incorporating the Prayer Journal for a fully in-depth experience. The Prayer Journal offers guided journaling, scripture references, places to record prayers for yourself and your husband (and to record when they are answered!), and more. The book is set up for either an individual or small group experience. I am currently just reading it on my own, but I am getting so much out of it. I would definitely recommend it for a small group of women to study together. It will help you think through God’s plan for you and your spouse, even if you have those “but how” and “what if” questions! Sandy is honest about her own marriage which is refreshing and helped me to connect with her on a more personal level. It made the book more real to me and didn’t feel like someone preaching at me; rather, I felt like this is someone who has been through some tough times and who I can relate to. I truly respect her for her transparency. The book is very conversational in tone and quite easy to read. It feels like you are having coffee with a friend. I can’t wait to get back and dig in some more!

The optional Mentor’s Guide will also show women’s ministry leaders how to start a Beautiful Womanhood small group in their church and how to prepare to lead the small group discussions each week. There is also discussion on the basics of mentoring, such as confidentiality, the nuts and bolts of meeting in your home, dealing with potential problems, as well as a hostess guide on creating a welcoming atmosphere for your fellow small group members. A week-by-week Leader’s Guide gives instruction on what to do before and during the meeting, including prayer, accountability, recap, points to emphasize, loving God’s Word, and first steps for next time. The Mentor’s Guide is a great resource, especially for someone who may be new to mentoring and needs something to grab onto to feel more confident in their new role. Experienced mentors may find some good nuggets within these pages as well.

About Sandy Ralya: 
Sandy Ralya is the founder and director of Beautiful Womanhood, a marriage mentoring ministry based near Grand Rapids, Mich. Her marriage testimony was the focus of a popular three-day interview on FamilyLife Today, TV’s Walking by Faith, and Time Out for Women. Sandy is a sought-after speaker, presenting BeautifulWomanhood seminars to hundreds of women each year at MOPS groups, women’s retreats, and church leadership conferences across the country and in Canada. Sandy and her husband Tom have been married since 1980, and have a growing number of grandchildren.  www.beautifulwomanhood.com

 

Video Links:
1.  Sandy’s Testimony. This is directed primarily at wives. Sandy speaks to the mentors for a few seconds near the end, but her testimony will be one that resonates with wives as well.
2.  About BEAUTIFUL WOMANHOOD Ministry. This uses Sandy’s experience to speak directly to the marriage mentor to encourage and equip her role as a mentor.
*****

Celebrate with Sandy by entering her Kindle Touch Giveaway and coming to her “Beautiful Womanhood” Facebook Party {3/8}!

One beautiful winner will receive:

  • A Brand new Kindle Touch with Wi-Fi
  • The Beautiful Wife By Sandy Ralya
  • The Beautiful Wife Prayer Journal and Mentor’s Guide

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/7/12. Winner will be announced at Sandy’s “Beautiful Womanhood” Facebook Party on 3/8. Sandy will be hosting an evening of chat, laughter and encouragement – bring your friends! She’ll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, prayer journals and a live chat with Sandy for your Bible study or small group!

So grab your copy of The Beautiful Wife and join Sandy and friends on the evening of March 8th for an evening of fun.

Enter via E-mail Enter via FacebookEnter via Twitter

Don’t miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on March 8th!

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Book Review & Giveaway: Mornings with Jesus (Litfuse Blog Tour)

Posted on February 20, 2012 · 2 Comments

Mornings with Jesus 2012
Daily Encouragement for your Soul – 366 Devotions
Devotions Written by: Judy Baer, Gwen Ford Faulkenberry, Tricia Goyer, Sharon Hinck, Keri Wyatt Kent, Erin Keeley Marshall, and Camy Tang
Published by Guideposts
377 pages
Source: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group for my participation in a virtual blog tour and book review.

About the Book:

“Be still and know that I am God.” is one of the most beautiful verses from the Bible, but it’s not easy to practice in this busy world. Mornings with Jesus will help you do just that—“be still” in Jesus’ beautiful and powerful presence. For those who are seeking a deeper experience in their relationship with Christ, Mornings with Jesus offers a fresh perspective of who Jesus is (the Healer, the Son of God, the Comforter, the Good Shepherd) and what that means for day-to-day life. With a warm and friendly voice, 365 short devotional writings on the character and teachings of Jesus encourage readers to greet each day by drawing near to Him and inviting His presence into their day. Spend time with Jesus at the beginning of each day and experience His nearness and peace in a new way throughout the year. Each day’s selection includes: • a Bible verse • an entry based on Jesus: His words, miracles, and parables; His wisdom, compassion, and comfort; His mystery, power, divinity, and humanity • a “faith step” that will inspire and challenge readers to apply the day’s message to their lives.

This beautiful devotional book is an invitation to begin your day with Jesus. Each devotion is a page long and begins with a short piece of scripture, a devotion from one of seven women writers relating to the verses, and ends with a Faith Step – a way for you to take action on that days scripture reference and devotion.

I have a story to tell about my experience with this book. First, the book was very delayed in getting to me because when I submitted my address to Litfuse Publicity Group (so they could send me a copy), my phone autocorrected my street name (I didn’t pay attention). Thus, I didn’t get the book until the beginning of February. When I got it, I read the first day’s devotion (I think it was February 4) and, I will be honest here, I completely forgot about the book. My mornings are crazy. I oversleep almost every morning and run around like a madwoman trying to get ready for work, so stopping to take time to read one of the devotions just has not worked for me. It is good in theory and I really want to do it; I just haven’t worked out that area of my life yet!

On February 16, I was having my typical morning – running late. But, I felt a prompting to open the devotional and read the day’s message. So, I did. Let me back up a second and say that God has been hounding me for quite a while now about getting down to the business of writing. I keep putting it aside, thinking “What do I have to add to what’s already out there?“, “Aren’t there already enough Christian writers out there?“, “What story do I need to be telling?“, and my personal favorite “Maybe I’m wrong about what I’m hearing about this writing thing.”

So, let me share what the February 16 devotion is:

“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:19 (NIV)

Weary, beat-up and burned-out, I had reached a point where I was questioning everything. Especially the persistent whisper of God to write, of all things, Christian Books.

I was still the mom of young children. I had written one book, but wasn’t sure what was next. My husband was wondering why I didn’t find a job in PR or some other more lucrative form of writing. I was overcommitted at church and at my kids’ school – hemmed in by a fence I’d built myself.

On the advice of a mentor, I scheduled a day of solitude at a retreat center. I needed some time with Jesus, just the two of us.

I prayed, searching the Psalms for the comfort they always bring. I lingered in Psalm 18, making its laments my own, longing for its promises to be true. Needing fresh air, I took a walk, following a path through a small woodland, praying as I went. Don’t you have enough Christian book writers? I asked Jesus. I’m pretty busy.

The path through the woods led to a huge open field bordered on all four sides by ancient woods. I stood in that spacious place, which Jesus had brought me to. I listened, recalled the words I’d read. And believed – He delighted in me. I had been rescued by Jesus, who’d saved me for a purpose. Did I trust His calling? Could I rest in that spacious place, enjoy the fact that in spite of my questions and doubts, He delighted in me?

In that spacious place, god gave me a picture of what my life could be if I said no to all the things that cluttered it, so I could say yes to His purpose for me.

–Keri Wyatt Kent

Faith step: Is there an area in your life where you feel crowded by questions and doubts? Where you are questioning God’s calling? Ask Him to bring you to a spacious place, where you can feel His delight in you.

So, I stood there, literally shaking, mouth ajar. Sometimes I am just amazed at how real God is and how He makes himself known. I’ve been having doubts about writing and He gave me an answer. He keeps confirming to me, over and over, that this is what He wants me to do. I know this has nothing to do with a book review, but it was such a powerful moment for me, I wanted to share it with you.

This book is really wonderful. The readings are short, but are impactful. They allow you to start your day focusing on Jesus and His love for you. What a beautiful way to start your day! They give you something to meditate on and think about as you go through your day. You can also take the scripture reference and use it for more in-depth Bible study, at your leisure. I would definitely recommend this devotional book.

View the rest of the blog tour HERE.

Giveaway:

I have one copy of this devotional to give away to a reader in the USA!

Rules:
1. Fill out your name and e-mail address in the Contestmachine widget below.
2. The giveaway will end on February 27, 2012 at 11:59pm EST.
3. I will contact the winner at the conclusion of the giveaway. He/She will have 48 hours from the date of my email to contact me with his/her full name and mailing address. Failure to respond in the allotted time will forfeit the prize and a new winner will be selected.
4. I will mail directly to the winner. I am not responsible for lost or misdirected prize shipments. It is the winner’s responsibility to ensure that the information provided to me is accurate.

Good Luck!


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Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews, Giveaway Tagged With: , ,

Just Started: The Shadow of Your Smile by Susan May Warren

Posted on January 6, 2012 · 2 Comments

The Shadow of Your Smile
by Susan May Warren
Pub Date: December 16, 2011
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Synopsis:

Sometimes love requires a little forgetting.

A beautiful blanket of snow may cover the town of Deep Haven each winter, but it can’t quite hide the wreckage of Noelle and Eli Hueston’s marriage. After twenty-five years, they’re on the brink of divorce when an accident erases part of Noelle’s memory. Though her other injuries are minor, she doesn’t remember Eli, their children, or the tragedy that has ripped them apart.

What’s more, Noelle is shocked that her life turned out nothing like she dreamed it would. What happened to her ambitions? Could she really be married to this grizzly man?

As she steps back into her role as wife and mother, Eli attempts to help with both humorous and heartwarming results. But can she fall in love again with a man she can’t remember? Will the secrets she discovers destroy them . . . or has erasing the past given them a chance for the future?

***

I am just starting this book as I will be participating in a blog tour through Litfuse Publicity Group later this month.  My initial thoughts are very positive.  I love the cover and the writing style of the author.  The story has grasped my attention immediately.  I can’t wait to see how it plays out!  Stay tuned for my full review!

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Filed Under: Blog Tour Tagged With: , ,

Review & Kindle Touch Giveaway: Remembering You by Tricia Goyer

Posted on November 28, 2011 · 2 Comments

Remembering You
by Tricia Goyer
Publication Date:  November 2011
Publisher:  Guideposts
Purchase this book - Amazon

Source:  I received a free copy of this book for my participation in a blog tour through Litfuse Publicity Group.
View the full Blog Tour Schedule HERE.

About the book:

Television producer Ava Ellington cannot refuse her grandfather’s last wish – that she accompany him to Europe on a tour of World War II battle sites.  Ava has little interest in historical battles, but this may be her last chance to break down the barriers that have grown up between them, and she sets off, camera in hand, ready to record and report on their journey.  She and Grandpa Jack are greeted in Paris by Paul, her grandpa’s best friend, and his grandson Dennis.  The Dennis who just happens to be Ava’s first love.

History comes alive as the group travels across Europe – from the romantic sights of Paris to the bleak battlefields of Belgium to the Austrian labor camp these men liberated so many years before – and Ava sees a side of her grandfather she’s never known before.  As he shares his memories of those bitter days on the battlefield, she begins to understand how his experiences in the war made him the man he is today.

Throughout the journey, Ava and Dennis are drawn together in ways neither of them expected.  Can their memories of the past lead to a bright new future?

Read an excerpt, watch a video and find out more here. http://www.triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#RememberingYou

My Thoughts:

I love novels centered around World War II and although this is a contemporary work of fiction, it is based on two grandfathers recalling their stories from the front lines of the war against Hitler’s regime and the ultimate liberation of the Jewish people from one of the many concentration camps, specifically Mauthausen in Austria.  In their 80′s, Grandpa Jack and his best friend and WWII buddy, Gran Paul, are fantastic characters, brimming with life.  You can feel their emotional turmoil as they recount their numerous stories as the foursome make their way across Europe, from Paris to Belgium, through Germany into Austria.  The angst lying under the surface as they watch their friends dying; their joy and horror at opening the gate to the Mauthausen concentration camp rings very true to life and I was very caught up in their tales.  The side stories with Jack as he comes to terms with some of the things he had to do during battle were heartbreaking and I felt truly sorry for the young man that he was, having to experience what he did.

Although I loved the historical aspects of this novel, the rest of it fell flat for me.  I did not care for the main character, Ava.  She was not a likable character at all.  I kept wanting to like her, but she kept doing silly and stupid things that made me dislike her even more.  Eventually I just got tired of her.  I never connected with her as a character or really knew what she was about.  All she seemed to care about was her job and getting the next camera shot.  It was agonizingly frustrating considering how much I enjoyed the other parts of this book.  Her relationship with her grandfather, Grandpa Jack, seemed strained at best and I never really felt a connection between them, which is unfortunate.

Dennis and Ava’s relationship is pretty awkward.  It isn’t until 230+ pages in that we learn the whole story of their past and why things are so weird between them.  They are on a roller coaster of emotions with each other and it is frustrating trying to figure out what the issues are between them when neither of them will talk about anything!

Finally, considering this book is Christian Fiction and published by Guideposts, I was a little surprised that there wasn’t some conclusion to Ava’s spiritual development at the end of the novel.  Prayer and God were touched on throughout the book (but not overly so), but I was expecting some kind of wrap-up to the journey I went though for 300 pages, or at least some type of “it’s in the works” statement.  But, it seemed to solely focus on the relationship between her and Dennis and making sure all of those loose ends were tied up.  It left me wanting more.

Overall, an okay read, especially for those who love the historical aspects of World War II. There’s a fantastic author’s note at the end regarding her interviews of veterans and some of her research.

About Tricia:

Tricia Goyer is the author of thirty books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. On Tricia’s weekly radio show, Living Inspired, she shares stories of inspiration and encouragement. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

For more about Tricia and her other books visit www.triciagoyer.com

Win a Kindle Touch for YOU and a Friend from Tricia Goyer!

Tricia Goyer is celebrating the release of her novel, Remembering You, with a KINDLE Touch Giveaway for you … and for the friend of your choice. Then on 11/29 she’ll be wrapping up the release of Remembering You with a Book Chat Party!

During the first half of the party Tricia will be chatting, sharing a sneak peek of her next book, and giving away a ton of great stuff. Then she’ll head over to her website for a Live Chat! Readers will be able to chat with Tricia via video or text.

Don’t miss your chance to win a Kindle Touch for yourself … and to “remember” a friend this holiday with a Kindle Touch for them!

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A Brand New Kindle Touch and a Kindle Touch for a Friend (winner’s choice!)
  • A copy of Remembering You by Tricia Goyer for each

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on November 29th. Winner will be announced at Remembering You Facebook Party on 11/29. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away copies of her other WWII books and gift certificates to Starbucks and Amazon.com. So grab your copy of Remembering You and join Tricia on the evening of the 29th for an author chat, a trivia contest (How much do you know about WWII?) and lots of giveaways.

Enter via E-mail Enter via FacebookEnter via Twitter

Don’t miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!!

Disclosure: Crazy-for-Books is NOT giving away a Kindle Touch. I am merely providing this information as part of the blog tour for Tricia Goyer. Please read and review the Kindle Touch giveaway information above to find out how to enter. Thank you.

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews, Crazy Good Tagged With: , , , , , , ,