Sunday, July 10, 2011

Music to Encourage and Inspire on Your Sunday

This video ties in my with my post on Wednesday (the one just a couple posts below). In Christ there are NO goodbyes! We can cling to that promise.

Mercy Me
Homesick

Friday, July 8, 2011

Need a Laugh?? Two of My Favorite Chonda Pierce Moments

I love Chonda Pierce and here are two of her videos (they are short) that I absolutely love and I always laugh so hard!! Enjoy. : - )








Friday's Note:
The winner of Throw the Devil Off the Train by Stephen Bly is...

Michelle Sutton!

She has been contacted and thank you to everyone who stopped by to enter. Your support and enthusiasm gives me the opportunity to bring quality fiction to giveaway!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Tag You're It!

Oh what fun! I've been looking forward to this post ever since Dawn and Cathy. tagged me. It's a fun blog post to do and share (and for those I've tagged, don't feel obligated, it's just something fun!! :-)


Do you think you're hot?


Um...well at the moment I'm quite fine, thank you. There is a lovely little breeze outside keeping the bugs down and the sun is shining and after a loooong winter and wet, wet, wet spring, I'd take a hot day at no complaint. ;-)


Upload a photo of the wallpaper you are using right now.


I love this image. Photos of God's nature can be some of the most inspiring and I love beautiful images, primarily of flowers or landscape, on my wallpaper. :-)


When was the last time you ate chicken?


Just last week. That white meat is one of my FAVORITES! Okay, all meat is pretty much a favorite in my book (my someday-husband is going to have a run for his money when it comes to who can eat more meat) and I "fight" my dad over who gets the thigh. ;-)


What songs or song have you listened to recently?


This one is a little bit harder, because I spend the majority of my listening time on KLOVE and there really isn't one particular song I like to hear over and over. But I do love this new one from Third Day. So, so, so good!! 




Do you have any nicknames? If so what are they?

Yes, I do have several nicknames. My parents, when I was little, called me "Bug", but that name as generally morphed into "Shrimp" --or rather my mom calls me that-- at 5' 1 1/8" (I take it everywhere I can get it), I still fit under her chin (barely!) and when I can't reach something I generally hear the remark. All in love, I'm sure. Right. Mama??

Tag 5 bloggers

Amber Stokes: I got to meet Amber recently!! We'll be sharing more pictures at a later date, but sufice it is to say that this young woman is EVERY bit as wonderful and lovely in person as she is online.

Renee Chaw: I love Renee's blog. She's  blast to know online and I can always count on her to have something uplifting to say. I've greatly enjoyed getting to know Renee!

Joy T. David: Oh my goodness, but I do love Joy!! Her blog has to be ranked in my Top 10 favorite blogs and she makes visiting a pure JOY every single time! I always end up laughing over something. And let me tell you, this woman can write too! We'll be reading her books someday. ;-)

Michelle Tuller: Michelle has a sweet blog that I always enjoy visiting. Spotlight Christian music and books, plus she has been a huge encouragement to me as I blog. Her comments always bring me cheer. :-)

Rel Mollet: I just found Rel's blog, but I have known about it for some time and just thoroughly enjoy myself whenever I visit. She has that creative blend of book reviews, character interviews and awesome cover info! I don't follow many blogs, but I do follow hers.

So now it's their turn! If I've tagged you, have no fear, you don't have to participate, it's just something fun. ;-) And for fun, maybe you could take one of the questions for yourself in the comments!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Learning to Say Good Bye

This week my mom, two younger siblings and myself had to travel over 600 miles to say goodbye.

We planned this trip actually half a month ago when Grandpa was still with us, traveling to see him one last time and tell him we love him, just once more. But we weren't given that chance and now we travel the same distance, this time to say a much more permanent goodbye.

On this earth.

As we drove, my heart was torn. On one hand I am excited to see family again--we were just there ten months or so ago--it's going to be great.

But on the other hand,  while life will go on, this is the end of a relationship with a man that took me and my family into his family and heart. I'm not techinically his granddaughter. He isn't technically my mom's mom. But he is in all the ways that count. He took in a young girl (my mom) when her home life was anything but sane. Both he and my grandmother have been our rock, our true grandparents.

It's hard to say "Grandma and Grandpa" and realize that it's now only "Grandma." 

We're not tied to this earth. We go when God chooses and Grandpa was ready. His body was tired and his heart keen for his Savior's arms.

It's not easy to say goodbye, knowing it will be the last time you utter those words to this person who wrapped their arms around you when you didn't even have an honest-to-goodness family connection. I think the heart is the strongest connection of all.

Saying goodbye is a part of life. It's learning to accept and live with that goodbye that makes it so much harder.

But the joyous news is: we don't have to dwell on "goodbye". Because in Christ there are NO goodbyes. No permanent ones, just the ones here on earth.

So let me love deeply for a few more days and when the moment comes to say goodbye, may it be one filled with HOPE and PROMISE and LOVE.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

"You'll Find Home One Day" ~ The Muir House by Mary DeMuth ~ Review

There is a powerful symbolism in “The Muir House” between Willa’s old home and Willa herself. And as the story progresses, that symbolism only becomes more clear.
Willa is a young woman desperately searching for “her” place in the world. But there are so many secrets locked within her, that it pushes her away from everyone and everything around her. Until she comes to her moment of breaking.

The story is told through her surroundings. There isn’t a lot of dialogue (what is though is excellent), but is mainly a story told through what her memories and surroundings, as she digs to remember what she can’t. Can Willa move past the struggles of her youth that are encroaching on today’s promises?

That is basically the premise of the novel. As she sees everything she holds dear being stripped away, she sees where she has gone wrong for so many years. “The Muir House” is one of those books I think you would have to read several times over just to grasp the full power. There is a great deal of subtext buried in the writing and you can’t wear it out by re-reading.

Once I got into the story and grasped the writing style, it was an enjoyable read, it makes you think, but also presents a story that I couldn’t help but sigh in closing. (it is  a lovely ending!)

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers and the author for providing a copy to influence on behalf of the author.

~~~ More about the novel...~~~

'You'll find home one day. Sure as sweet tea on a hot afternoon.' Words from Willa Muir's sketchy childhood haunt her dreams and color her days with longing, regret, and fear. What do the words mean? Willa is far from sure. When Hale Landon places a ring on her finger, Willa panics, feeling she can't possibly say yes when so much in her past is a mystery. Bent on sorting out her history, Willa returns to Rockwall, Texas, to the Muir House Bed and Breakfast, a former funeral home. But the old place holds her empty memory close to itself. Willa's mother utters unintelligible clues from her deathbed, and the caretaker of the house keeps coveted answers carefully protected. Throw in an old flame, and Willa careens farther away from ever knowing the truth. Set in a growing suburb of Texas, The Muir House explores trauma, healing, love new and old, and the life-changing choices people make to keep their reputations intact.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Giveaway and Author Interview: Hearts in Flight

Welcome to Writing for Christ Patty Smith Hall, it is great to have you here! Do you have an interesting fact about yourself the average reader probably doesn’t know?

I’m a history geek! Ever since I was knee high to a peanut, I’ve been reading history books and autobiographies—I even talked my parents into going Washington DC when I was eight so that I could go to Arlington National Cemetery and visit President Kennedy’s grave. Like I said, history geek!

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

Well, I read all genres but the majority of my personal library is made up of historical fiction. But I write both contemporary and historical.
Do you have a nugget of writing advice that has completely changed how you view writing? 
Set a daily word count and stick to it! My daily count is between 1000 and 1500 words a day. 
What do you enjoy most about being a published author? 
I’m loving the whole experience! From seeing my cover to the first time to working with my fantastic editor, Rachel Burkot who helped make my book into something so much better to holding a copy in my hand, it’s all been great. I’m just hearing from readers and that’s been so much fun and so humbling. The whole process has been a blessing! 
Places for readers to learn more about you?
I love for folks to visit my website at www.pattysmithhall.com 
Thank you for being with us today! Thanks for having me
I appreciate the opportunity.
Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Patty's debut release!

Please leave an email adddress! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.
For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.


Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on July 15th.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Our Next Cold Call Author!!! (and a blog award and winner...)

Our Next Cold Call Author Is...

I am gone right now for my grandfather's memorial service, so I am extending the deadline for when you need to get your questions in.

PLEASE have them ready and sent to me either by email, Facebook, or here by Friday JULY 8TH!! I can only take EIGHT questions and please keep them short and to the point as this is a "cold call". :-)

Anything goes and the fun ones always bring smiles!


A Blog Award!

Many "sweet" thanks to Amber of Seasons of Humility for this kind blog award!


My understanding is that I am supposed to give a few random facts about myself...okay...

~I am currently listening to KLOVE and do almost all my writing to the online station.

~I love random questions, sunshine, green grass, laughter and hugs

~I still count down to my birthday and plan to enjoy that luxary as long as time allows the excuse (14 days to go... ;-)

~I have decided to join in the ebook revolution and save for a Kindle (and no I am not dropping hints ;-)

~I think Nick Cannon (host of American's Got Talent) is insanely funny.


And the blogs I'm passing this award to...


Thanks Amber!!


And the winner is...

Of Lisa Harris's (winner's choice) of either An Ocean Away or Blood Covenant is...

HedgerHousehold!!

She has been emailed! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and enter, everyone!

Have a fantastic weekend and I hope to catch up with you later next week!!

Don't forget your Cold Call Questions for DiAnn!

FTC Rules

According to new FTC rules I must let you, the reader know, that all views shared on this blog are strictly my own. Books to review are either provided for me by the author, publisher or ones I have purchased and I am under no obligation whatsoever to present anything, but my true opinion on any product. I receive no monetary compensation for anything written on this blog. Any giveaways on this blog are provided by the author/ publisher and I am not responsible for any views they express in their work or on this site. Giveaways are void were prohibited and chances of winnng are based on the number of applicants. A random winner is draw when a book is given away.

 
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