Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Willow Pond by Carol Tibaldi Giveaway Winner!



Congratulations goes out to Jenn, winner of a copy of Willow Pond by Carol Tibaldi. The winner has been notified and has 72 hours to respond before we select a new winner.

Thanks to everyone who participated. Don't forget to check out our giveaways page to see what else we have to offer.

Wordless Wednesday


Monday, September 17, 2012

You've Got Mail Monday



Lately I feel like I can't keep up with anything--even mail. Luckily, last week was not an overwhelming mail week.

I received a kid's catalog from Land's End and a seasonal catalog from Oriental Trading. The latter one reminded me that I need to order my Christmas cards soon. Do you still send Christmas cards? Do you order them online or buy them in a store? Do you include personalized notes?

Since I send out so many cards, and because some of them go overseas, I usually order them with my family's name on them inside. I also have been known to order matching envelopes with our return address on them. One thing I do, though, is write a short Christmas letter to let everyone know how we are doing.


The only other item of mention is the latest book by Naomi King, Rosemary Opens Her Heart. This is the second book in her Home at Cedar Creek series. I was disappointed to receive an ARC with a plain cover instead of the finished cover art, but I really wanted to read this book after enjoying the first one of the series.

It's already a crazy week around here, so hopefully I can keep up with everything. I'm preparing for two writers conferences next month. I'm going to pitch a project to an agent and see what happens.

Hope you have a great week.


Novella Spotlight: Lezlie's Lifeline by LoRee Peery

Lezlie Diamond and Jordan Marshall meet again after a disgruntled husband accuses Lezlie of allowing his wife to die. A night security officer at the hospital, Jordan sees Lezlie home safely. Her nervousness tells him she’s holding something back. Jordan was devastated when Lezlie disappeared from his life sixteen years ago. Now she’s back and he discovers her secret: the birth of their son. How can he ever trust her again? The two loves of Lezlie’s life unite. The teen immediately forgives his mother for her secrets and wants to know his father, but dare Jordan follow their son’s example and grant Lezlie a second chance?
Read the reviews!


Donna Basinow -- 5 Stars

Great story. I love the characters! Jordan is a wonderful man who leans on God in ways we all hope to in real life. And Lezlie, full of human weakness, has learned to allow God to do the leading in her life - even when the way is unexpected and a bit frightening. Although the story is short, I really enjoyed it. Nice job!

 

Clare Revell

In a Frivolities novella, we catch up with Lezlie, Sage's daughter. The book, by very nature of being a dollar download is a quick read at just 34 pages. However, those 34 pages are packed with action, drama and romance in a way that pulls you in and just doesn't let you up for air. It's got the awww moments and the heart stopping moments, not to mention the 'the author did what???' moments. We meet new characters as well as the old friends from the previous books. This one has gone straight back into my TBR pile.

If you love LoRee Peery's books, don't miss this one.

 
A lifelong Nebraskan, LoRee Peery is the oldest of seven and grew up on a Nebraska farm. Thanks to her mother, she learned to read when she was four and has devoured books since.
 
LoRee and her husband have tackled some interesting projects over the course of their married life. For one, they built the home they live in with their own hands. They used to want more acres further away from city life, but one day LoRee realized they had their “greener on the other side of the fence” already. All it took was removing the hedge made of trees and bushes.
 
She feels grounded in her sense of place and considers it a blessing to have lived most of her life in the country. Her Frivolities series is available from White Rose Publishing at www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/
 
Visit LoRee at www.loreepeery.com
 

Book Spotlight: Found in the Woods by LoRee Peery


Beth Phillips returns to Platteville, Nebraska in order to begin a new life and to hide from her abusive ex-husband. The secluded cabin offers a chance to stay hidden and to draw closer to God, but Beth quickly discovers she is not alone in the woods. She befriends a curious, displaced wolf, but instead of fearing the animal Beth finds comfort in his company.

When field biologist, Aiden Holt, follows up on reported wolf sightings, he finds the animal and Beth Phillips. With emotional baggage of his own, Aiden usually prefers animals to people, but Beth's passion to keep the wolf draws Aiden in. Experience tells him the wolf needs relocation. His heart tells him he needs Beth Phillips. He camps nearby to capture the wolf, but can he capture Beth's heart, too?

Two souls, each lost in their own way, are brought together by one of God's beautiful creations. Will the Lord's path to their destiny be found in the woods?

Read the reviews!


Donna Basinow -- Rating: 5 stars

Beth is so sweet, and the spiritual growth you see in her at every turn is a joy to behold. And the wolf...I love him! I can just imagine staring into his eyes the way she does. Their little dance made me laugh (you'll have to read it yourself). And Aiden is such a tender soul. You can hear the longing, feel his need for God with every thought and every word. And his protectiveness over Beth is heartwarming. What a wonderful story – the best one of the series yet!

 

Mary Manners -- Rating: 5 stars

Found in the Woods is a masterful story filled with hope, faith, and healing. Beth and Aiden are on a journey to find healing from past hurts and their place in life. Lakota, the wolf they befriend, is a strong symbol of all they struggle with. Beth's strong faith guides her through difficult times as her abusive ex-husband is in pursuit and she tries to overcome a feeling of unworthiness. Secondary characters have depth and bring much to the storyline. I loved to watch Aiden come into faith due to Beth's strong example. There is much to love about this story and the entire Frivolities series!
 

A lifelong Nebraskan, LoRee Peery is the oldest of seven and grew up on a Nebraska farm. Thanks to her mother, she learned to read when she was four and has devoured books since.

LoRee and her husband have tackled some interesting projects over the course of their married life. For one, they built the home they live in with their own hands. They used to want more acres further away from city life, but one day LoRee realized they had their “greener on the other side of the fence” already. All it took was removing the hedge made of trees and bushes.

She feels grounded in her sense of place and considers it a blessing to have lived most of her life in the country. Her Frivolities series is available from White Rose Publishing at www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Save on Pool Closing Kits/Winterizing Kits



The leaves have begun to fall in Western Massachusetts, and the temperatures are finally comfortable enough in the evenings that air conditioning is no longer required most nights. Family and neighbors are getting prepared to close their pools for the season.

While it's always sad to see the summer end, knowing you can save on Pool Closing/Winterizing Kits helps ease the pain a bit. Protecting your pool for the winter makes it easier to reopen it in the spring. Visit PoolGear Plus® today to check out their selection of Pool Closing/Winterizing Kits for 10,000, 20,000 and 40,000 gallon pools. Each kit includes:


  • Suncoast® Oxidizing Shock & Swim: This full-strength non-chlorine oxidizing pool shock eliminates organic contaminants without affecting pH or chlorine levels.
  • Suncoast® Winter Stain & Scale Control: Helps to prevent rust, scale, and corrosion while your pool is closed.
  • Suncoast® Winter Algarid: Helps prevent algae growth when your pool is closed. This special formula works even in harsh winters (perfect for us New Englanders).
Act now, and you'll receive FREE Suncoast Oxidizing Shock and Swim with each Pool Closing Kit!

Buy a 10,00 Gallon Winterizing Kit and receive 1 free additional 1-lb. bag Oxidizing Shock & Swim.

Buy a 20,000 Gallon Winterizing Kit and receive 2 free additional 1-lb. bags Oxidizing Shock & Swim.

Buy a 40,000 Gallon Winterizing Kit and receive 3 free additional 1-lb. bags Oxidizing Shock & Swim.

Visit PoolGear Plus today and take advantage of the great savings!

This post sponsored by PoolGearPlus.

Saturday, September 15, 2012