THE VALENTNE'S DAY BOOKS WITH LOVE BLOG HOP (2/14-2/16) USA & CANADA

 CLOSED -WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON

___________________________________________________________

Welcome to Books R Us and the Valentine's Day Blog Hop. 

There are so many blogs participating in the Valentine's Day Blog Hop. You will find some nice book related items being given away. There is a linky at the end of this post.  After you've entered here, hop on over to the next blog on the list and keep going as long as you'd like!  The more you enter, the more likely you are to win.  Good luck! 

I am giving away some lovely items perfect for Valentine's Day.

1. A lovely tote bag by Johnathan Adler.
2. Peace Book ends- To organize all of the books that you have.
3. Love in 90 days by Diana Kirschner. Check out my review of the book.
4. Cat Playing Cupid a novel by S. Murphy.
5. The Power of the Middle Ground by M. Babits.

Main Entry:

 1. Follow my Blog publicly on Google Friend Connect. (Mandatory)

Bonus Entries: 

1. Follow me on Twitter
2. Like Books R Us on Facebook
3. Follow Books R Us on Networked Blogs.
4. Subscribe to my blog via email. (Email must be verified for entry to count.) 

All you have to do is Fill out the form below. The winner will be chosen by Random.org by 2/19/11

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway ends 2/16/2011 at 11:59 PM Eastern.

GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU!

CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER PARTICIPATING BLOGS

BLOG TOUR OF THE BOOK THE LIFE READY WOMAN (CONTEST)

 The The Life Ready Woman: Thriving in a Do-It-All World by S. Feldhahn and Robert Lewis is a fresh perspective on life and it's problems. This is what the publisher has to say. 

Whether a stay-at-home mom or an airplane-hopping executive, a student or a senior adult, most women need a contemporary, encouraging vision for what it means to be a godly, biblically guided female in the twenty-first century. A biblical woman takes God’s Word seriously not just at church but also in the everyday walk of life.
But can a significant and satisfying twenty-first-century womanhood really be defined from Scripture? One that can apply to all women and yet not be guilty of cookie-cutter sameness, pressing everyone into a common mold? One that will stay fresh even as a woman grows older? One that can guide her to the best in life? The answer is yes, and the result is a femininity without excesses and regrets that mark those who just go with the flow of the world.
In The Life Ready Woman, best-selling author Shaunti Feldhahn helps readers take five faith steps drawn from the Bible that will help to define the best life possible. Each one is easy to understand, but requires bold faith to activate. The reward is being ready for the deeper life that God has planned.

About the Authors-

Shaunti Feldhahn is a former Wall Street analyst, best-selling author of the book For Women Only, national speaker, and regular commentator in the media. She has been featured on The Today Show, PBS, TNT and Fox News- to name a few. You can learn more about her many activities by visiting her website Shaunti.com or get some great mom advice from her at MomLifeToday.com. She and her husband live with their two young children in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoy every minute of living at warp speed.
 

Robert Lewis is the best-selling author of Raising a Modern-Day Knight and Rocking the Roles: Building a Win-Win Marriage. He and his wife, Sherard, have four children and live in Little Rock, AR.

My Thoughts-

I enjoyed the book. I was taught by my parents to go out into the world and be independent. My family was not very religious and after reading the book, I realized that the women of the past were similar to the women of today.

In the book, the authors discuss many topics including-

1. I am Woman- What does the Bible say about equality and the roles women play today.
2. A Satisfied Life- Do we have a life that is rewarded with satisfaction and gratitude? The bible can help us work through the issues that we may have.
3. What the Issues actually are- Some of the issues discussed are femininity,Motherhood, the do it all role, and a life full of unlimited choices that can make a women's life difficult.
4. A Biblical Definition of Womanhood, Marriage and Family- The Bible lays out certain patterns that God wishes us to follow.
5. Where it Comes Together- God gives three major callings to the Human Race. How does this effect the way we live and interact with others.

 There are many more interesting topics discussed in the book.I have a career, a great husband and two wonderful teenagers but the book helped me to open my eyes a little more about life. As I read the book, I realized that you can not have everything you want in life. We have to compromise a little to live a full and spiritual life. There were questions posed throughout the book to make you think about what you are doing with your life and there were simple answers that were easy to follow and made sense. I have read many faith based books that I found hard to read but this book was just great, informative and a quick read. It was not boring. Even if you are not a spiritual person, you will benefit from the information contained in it. There is even a Life Ready Woman Training kit (DVD) that helps explain the book and empower you.

Blog Tour Schedule

In celebration of Shaunti Feldhahn’s Life Ready Woman, MomLife Today is giving away 2 Weekend To Remember Gift Packs and much more!

Not only, is MomLife Today helping promote Life Ready Woman, but they are thrilled to announce that Shaunti will be joining MomLife Today as a regular contributor!!!

Weekend To Remember Get-Aways offer marriage-changing principles that you can take home and apply to your daily lives to strengthen your marriage. Whether you are newly engaged or have been married for 50 years, you will find value in the tools provided at the getaway.

Don’t miss this opportunity to receive a conference registration for you and your spouse … and more! MomLife Today will be randomly selecting NINE lucky recipients to receive one of these great gifts:

1. 2 Weekend To Remember Get Away conference registrations for two. $259 value each pair (Two couples will receive this.)
2. 2 Life Ready Woman DVD packs. $149 value each (Two different people will receive this gift.)
3. 5 The Life Ready Woman books. (Book will go to 5 people.)

To enter click one of the icons below then tell your friends. Winner will be announced on March 2nd on the MomLife Today website.

MomLife Today provides encouragement, advice and resources to help YOU with your daily Momlife! Because…every MOMent counts!

For more information please visit the Litfuse website, www.litfusegroup.com .

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

REVIEW OF THE BOOK OF TOMORROW BY C. AHERN

In the Book of Tomorrow, Tamara Goodwin lived a life of luxury and got everything she wanted but when her father suddenly dies her life falls apart. She and her mother are left with a pile of debt and has to live with her aunt and uncle. When a traveling library comes to town, Tamara finds a leather bound book with a gold clasp and a padlock. There is no author or title and when she finally gets it open, she is surprised at what she saw. There are entries written in her own handwriting but dated for the next day. In her quest to find answers, Tamara soon learns that some pages are better left unturned and that, try as she may, she mustn't interfere with fate.




My Thoughts-

I liked the book but it was not easy to read. There were a lot of characters that I had to keep track of and each one was developed fully. The book was full of mystery, humor, relationships, detailed scenery and a little craziness. Tamara was a spoiled brat and there were times that I disliked her. As the plot developed, Tamara started to mature, grow and she uses the magical book to make sense of her life and her new home. I recommend this book to everyone who wants to escape from reality for a while.







Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

REVIEW OF CARING LESSONS BY L. ROELOFS

Imagine not wanting to be a nurse, teacher, or teacher of psychiatric nursing only to find yourself doing all three—and loving it!

In Caring Lessons, Lois Roelofs tells her stories about being a rebellious minister’s daughter, reluctant nurse, restless mom, perpetual student, and eventually, fun-loving teacher. She used to tell her students that if she, an ordinary suburban sandbox mom, propelled by restlessness and prayer, could end up having a career, growing in faith, and getting a PhD, they could too.


Roelofs brings the "therapeutic use of self" required in nursing to her writing. You will be amused, saddened, and inspired as you read this intimate and introspective memoir. You may even run to enroll or teach in a nursing program, and, if you’re already teaching nursing students, you may discover renewed gratitude for the privilege.



My Thoughts-

Caring Lessons is a wonderful and touching memoir. When I started nursing school at 16, I never fathomed how tough nursing can be and many times I wanted to quit . The author welcomed us into her life and showed us that faith and perseverance can get us through any problem. The book was well written and I could feel her emotions. Even if you do not have a medical background the book is for you and will give you an insight into the wonderful world of Nursing. I recommend this book to all nursing students because you will learn from the author's wisdom and instill them into your practice. I have been an RN for over 25 years now and I find the profession challenging but I will never give it up. I will definitely pass the book on to my colleagues and maybe they will look at Nursing differently after reading the book. 

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from Bring It On Communications for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

REVIEW OF BENEATH THE SILVER LINING TRILOGY:SECRETS OF THE BLACK BOX BY A. WOLFE

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Join Amanda Wolfe, author of the auto-biographical novel, Beneath the Silver Lining Trilogy (Xlibris Corporation), as she virtually tours the blogosphere on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!


About the Book-

n the outside, her family appeared to be one big, happy family. Their house, with her parents, three sisters, and two brothers, was the epitome of a simple yet fulfilling life lived in a small town. But as the author would soon discover, her childhood was in fact a nightmarish phase of her life she would always be running from. Growing up as a carefree girl, Wolfe struggled to comprehend why she was reared in a family where children are deprived of their right to know the truth, adults are always right, and smoothing out a misunderstanding is never an option. At the young age of nine, she started experiencing cruelty at the hands of her father, who not only abused her emotionally, but physically and sexually as well. Her mother, whose love she sought, was a stern woman who refused to see her husband’s mistakes. As if her deeply troubled relationship with her parents was not enough, Wolfe also had to deal with inner secrets involving creepy characters from the afterlife. Feeling tormented, confused, solitary, and even filthy, this naïve girl had yet to be transformed into a strong-willed woman who would become cynical about love and learn to depend on no one but herself while facing more of life’s bitterness.
The first of a series of three, Beneath the Silver Lining Trilogy: Secrets of the Black Box chronicles the author’s journey along a perplexing road of growing up. It was originally written as a therapeutic way to heal her inner wounds and to let go of the pain and anger. However, it is now shared to bring inspiration to readers -especially women.

Author's Website

My Thoughts-

 I found the book difficult to read due to some grammatical errors and the chapters were very long but I continued to read on. The author had to live with a very dysfunctional family and I kept saying to myself  "Why did her mother let this happen to her child?" I always get upset when there is any abuse especially to a child. There were times that I had to stop reading because it made me sad as well as angry. She had to live with pain, suffering, sexual, physical and emotional abuse that spanned for many years. I give the author credit for being able to relive the horror while writing the autobiography. The book was full of graphic scenes and should only be read by an adult. I hope that the next books in the trilogy her parents are brought to justice for all the suffering that they put Amanda through.








Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from the author and I was not compensated for my review.

REVIEW OF HUMAN BLEND BY L. PESCATORE

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Human Blend, Laney is not like other girls... she has special abilities that sets her apart from others. She escaped from a difficult life and she wants to keep hidden. She was held captive because of these special abilities. She is haunted by memories and flashbacks of the suffering that she had to endure. She decides to change her appearance and her name to Julie. She decides hideout in a small town.
Ignoring her own warnings, she begins a relationship with a local boy. The relationship turns dangerous when the boy begins developing similar abilities. This development does not fall under the radar of the men who are trying to recapture her. A young doctor's interest is piqued when he witnesses her mysteriously curing a young child's illness. He befriends her due to his growing fascination with uncovering the true nature of her abilities, but not without harboring secrets of his own. Laney's new life falls apart when she meets a young intern that seems to have all the answers to her questions. The information sends her into a tail spin. Thoughts of going on the run once again are thwarted as those whom she was running from find her.

About the Author-

Lori Pescatore is currently teaching preschool in Bucks County, PA. She is a married mom of two boys and has been actively writing her whole life. Human Blend is her first in a trilogy of books in this series. Multiple Sclerosis became part of her life seven years ago, a battle she continues today. Visit her Facebook page.




My Thoughts-

This is a fantastic paranormal story. I was drawn into the storyline from page one. All of the characters were exciting and well developed. When I found out Julie's special ability, I wanted to find out more. The book was fast paced, with twists and turns throughout the book. All of the male characters were intriguing and each of them had their own special ability that was discovered throughout the book. The information about the Human Blends were very interesting and each one had different abilities. I have never read any book like this one and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.





Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of the book for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

GUEST POST BY A.WOLFE AUTHOR OF BENEATH THE SILVER LINING

 Why I Wrote Beneath The Silver Lining Trilogy.

by Amanda Wolfe

In the beginning, the whole purpose of this book, well, journal really, was to allow me to come face to face with and rid myself of what I had stored up in my black box. It is what I call the place in the pit of your stomach where you hide all your secrets; good, bad or ugly. My box was filled with ugly: quilt, embarrassment and a lot of shame and confusion. In short, it was just to painful to face head on.


It all started when my husband and I were having one of our "OK, it’s time to bare your soul” conversations. He is the only one person who could ever make me do that, because I knew he would never use what I say against me in any way. He has always given me the space to get angry, cry, rant and rave like a lunatic when I needed to. Believe me, it has happened more than once!


It took a lot of years of his patience and understanding to get me this far, allowing me to face and rid myself of all these bad feelings I carried around with me always. They made me hard on the outside. He called it my wall and little by little it has crumbled. I’m not saying I don’t feel things from my past anymore, I do, but now they don’t paralyze me. I still have trust issue from time to time! but they no longer rule my life.


During this conversation I laughed and said I should write a book about all of this, but who the heck would believe it? He told me he thought that is exactly what I should do. I should start writing it all down, because writing was a great way to release feelings that you have difficulty talking about. We both agreed it would be a great outlet.


So I began writing it all down and, once started , I had a difficult time stopping. The emotions started pouring out of me. Sometimes I would come out of my office so angry I could spit.The memories that came flooding back were unbelievable. The sky in my world was not as rosy as I had made it out to be. My siblings’ annoyance with me remembering my past through rose- colored glasses was finally realized and understood.


My husband was right there for all of it, lending his understanding and support.I don’t think I could have done this without him. I’m very grateful to him for being there in all the craziness I went through.


After reading some of what I had written, he told me I should make it into a book, because it could really help other girls and women to know that they can go through bad things and still come out on top. I decided that if I was going to make it into a book that I wanted to bring the reader right along with me on the journey that I was going through in my emptying out process. I wanted them to come out the other side with me feeling a little inspired and wanting more. More importantly, I wanted them to know that if they themselves have been or are being abused that they are not alone.


There are options out there for everyone, even though you may think there are none for you. Trust me, I’ve been there. There are many, many forums out there with people who are willing and want to help you get the help you need. Even if it is just an anonymous voice at the other end of the phone.


A friendly voice can go a long way.


Stop back tomorrow for my review of the book. 

 

BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW OF THE CLOUDS ROLL AWAY BY S. GIORELLO (CONTEST)

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In The Clouds Roll Away, forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon returns home for Christmas but discovers Richmond, Virginia running low on goodness and light.

Although her exemplary service in Seattle lifted her disciplinary transfer, Raleigh lands a hometown civil rights case riddled with problems that could get her sent away again. When she helps out a fellow cop, her life goes on the line, forcing her undercover in a sting operation. As Raleigh realizes the lines are crossing and double-crossing, her domestic life starts to unravel. Her mother's mental health cracks like ice, her closest friend grows cold, and her old boyfriend DeMott comes a-calling, hoping for more than chestnuts by an open fire.

While the city glows with Christmas lights and carols, Raleigh is forced to rely on her sharpest skills to stay alive, hoping for that one clear moment when everything makes sense and the clouds roll away.

Meet Sibella:

Sibella Giorello grew up in Alaska and majored in geology at Mount Holyoke College. After riding a motorcycle across the country, she worked as a features writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her stories have won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. She now lives in Washington state with her husband and sons. Find out more about Sibella and her other books at her website. www.sibellagiorello.com

Click here to see the other stops on this virtual book tour!

You can purchase your copy here.

My Thoughts- 

The book was written well and I was hooked from the first page. This is the third book in the series and I had no difficulty reading it. As I was reading it, I noticed that Sibella included information from the other two books to keep you up to date. I really liked Raleigh because she was believable and had a good relationship with her mother, Nadine. The storyline included mystery, a little romance, and plenty of twists and turns to keep it exciting. All of the characters were developed well and there was a lot of emotion throughout the book. So go and get yourself a copy of the book. You will not be disappointed.

Win a KINDLE from Sibella Giorello!

 Sibella’s celebrating the release of The Clouds Roll Away by giving away a KINDLE prize pack worth over $150.00!

One Grand Prize winner will receive:

• Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi
• $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com

To enter simply click on one of the icons below! Then tell your friends! Winner will be announced January 3, 2011 on Sibella's blog: http://sibellagiorello.blogspot.com/. 

About The Clouds Roll Away – “Beautifully written with exquisite descriptions, Giorello’s mystery also features well-developed characters…”
—Booklist, starred review

Find out more here!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from the Lifuse Group for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

THE 12 PEARLS OF CHRISTMAS- LOVE (GIVEAWAY)

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year. AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS!  Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

~~~

Love
by Lauraine Snelling

When asked to write a Christmas message, one of my first thoughts was Do I climb up on my soapbox regarding changing the words in Christmas songs, using only holiday, etc. I thought about it and decided no. After all, they’re only words and what difference does a word make---really make after all?

Then I kept on thinking. If they’re only words… But we as writers know the power of words, as do readers. When the wrong word is used, it jars, while the right word can be most powerful. Take one highly overused and under practiced word---Love. Four letters is all. We toss it around so glibly, saying love ya and luv and love. But think about the power in I love you. Three of the most precious words in our language when put together. Those of us who write romances or books with romance in them, understand the power when one of our characters tells another, I love you. As humans we can never hear that enough or too much.

Christmas is about love. The greatest love story ever told, that of God for us humans, and it never changes. Customs change, politics change, the years change but God’s love never, ever does. At Christmas we are invited to share that love, to give it away, to pass it around. To find wonder again and joy in simple acts of love. We make contact with people we might never see or talk with through the year. That says I love you. We buy and make gifts to give, we reach out to strangers in need, we try to make sure everyone has a special dinner and every child a present. By giving, we receive.

So, let’s use the power words, but more so, put feet on those words and pass the love around. Let’s look for and find the wonder, the joy and the peace, maybe in small bits and pieces and perhaps in an avalanche of blessings. Make your days brighter with the simple gift of a smile, a kind word, a touch, for every single one that you give away, will come back to you multiplied. As you give, so shall you receive. Merry Christmas my friends. May we all recognize our blessings----and let an attitude of gratitude permeate this holiday and every day. With love and joy on this day, Lauraine!

 ~~~

About Lauraine: Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of more than sixty books, with sales of over 2 million copies. She also writes for a wide range of magazines, and helps others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the country. Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons, and live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a cockatiel named Bidley, and a watchdog Basset named Chewy.

For more information please visit Lauraine's website: www.laurainesnelling.com.

~~~

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. One entry per person, per day. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info




Disclaimer- I was not compensated for this post.

THE 12 PEARLS OF CHRISTMAS- GOOD NEWS (GIVEAWAY)

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year. AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS!  Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

~~~

Good News!
by Deb Kalmbach

The first Christmas card of the season arrived in my mailbox way back in August. How could anyone be that organized? Then I noticed my friend, Nita, had sent me a card I had written to her more than 20 years ago!

Memories rushed back as I read the words penned in my familiar handwriting. It was Christmas, 1991, and my world had unraveled. I could almost pretend everything was all right at this most wonderful time of the year—but not that year.

My husband Randy’s drinking problem had escalated to the point where his job and career were on the line. He had already been through two alcohol treatment programs and managed to stay sober for short periods of time. Then he slipped back into old, familiar patterns. His ongoing relapses were a crushing disappointment for our family.

I had looked forward to Christmas Eve and our family traditions; making homemade lasagna, singing carols around the piano, attending the candlelight service at church, and then coming home to open one token Christmas Eve present.     

“Randy, are you ready to crank out the pasta?” I called to him over the Christmas music I was playing to lift my spirits.

I peered into the living room to see what was keeping him. My heart froze. Randy sat on the couch, trance-like, watching a basketball game while sipping a drink.

No, not on Christmas Eve, I screamed inwardly. I felt like I was suffocating. Usually Randy pulled himself together but it didn’t happen that night. He drank vodka all evening while I finished holiday preparations on autopilot. None of us felt like eating lasagna or celebrating.

Only a few days earlier, I had written these words on the Christmas card to my friend, Nita. I don’t know God’s plans, his timing or his ways in accomplishing his purposes, but I am learning to trust him. He is faithful!

I suspect Nita kept my card all those years because she saw a small seed of faith and it encouraged her heart. I didn’t know it at the time, but it would be eight more Christmas seasons before Randy experienced the miraculous breakthrough of finding freedom from alcoholism.

As I read the card I had written so long ago, I felt awed by God’s faithfulness to us—even when our situation looked completely hopeless.

You may be facing great difficulty as the holidays approach. The last thing you feel like is celebrating. And that’s O.K. The Good News of Christmas isn’t about picture perfect holidays where our homes are decorated a la Martha Stewart and tables are laden with holiday delicacies. Your days may not be merry and bright. You may be grieving the loss of a loved one or the loss of a relationship through divorce or estrangement. Your world has unraveled.

That’s exactly why the message of Christmas is Good News. The Savior is born! The One who came to set you free, to give you peace and hope and help beyond anything you could ever imagine is as near as your next breath. Today you might not be able to see how God’s purposes are unfolding for your future, but you can be assured that He is working all things for good in your life. A twenty year-old Christmas card came on a summer day as an unexpected gift and gentle reminder of God’s presence—especially in the worst of times.

 ~~~

About Deb: Deb Kalmbach is the coauthor of Because I Said Forever: Embracing Hope in a Not-So- Perfect Marriage and the author of a book for children, Corey’s Dad Drinks Too Much. She has contributed to The New Women’s Devotional Bible, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace, and other anthologies. She is a vibrant and engaging speaker who gives hope and practical solutions to those who struggle with difficult relationships. Deb and her husband, Randy, live in a tiny town in Eastern Washington. Visit Deb at: www.debkalmbach.com, or on Facebook and Twitter.

~~~

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. One entry per person, per day. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info





Disclaimer- I was not compensated for this post.