The Red X!!!

As you can probably tell by the photo on the left today is February 27. The day set aside for all people to show their support of the END IT MOVEMENT. Which I believe was started by Pastor Louie Giglio of the PASSION conference fame. We use this day to raise awareness of slavery.

Now I probably already know what your thinking. Slavery was abolished in the 1800's by President Abraham Lincoln. I'm writing this to tell you that slavery still exists, it is still alive today. It has only taken a different form. Sex Slavery.

My interest in getting involved and raising awareness about this particular issue began when I was first reading the Angel Eyes Trilogy by my friend Shannon Dittemore. Human trafficking is one of the issues/conflicts in her trilogy. (I highly recommend this series by the way.)

According to statistics, Sacramento is one of the top 5 in the United States suffering from a child trafficking epidemic. I live in Sacramento, this is my city. While I go about my day there are children, young women, and young men taken from their homes and families and put in absolutely unimaginable situations. 

This is not just a fight for the victims. This is OUR fight! Humans are NOT for sale!! I'm in it to END IT. Are you? If you want to be in it to END IT and get involved and fight this injustice please visit http://enditmovement.com/ for more information on how you can get involved and raise awareness.

REVIEW: A Stillness of Chimes by Meg Moseley

A Stillness of Chimes

Meg Moseley

Multnomah Books

February 18, 2014

{About the Book}

When Laura Gantt returns to Georgia to handle her late mother's estate, she hears a startling rumor---that her father staged his drowning years ago and has recently been spotted roaming the mountains. 

With the help of her former high school sweetheart, Laura searches for the truth. But will what they find destroy their rekindled feelings?

{My Review}

Meg Moseley's newest novel, A Stillness of Chimes, was quite the interesting read. For me, at first it was a little bit slow, but it picked up several chapters in. Set against the backdrop of the Georgia Mountains.  A Stillness of Chimes is a novel that includes family secrets, faith, friendship, heartbreak, hope, and redemption. Once I got several chapters in the pages kept turning. I wanted nothing more than to find out the conclusion.

The Storm Inside by Sheila Walsh

The Storm Inside

Thomas Nelson

February 14, 2014

5 Stars!

{About the Book}

Women feel the storm activity all around. We find ourselves teetering somewhere between everyday chaos and crisis.

We can feel a storm brewing, we are in the middle of a storm, or we are facing the aftermath of a storm. But don't be afraid because it is possible to grow through turbulent times.

Storms show you what's really going on inside, reveal what you really believe, and actually make you stronger. In this powerful book Sheila will help you: Redefine your failures as a new beginning instead of an end. Replace the words "always" and "never" in your life with positive declarations of hope. Know with confidence how to help a friend in chaos or crisis. 

{My Review}

The Storm Inside is a long awaited release for me. I love Sheila Walsh and all her books, fiction and non-fiction, and The Storm Inside did not disappoint. Sheila talks with about the storms that come and go in our lives. She talks as if she is our friend and we have known each other for years. She also does this with a gentle voice and no judgement. Every Christian woman needs to have The Storm Inside in their collection.

GIVEAWAY!!!

[Goodreads Blurb]

Self Preservation has never looked more tempting. 

1952 New York City: 
Callie Harper is a woman set to make it big in the world of journalism. Liberated from all but her buried and troubled past, Callie craves glamour and the satisfaction she knows it will bring. When one of America's most celebrated journalists, Wade Barnett, calls on Callie to help him with a revolutionary project, Callie finds herself co-pilot to a Christian man whose life and ideas of true greatness run noisily counter to hers on every point. 

The new friendship sparks, the project soars, and a faint suspicion that she is fall for this uncommon man grows in Callie's heart. When the secrets of Callie's past are exhumed and hung over her head as a threat, she is forced to scrutinize Wade Barnett and betray his dirtiest secrets or see her own spilled. 

Here there is space for only one love, one answer: betray Wade Barnett to save her reputation, or sacrifice everything for the sake of the man she loved and the God she fled. The consequences of either decision will define the rest of her life.

GOOD NEWS!!

The author of Fly Away Home, Rachel Heffington, is having an awesome giveaway on her blog. She is giving away 2 signed copies of Fly Away Home. 

You can enter the giveaway at the Ink Pen Authoress.

gods at War: Student Edition Review

[About the Book]

In this student edition of gods at war, Kyle Idleman, bestselling author of not a fan, helps us recognize there are false gods at war within each of us, and they battle for the place of glory and control in our lives. What keeps us from truly following Jesus Christ is that our hearts are pursuing something or someone else like money or popularity. While these pursuits may not be the 'graven images' of old, they are in fact modern day idols. Behind the sin you're struggling with, the fear you're dealing with, the lack of purpose you're living with is a false god that is winning the war for your heart.

[Review]

gods at War: Student Edition is a must have for all teens and college students. The author, Kyle Idleman really knows how to get his point across and do it with humor as well. Everything Kyle says will open your eyes and make you revaluate your life and see if you have any gods that you may never have thought you had.

Claiming Mariah Review

[About the Book]

In light of her father’s death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths: her father’s farm, the only home she’s ever known, was bought with stolen gold. With Slade ready to collect his father’s rightful claim and force Mariah and her family out on the streets, Mariah must turn to God for guidance. Though Mr. Frederick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry young man demanding her home.
With the ranch now under Slade’s careful eye, he will unearth more than he ever imagined as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal and murder threatens more than the well-being of the ranch, endangering the lives of those who hold it dear. With days dwindling until the rest of the Donovan clan arrive to the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before greed alters their futures forever.

[Review]

Claiming Mariah is a wonderful historical novel set during the Wild West. But it isn't your normal western romance novel. There are thieves, betrayal, and murder involved. If you want an edgy western romance novel I suggest you pick up a copy of Claiming Mariah.

#Plotting Help

#Plotting Help

So I have been in the process of plotting Sandcastles for a while now. Approximately 2 months or more. However, I have hit a bit of a snag. I am writing a Christian Romance novella and as we all know love triangles are the most common romantic conflict in Christian Romance. And that is my conundrum. I do not want to include a love triangle in my novella. And that is where ya'll come in. If ya'll could comment below and help me in choosing an alternative romantic conflict I would be much obliged.

COMMENT BELOW WITH YOUR IDEAS!!

THANKS!!

DOOM Awaits.........

Image Courtesy of Ramblings of a Wayward Author.

DOOM is a 2-month alternative to Nanowrimo. for those who may have a hard time writing 50,000 words in only 30 days. Or if you may just want to take your time with your WIP. DOOM gives you that chance.

I personally had pretty tough time trying to write 50,000 words in only one month. This past November I didn't make it. I only wrote about 18,000 words. Now I know DOOM is also for writing 50,000 words, however, I actually don't need to write that much. I am writing a novella, so 18,000 words or a bit less is just what I need. And the 2-month span, instead of 1-month will give me an opportunity to really take my time.

So DOOM is absolutely perfect for all you Nano Rebels.

DOOM spans from March & April. So I and others may miss the Spring Camp Nano, unless your really daring and want to do both.

You can join us here at the DOOM Facebook Group.

Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck Review

Princess Ever After

Rachel Hauck

February 4, 2014

Zondervan

5 Stars!

{About the Book}

Regina Beswick never dreamed of faraway places. She’s happy with her life as a classic car mechanic and owner of a restoration shop.

But an unexpected visitor and the discovery of a fairytale, drawn by her great-grandma, causes Regina to wonder if she might be destined for something more.

Tanner Burkhardt, Minister of Culture for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg, must convince the strong-willed Southerner, Miss Beswick, that she is his country’s long-lost princess. Failure could destroy his reputation and change his nation forever.

As Regina and Tanner face the challenges before them, neither are prepared for love to invade their hearts and change every thing they believe about themselves.

However, when a royal opponent nearly destroys Regina’s future, she must lean into God and trust He has sovereignly brought her to her true and final destiny.

{Review}

I have not read Once Upon A Prince yet, but it has been on my to-read list for a while. When I saw Princess Ever After was available for review on Booksneeze I jumped at the opportunity. I loved this book. It truly is Inspirational Romance at it's very best. Pick this one up ASAP!!

Forget Me Not Blog Tour

About the Book 

Prequel to Bleeding Heart

Old hurts, new betrayals, and a love that survives them all...

Summer 1885

A startling revelation sends Elizabeth Lawson escaping into a stormy night - and tosses her into the arms of a young mountain man with secrets of his own. When he offers to take her to the Nevada mining town where her long-lost brother lives, she accepts. Suspicions and uncertainties are pushed aside as she struggles to forge a future for herself by meeting her past. 

David has been hiding from his painful memories for years. The solitude and wildness of the Rocky Mountains are challenge and comfort enough for him - until Elizabeth's arrival. Fueled by anger and a sense of obligation, he strives to take control of his new situation...only to find control slipping from his grasp with each new emotion Elizabeth evokes in him.

When their journey leads them on unexpected paths, can two lonely hearts find the strength to remember the good amid the heartbreak?

Inspirational Historical Romance

Book Website:  http://forgetmenotnovel.blogspot.com/

Series Blog: http://theheartsspringseries.blogspot.com/

About the Author

Amber Stokes has a Bachelor of Science degree in English and a passion for the written word - from blogging to writing poetry, short stories, and novels. After her brief time at college in Oregon, she is now back home among the redwoods of Northern California, living life one day at a time and pursuing her passion via freelance editing and self-publishing.

Review:

Keep reading after my review to get all the information for the awesome giveaway that Amber is hosting. You will have chance to win a signed book, a CD, and a DVD. So make sure you keep reading to get your chance.

I am back once again with a review and blog tour post for my friend, Amber Stokes. For this blog post I will be reviewing the prequel to Bleeding Heart.

And here we go.....

Forget Me Not takes us back into the world of the American Wild Wild West, which is one of my favorite time periods and literature genres. We meet new characters such as our main characters Elizabeth and David. But we also are reacquainted with some familiar characters like Myghal! In Forget Me Not Elizabeth has to choose between two men who are vying for her heart. In the end Elizabeth makes her choice, but you will have to make the decision if you think Elizabeth chose the right man.

I normally don't enjoy love triangles, in fact, I absolutely LOATHE them. But I have to say Amber made it work well. In my own opinion, Elizabeth picked the right guy. *wink*

Amber crafted a wonderful and refreshing Inspirational Fiction novel that I will re-read for years to come. This is a novel I will recommend to everybody.

Giveaway

Forget Me Not Rafflecopter