Dragons of the Valley winner!

And the winner of Dragons of the Valley by Donita K Paul is:
misskallie2000!

Surrender the Heart by MaryLu Tyndall ~ 5 stars

Surrender the Heart

MaryLu Tyndall

Surrender to Destiny series #1

Barbour Publishing

About the book:

A young mistrustful lady desperate to save her family. . .

A guilt driven man desperate to please his. . .

Both caught in the brink of a war that could change the course of history forever.

On the brink of the War of 1812, Marianne Denton must marry to unlock her inheritance. Without the money, her mother can’t receive medical care and her sister will be destitute. But Noah Brenin needs to sail his cargo to England before the war commences in order to prove his worth to his father and make enough money so he won’t have to marry at all.

When Noah walks out on their engagement party, Marianne chases him down and ends up on his merchantman out at sea. The situation worsens when Noah’s ship encounters a British man-of-war and the couple is impressed into the British navy.

While a young lad’s prophecy of destiny looms over them both, Marianne and Noah are forced to face their darkest fears as they desperately try to find a way to escape and fulfill their destinies—destinies that could change the course of the war and history forever.

My review:
This is another book to add to Tyndall’s ever growing list of fantastic books in the adventure/romance genre. This probably isn’t one of my favorites by MaryLu though, just because it lacked the spiritual warfare aspect to the story that is a unique trait of her writing. But, other than that, I thought that she did a great job with the story, characters, and everything else. If you haven’t read Tyndall’s books before, I suggest you put all her books on your TBR list. And if you are already a devoted fan, I suggest you pick this latest book up and add it to your collection of her great stories!

A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin ~ 5 stars + favorite!

 A Memory Between Us

Sarah Sundin

Wings of Glory series #2

Revell Publishing

About the book:

Can they overcome the past to find a brighter future together?

Major Jack Novak has never failed to meet a challenge--until he meets army nurse Lieutenant Ruth Doherty. When Jack lands in the army hospital after a plane crash, he makes winning Ruth's heart a top-priority mission. But he has his work cut out for him. Not only is Ruth focused on her work in order to support her orphaned siblings back home, she also is determined not to give her heart to any man.

As the danger and tension of World War II rise to a fever pitch, Jack and Ruth will need each other more than ever. Can Jack break down her defenses? Or are they destined to go their separate ways?

From the English countryside to the perilous skies over France, A Memory Between Us takes you on a journey through love, forgiveness, and sacrifice.

My review:
I’m a little unsure as to what I should say about this book. I loved it so much, and there are so many great things about it that I can hardly choose just a few to talk about. But, I’ll start here: both Jack and Ruth are struggling with issues in their lives and their own character, which made them so real to me. One thing I’ve noticed about Sarah’s books is that her characters learn a lesson without the story seeming preachy or boring. She really does an excellent job with that, and the lessons learned by the characters are totally applicable in my life too! Love that.


The story is engaging and has many different parts, without seeming like it doesn’t have a central plot or that it’s pointless. The fast-paced battle scenes will kick up your heart rate and keep you focused on the book and what is coming next. And the romance is so wonderfully written that you are certain to fall in love with this book. I would recommend you read this as soon as you can!

Sunday Funnies!

A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas about God.

God is like... BAYER ASPIRIN

He works miracles.


God is like... a FORD

He's got a better idea.


God is like... COKE

He's the real thing.


God is like... HALLMARK CARDS

He cares enough to send His very best.


God is like... TIDE

He gets the stains out that others leave behind.


God is like... GENERAL ELECTRIC

He brings good things to life.


God is like... SEARS

He has everything.


God is like... ALKA-SELTZER

Try Him, you'll like Him


God is like... SCOTCH TAPE

You can't see Him, but you know He's there.


God is like... DELTA

He's ready when you are.


God is like... ALLSTATE

You're in good hands with Him.


God is like... VO-5 Hair Spray

He holds through all kinds of weather.


God is like... DIAL SOAP

Aren't you glad you have Him? Don't you wish everybody did?


God is like... the U.S. POST OFFICE

Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.


God is like... CHEVROLET

the heart beat of America

God is like... MAXWELL HOUSE

Good to the very last drop

God is like... BOUNTY

He is the quicker picker upper. . can handle the tough jobs. . .and He won't fall apart on you.

And just for you guys, a funny picture:

Donita K Paul ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*You can earn up to 6 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*

Today author Donita K Paul is telling us about her new book, Dragons of the Valley (Sept 2010 -- Dragons of Chiril series #2). She has offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Welcome, Donita! Tell us a little about yourself.

I love children and am passionate about literacy. My ability to function begins to deteriorate if I don’t get a daily fix of being with kids. Fortunately my grandsons are close. My children used to tease me that my preschool Sunday school class was my peer group. I always felt better after Sunday morning, no matter how rough the week had been. I love making up new recipes. There are some posted on my website. I knit for exercise. LOL. And I can be crafty when the notion hits, but I do not do one craft beautifully. It is more like many, adequately. I hate to sew. But I have been known to make costumes. I will be 60 this year and my mind feels like I am still in my 20s. However, my body does not agree.

I began writing as a kid and kept it up as I aged. When my husband and I were cleaning out my parents’ house, we discovered a box full of my childhood writing. I chucked it all. Some of it was truly embarrassing. As an adult, I was too busy doing life and didn’t take much time to write. Then I had a flesh-eating strep in my leg and that retired me from teaching. My mother said, “You always wanted to write. Now’s your chance.” So, I gave it a try. My first book was published when I was 49.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I briefly did clowning for hospitals and church festivals.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
Am finishing Dragons of the Watch, which is the third and final book in the Chiril Chronicles. Next? I have a whole bunch of ideas swirling around in my head. It will be hard to choose just one.

How can readers get in contact with you?
www.donitakpaul.com On this site, there are individual blogs listed under Mrs. Paul.

www.dragonandturtle.com Blogs here, as well, under Parents’ page

And I do twitter, facebook, and shoutlife

Book blurb:

With an invasion of her country imminent, Tipper Schope is drawn into a mission to keep three important statues from falling into the enemy’s clutches. Her friend, the artist Bealomondore, helps her execute the plan, and along the way he learns to brandish a sword rather than a paintbrush.

As odd disappearances and a rash of volatile behavior sweep Chiril, no one is safe. A terrible danger has made his vicious presence known: The Grawl, a hunter unlike any creature encountered before.

To restore their country, Tipper, Bealomondore, and their party must hide the statues in the Valley of the Dragons and find a way to defeat the invading army. When it falls to the artistic Bealomondore to wield his sword as powerfully and naturally as a paintbrush, will he answer Wulder’s call for a champion?

Is there anything you would like to add, or tell your readers?
This is a very exciting time in my career. This fall we have the picture book, The Dragon and the Turtle, which came out in August. I’ve always wanted to write picture books. And the illustrator is phenomenal. http://www.dragonandturtle.com/

Vanishing Sculptor came in second in the Clive Staples Award, and is up for the Carol Award from American Christian Fiction Writers. The award is given this Saturday, September 18th.

Dragons of the Valley comes out Sept. 21st and some have told me it is the best dragon book I’ve written so far. I hope readers think so, as well.

And Two Tickets to a Christmas Ball comes out Oct. 5th, and it was a labor of love. And I have been blessed. The cover is amazing. You can’t tell online but certain parts are highlight with a shiny print and a bit raised. And it is my first hardback book.

Series Info:
The series name is The Chiril Chronicles. Vanishing Sculptor was the first book but they are re-releasing it next spring as Dragons of Chiril. This book is the second, Dragons of the Valley. The third will come out in 2011, and is titled Dragons of the Watch. Bealomondore from the first two books is the main character in number three.

~~~~~

*USA residents only, please*

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Dragons of the Valley!

TO ENTER:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.

*If you leave a comment you will be entered unless you specify that you would not like to be entered.

*Here are the ways to get entries:

(First entry) The mandatory comment saying you would like to be entered with your email address.

+1 Become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.

Read and leave a comment on one or more of my recent book reviews.
+2 A Hope Undaunted
+2 The Healer's Apprentice

**You can earn a total of 6 entries if you do all of the above entry options. Make sure to tell me in your entry comment on this post which of the things you did to get extra entries.**

*The contest will run from today (September 24) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (September 30). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner either directly after choosing him/her or on Friday the 1st, and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner.

Good luck! Thanks for visiting.

Within My Heart winner!

And the winner of Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander is:
misskallie2000 (misskallie2000@)

Driftwood Lane winner!

And the winner of Driftwood Lane by Denise Hunter is:
Trinity Rose (wandaelaine@...)

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson ~ 5 stars

The Healer's Apprentice

Melanie Dickerson

Zondervan

About the book:

Two Hearts. One Hope.

Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter's daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her---a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.

When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.

My review:

The Healer’s Apprentice is such a great read! I honestly don’t think I can say anything bad about it. (Except that the font was too small even for me! LOL) The book itself was fabulous. The characters were realistic, the setting was wonderful, the plot was great… I loved the hints of suspense throughout the book. It really kept me turning those pages. Love, love, love, love, love. That’s really all I can say.

Melanie Dickerson is most assuredly an author that you need to read as soon as possible! I can’t wait to see what she does next!