Blogging From A to Z April (2016) Challenge

For the first time in a while I am not participating in the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge. As I was checking my stats for this blog, one of my  most recent popular posts was from when I participated in this challenge in 2013.

It's a shame sign ups are closed for this year because I would have joined up....even though I would be hard-pressed to commit to it. To be successful, you need to have time to comment as well as post. Time is something that is in short supply right now. I'll just be a cheerleader this year.

Are you participating in the Blogging From A to Z April (2016) Challenge? If yes, what is your topic? 

Book Review & Giveaway: Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

What could be better than a new book by Charlotte Hubbard? How about a new book that is also the first in a new series by Charlotte Hubbard.

Mattie and her two sisters, Christine and Rosetta, have left Coldstream to start a new community they call Promise Lodge. Mattie's son Noah. who is nursing a broken heart, joins them and a few other men from Coldstream to help make Promise Lodge a reality.

After the way Deborah broke off their engagement, she was the last person Noah expected to show up at Promise Lodge. But she arrives after being cast out of Coldstream by her dat for reasons she's not ready to share. Noah isn't yet ready to accept Deborah's apology, even if the Old Order ways demand he try. He's going to need help from his mother, aunts, and their preacher to make it happen.

Promise Lodge is Hubbard's latest and, boy, do you have to read it. There's so much going on in this one. You have the rehabbing of Promise Lodge; the arrival of Deborah under mysterious circumstances; Deborah seeking forgiveness from Noah and his struggle to accept her apology; and the ties that still bind everyone to Coldstream that interfere with their plans.

Hubbard is a masterful storyteller, developing her characters in such a way that they become just as real as if they were sitting across the kitchen table from you. Her stories are inspiring and filled with love, faith and, in this case, forgiveness. You'll find some great recipes at the back of the book too.

If you enjoy Amish fiction, if you enjoy inspirational romance, if you like to read a book that touches your heart, then pick up a copy of Promise Lodge.

Promise Lodge, Book 1
Zebra (February 26, 2016)
ISBN-13: 9781420139419 •• ISBN-10: 142013941X

Click on these links to buy this book now!

Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=142013941X/
Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/promise-lodge-charlotte-hubbard/1121998591
The Book Depository http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781420139419
B-A-M http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9781420139419
Chapters http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/a/9781420139419-item.html
IndieBound http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781420139419
Powell’s http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=9781420139419
Kensington Books http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/32120

Ebook:

Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Promise-Lodge-Charlotte-Hubbard-ebook/dp/B00Y6RB2PA/
Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/promise-lodge-charlotte-hubbard/1121998591?
iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/promise-lodge/id1013564715?mt=11
Google Play https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Charlotte_Hubbard_Promise_Lodge?id=mZOmCQAAQBAJ
Kensington http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/32119
Kobohttps://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/promise-lodge

Charlotte will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host.

a Rafflecopter giveaway





I received a free advanced copy of this book which I accidentally dropped in the tub while reading one night from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Blast: Though I Don't Deserve It, God's Hand of Protection Watches Over Me: My Story by Arthur Luke (Giveaway)

Title: Though I Don't Deserve It, God's Hand of Protection Watches Over Me 

Author: Arthur Luke 

Publisher: iUniverse 

Genre: Biography 

Format: Ebook/Paperback
Purchase at: iUniverse

Though I Don't Deserve It, God's Hand of Protection Watches Over Me: My Story spans sixty-four years in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ, telling how God has watched over him and his family.

Arthur Luke begins with his childhood in Georgia, follows the sojourns of his military family, narrates the key events in his adult life, tells about his stroke, and shares the decision he and his wife, seniors at the time, made to adopt a child. He pairs twenty-four powerful scriptures with the key events in his life's journey. This potent mixture of personal history and biblical witness demonstrates an enduring truth. With faith in God and obedience to him in your life, his favor—his hand of protection—will guide you and lead you to offer him praise in all seasons, no matter what happens.

Though I Don't Deserve It, God's Hand of Protection Watches Over Me: My Story promises to inspire and encourage readers by showing how God works, in accordance with his promises in the scriptures, to guard and guide all who believe in him. This is the story of Arthur Luke's life, but its message applies to all who believe.

Arthur Luke, a retired preacher of the gospel, holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and an MBA in financial management from National University in Sacramento. He and Sharon, his wife, have five children and live in Elk Grove, California.

Giveaway

Arthur is giving away a $25 Gift Card!

Terms and Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Gift Certificate to the e-retailer of your choice
• This giveaway begins March 28 and ends on April 8.
• Winners will be contacted via email on April 9.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

March 28

The Hype and the Hoopla

Write and Take Flight

March 29

Teatime and Books

Harmonious Publicity

March 30

My Bookish Pleasures

Fiction to Fruition

March 31

Cheryl's Christian Book Connection

Confessions of an Eccentric Bookaholic

April 1

Author C.A. Milson

Books, Books the Magical Fruit

April 4

Mary's Cup of Tea

Deal Sharing Aunt

April 5

From Paperback to Leatherbound

The Literary Nook

April 6

Voodoo Princess

The Revolving Bookshelf

April 7

The Book Refuge

The Book Czar

April 8

Lover of Literature

Bent Over Bookwords

Christian Parenting Resource: Lead Your Family Like Jesus by Ken Blanchard, Phil Hodges & Tricia Goyer

Does your family need a five-star general at the helm? A psychologist? A referee? Ken Blanchard, best-selling co-author of The One Minute Manager and Lead Like Jesus, points to a better role model: the Son of God. Joined by veteran parents and authors Phil Hodges and Tricia Goyer, renowned business mentor Blanchard shows how every family member benefits when parents take the reins as servant-leaders. Moms and dads will see themselves in a whole new light―as life-changers who get their example, strength, and joy from following Jesus at home. This user-friendly book’s practical principles and personal stories mark the path to a truly Christ-centered family, where integrity, love, grace, self-sacrifice, and forgiveness make all the difference.

Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Focus on the Family (March 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1589977203
ISBN-13: 978-1589977204


Purchase here!

Results of the 21 Day Fix

My 21 Day Fix ended yesterday. I'm sure you'll all dying to learn the results. What? Only me?

Here's the scoop: I lost 7 pounds and even lost 1 inch. Since the first week of January, I have been eating better and exercising, so that has led me to lose a total of 14 pounds and 2 inches. Not bad.

My biggest challenge: making time to exercise.

The easiest part of the whole thing: getting more sleep. Between working, family life, and exercising I was pretty tired by the end of the day so I slept more and slept better.

What did I do right: Used my containers every morning to start my day off right.

Where did I flounder: Still can't seem to give up my one Pepsi a day and only once made time to exercise in the evening if I didn't get a chance to work out in the morning.

Am I happy? You bet. I am definitely on the road to where I want to be. Now that I have my DVDs and my containers--which really do help you think about what you're eating--I can keep on moving forward. Having met my weight loss goal of 110 pounds, I am going to focus on toning up.

Thanks to all those who have supported me along the way. I couldn't do it without you!

Visualize the Effects of Lupus on the Body Infographic

Free for Kindle: Welcome to Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong

The red warning light on her car dashboard may have driven Lainie Davis to seek help in the tiny town of Last Chance, New Mexico, but as she meets the people who make this one-horse town their home, it's her heart that is flashing bright red warning lights. These people are entirely too nice, too accommodating, and too interested in her personal life--especially since she's on the run and hoping to slip away unnoticed.

Yet in spite of herself, Lainie is increasingly drawn into the small-town dramas and to a handsome local guy with a secret of his own. Could Lainie actually make a life in this little town? Or will the past catch up to her even here in the middle of nowhere?

File Size: 2924 KB
Print Length: 290 pages
Publisher: Revell (August 1, 2013)
Publication Date: August 1, 2013
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00B85M54A

Purchase here!