REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY OF WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DOG MAKES BY D. JENNINGS

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What a Difference a Dog Makes: Big Lessons on Life, Love and Healing from a Small Pooch is A must-read for every dog lover—a short, tender, and uplifting tale of a cancer survivor and the life lessons shared with him by his beloved family dog.

Our dogs come into our lives as “just the family pet,” but before we know it they become drinking buddies and fuzzy shrinks, playmates and Cheerios-munching vacuum cleaners, alarm clocks and sleeping partners. And, in their mys­terious and muttish ways, our dogs become our teachers.

When Dana Jennings and his son were both seriously ill—Dana with prostate cancer and his son with liver failure—their twelve-year-old miniature poodle Bijou became even more than a pet and teacher. She became a healing presence in their lives. After all, when you’re recovering from radical surgery and your life is uncertain, there’s no better medicine than a  twenty-three-pound pooch who lives by the motto that it’s always best to play, even when you’re old and creaky, even when you’re sick and frightened.

In telling Bijou’s tale in all of its funny, touching, and neurotic glory, Jennings is telling the story of every dog that has ever blessed our lives. The perfect gift for animal lovers, What a Difference a Dog Makes is a narrative ode to our canine guardian angels.

My Thoughts-

This is a touching and wonderful memoir full of humor as well as sadness. Mr. Jennings has written a wonderful book about Man's Best Friend and other lovable creatures such as cats, lizards and Guinea pigs. I especially liked the chapter on the Ten Dog Commandments and my favorite was "You shall not bear false witness against your D_g. A dog has never actually your homework." Boy is that so true. I tried that once in school and that did not work. The book was easy to read and I finished the book rather quickly. You can learn a lot from animals. I have a cat and a couple of fish. I wonder what my cat is saying when he looks at me with those green eyes. I guess I will never know. There were many things in the book I could relate to since I have had a dog, fish, guinea pigs and a cat. So would you like to win a copy of this great little book? It is easy enter my contest.

Thanks to Knopf-Doubleday, I am able to give away two copies of this book.

OPEN TO  US RESIDENTS ONLY.

No PO Boxes.

Prizes will be sent by the publisher.

To Enter-

Please put all entries into one comment. Thank You!

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Contest ends 12/11 at 12mn EST.

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

BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW OF ROSE IN A STORM BY J. KATZ

Join Jon Katz, author of the dramatic dog adventure novel, Rose in a Storm (Villard Books) as he virtually tours the blogosphere  on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book.

 

About the Book-

Rose a Border Collie is determined and focused, keeping the sheep out of danger and protecting the other creatures on the farm she calls home. But of all those she’s looked after since coming to the farm as a puppy, it is Sam, the farmer, whom she watches most carefully.

   

Awoken one cold midwinter night during lambing season, Rose and Sam struggle into the snowy dark to do their work. The ever observant Rose has seen a change in her master of late, ever since Sam’s wife disappeared one day. She senses something else in the air as well: A storm is coming, but not like any of the ones she’s seen over the years. This storm feels different, bigger, more foreboding.

   

When an epic blizzard hits the region, it will take all of Rose’s resolve, resourcefulness, and courage to help Sam save the farm and the creatures who live there.

Jon Katz consulted with animal behavior scientists to create his unique and convincing vision of the world as seen through the eyes of a dog. Poignant, thrilling, and beautifully wrought, Rose in a Storm is a wonderfully original and powerful tale from a gifted storyteller.

To enlarge reader click it.

Visit the Author's site and view the wonderful video about the Farm and the dogs.

My Thoughts-

What a moving and fantastic book. Rose acted like a person protecting and caring for her "children" on the farm. Even through the toughest times, Rose pulled through. I felt that I was standing right next to Rose watching her work and hearing her thoughts. The way the author described the storm and how the animals interacted was very unique and I have never read a book like this one before. This is the first book that I have read by the author and it certainly will not be the last. Bravo, Mr. Katz for writing an inspirational, emotional, and well written novel. I highly recommend the book to everyone.

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

BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW OF ALMOST HEAVEN BY C. FABRY

In Almost Heaven, Billy Allman is a genius but he was short on social skills. He decides to build a radio station with spare parts that he has collected. The people in the town laughed at him but that does not bother Billy. Billy has a secret that has been haunting him for many years and things have always gone wrong for him. He has a passion for playing the mandolin and plays bluegrass music on his radio station. Through out Billy's life he is being watch by an angel Malachi. Although this was not his dream assignment, Malachi follows the man and sees how Billy lives and the problems that he faces. When Billy's secret is revealed his life and the people close to him are changed. Malachi wants to protect him but he was only sent as an observer. What happens to Billy and Malachi? I guess you have to read the book to find out.

About the Author-

 Chris Fabry is the host of Chris Fabry Live!, an hour of spiritual encouragement from his backyard radio fence. The program challenges listeners to think biblically about their spiritual journeys. Chris is also the author of the Christy Award-winning novel Dogwood, and his latest fiction release, June Bug. He and his family live near Tucson, Arizona. You can learn more about Chris at www.chrisfabry.com

My Thoughts-

I loved this book and I could not put it down. There were twists and turns throughout the book that kept me hooked. I loved Billy, Callie and all of the other characters in the town. Billy has be plagued with problems all his life and the book shows that God can intervene in our lives to make us stronger to face our problems. I have never read any of the author's books before and I can not wait to find out what he is planning for the future. I even downloaded his podcasts on my I touch and it was very entertaining and informative. There were some very interesting guests on his show. So if you want some inspiration in your life read Almost Heaven and listen to the podcasts you will be glad you did.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from Glass Road Public Relations for my honest review and I was nit compensated for my review.

BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW OF FULL MOON AT NOONTIDE BY A. PUTNAM

Full Moon at Noontide: A Daughter's Last Goodbye is a wonderful memoir about the author's mother, father and his identical twin. The story takes the reader through the journey of the end of life: selling the family home, re-location at a retirement community, doctor’s visits, ER visits, specialists, hospitalizations, ICU, nursing homes, and Hospice. The memoir included humor,sorrow, joy and terror and unfortunately death. While the author was revising the book her husband was dying of cancer and he passed away before she could finish the book. When the book was completed, it was three months after he passed away.

My Thoughts-

My grandmother passed away when I was twelve years old ( I am sixteen now) and I had many fond memories of her. My grandfather is still alive and is eighty years old. When I had the chance to read the book, I was a little reluctant and my mother said that it was good for me to read it. I enjoyed the book and my favorite twin was Henry. Boy, was he a character and he made me laugh. I read the book on vacation and I had difficulty putting it down. I volunteer weekly in a local nursing home and I can see how hard it can be to care for the elderly and all the emotions that go along with caring for them. The author is an excellent writer and she gave me a different insight into life. I have learned that even the most independent person may need some assistance in their lives when they grow older and may have to rely on a nursing home to care for them. I recommend the book to everyone not to make them depressed but to learn a little about aging.

About the author-

 Ann Putnam  teaches creative writing and women’s studies at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. She has published short fiction, personal essays, literary criticism, and book reviews in various anthologies such as Hemingway and Women:  Female Critics and the Female Voice and in journals, including the Hemingway Review, Western American Literature, and the South Dakota Review.  Her recent release is Full Moon at Noontide: A Daughter’s Last Goodbye.  You can visit her website at www.annputnam.com.

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

BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW OF DAVID AND GOLIATH BY B. HATHAWAY

In the book David and Goliath: The Guardian Angel Chronicles, David Liberty is trapped in a failing body and lives in a nursing home. His mind is still intact and he is very lonely and bitter. He is visited frequently by his daughter Mary and one day his life changes. He is visited by an angel, Joelle, who offers David a second chance at life. There are rules to be followed and he has to show God through his actions that he believes and loves him. He is thrown into the lives of people and he starts to care for them. He has to face many obstacles -the angel has removed his ability to speak and he must fight an enemy that is trying to destroy God's children in anyway that he can. Can David help himself and the people he is introduced to? What happens to David? I guess you have to read the book to find out.


About the Author-

A physical therapy clinic and fitness center owner, Bryan Hathaway has dedicated his life to helping people heal. In an effort to reach individuals at a spiritual level, Bryan has taken his knowledge of scripture and love for fiction and combined the two in his own series of novels, The Guardian Angel Chronicles. Recipient of "The small business of the year award" in 2003, Bryan has been a guest at local schools and churches where he speaks on subjects like: "Winning in sports and winning in life," and "Success after school." His speaking topics are all inspired by tragedies in his own life where he learned firsthand about the fragility of life and that there is no guarantee of tomorrow.

Author's Website-

My Thoughts-

I LOVED the book. I was immediately drawn into the storyline and I was not able to put the book down. The characters were described fully and I felt that I had known them well. I recommend the book to everyone and second chances can happen in our lives. There was humor, adventure, love, and good vs evil all rolled up into an excellent novel. I look forward to the next installment of the Guardian Angel Chronicles.


Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book by Rebeca at Glass Roads PR for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

BLOG TOUR, GIVEAWAY AND REVIEW OF MY SISTER'S VOICE BY MARY CARTER

What would you do if you found out you had a twin? In the book My Sister's Voiceby Mary Carter, one woman found that out. Meet Lacey, an artist, who has been deaf almost all of her life. She finds an anonymous letter in her mailbox that says You have a twin. At first she is shocked than she goes through denial. The letter tells her to where to see her long lost twin. She goes to a bookstore and sees the poster in the window and sees herself. At first she thinks it is an imposter but as the story progresses she learns more about her sister, Monica, who is supposed to do a book signing that day. The store owner thinks that Lacey is Monica and that is when the fun begins. I do not want to spoil if for you so I will not tell you anymore.

Monica has problems of her own and she is possibly living a lie. When they finally meet, the women's pasts are unfolded and the adventure just begins. Monica can hear and is introduced to the deaf community. She begins to learn American Sign Language (ALS). There are numerous characters in the book that play a crucial role in the story. Does Lacey and Monica stay together or are they drawn apart? That question and many more are answered in the book.

Visit http://www.marycarterbooks.com/.

About the Author-

MARY CARTER is a freelance writer and novelist. My Sister’s Voice is her fourth novel with Kensington. Her other works include: She’ll Take It, Accidentally Engaged, Sunnyside Blues, andThe Honeymoon House in the best selling anthology Almost Home. She is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, which is part of the Rochester Institute of Technology. She has just completed A Very Maui Christmas, a new novella for Kensington that will be included in a Christmas of 2010 anthology. She is currently working on a new novel, The Pub Across the Pond, about an American woman who swears off all Irish men only to learn she’s won a pub in Ireland.

My Thoughts-


I can relate to the book. I am a twin and we are very close. When we are apart for a long time we feel sad and sometimes we know what the other is thinking with out saying a word. We have a bond that will never be separated. The book was excellent and the way the deaf community was included in the story was great. I am presently taking American Sign Language (ASL) in high school and I love the language. I tried to get my mother to let me drop Spanish but she said "No". I guess she is right and it will be useful in the future. I plan to go to college for ASL and become certified. So when I got the opportunity to read this beautifully written book, I could not wait to get it in the mail. I was not disappointed. The book included passion, deceit, struggles and a bond between two people that cannot be broken. I recommend this book to everyone. Even if you do not have a twin, or a deaf friend, you can learn a lot from this book. I did. Bravo Ms. Carter, you did a great job and I cannot wait to read your other books.


Trailer-

AND NOW FOR THE CONTEST-

Thanks to the Author, I am able to giveaway a copy(ARC) of this great book.

TO ENTER- PUT ALL ENTRIES IN ONE COMMENT AND INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL.

USA AND CANADA ONLY.

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CONTEST ENDS- Thur June 10th at 12MN EasternGood Luck!!

Disclaimer: I was given a free book(ARC)by the author and I was not compensated for my review

CONTEST AND BLOG TOUR OF A DISTANT MELODY BY S. SUNDIN

A Distant Melody, Book 1 in Sarah Sundin’s exciting Wings of Glory series is set during the WWII era. Allegra Miller (Allie) a well to do woman from California attends her friends wedding. She meets a handsome Lt. Walter Novak, who is ready to deploy overseas. They spend time together for a week and their relationship starts. Allie does not tell him that her father has arranged her marriage to his business partner J. Baxter Hicks. When Walter leaves to be a pilot on a B-17 bomber, and Allie returns home they start to write letters to each other and their friendship grows. While Allie is planning her wedding to a man she does not love, Walter is faced with many dangers on his missions. What will happen when Allie tells Walter of her pending marriage? Will the two of them be together and follow the plan that God has provided for them? I do not want to spoil it for you so I will not tell you anymore.

About the Author-

Sarah Sundin followed an unusual career path for a novelist, receiving a bachelor's in chemistry from UCLA and a doctorate in pharmacy from UC San Francisco. She now lives in northern California with her husband, three children, an antisocial cat, and a yellow lab determined to eat her manuscripts. When not driving kids to soccer and karate, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches women's Bible studies and fourth- and fifth-grade Sunday school. She has been writing since 2000 and belongs to American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Authors Network, and Diablo Valley Christian Writers Group. A Distant Melody is her first novel, the first in the Wings of Glory series.

Discussion Questions
Website

My Thoughts-

Sara Sundin wrote a remarkable book that shows how a long distance relationship can be kept alive. This was a wonderful love story, and was easy to read. All of the characters were well developed and the historical information was well researched. When Walter was in the B-17, I felt that I was sitting with him and experiencing what he was seeing and feeling. I wanted the story to continue and I look forward to reading the second book in the series A Memory Between Us. Bravo, Ms. Sundin for a job well done!
Check out all of the other stops on the Blog tour here.

AND NOW FOR THE GREAT CONTEST-

THE CONTEST:

A Distant Melody, Book 1 in Sarah Sundin’s exciting Wings of Glory series, is in stores now! To celebrate the release, we’re offering one Grand Prize winner the chance to get nostalgic!

To enter just click on the icon above!

Contest will be live April 5th thru April 25th

   THE PRIZE:

The Winner of our ‘NETFLIX® & Nostalgia’ giveaway will receive a vintage prize package, including:

*A 6 month NETFLIX® subscription
*$25 Starbucks® gift card
*A box of See’s Famous Old Time Chocolates®
*A jar of homemade strawberry jam
*A Big Band music CD
*A Mini B-17 Model airplane
*Vintage stationery and pen
*British specialty tea
*WWII style playing cards


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

BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW OF SCATTERED PETALS BY AMANDA CABOT

Scattered Petals by Amanda Cabot is the second novel in the Texas Dreams series. Priscilla Morton and her parents leave Boston to live with Sarah Dobbs the heroine of the first novel in the series Paper Roses. Along the way they are ambushed by a bunch of bandits. Priscilla's parents are killed and she is badly injured. She is rescued by Texas Ranger Woods. He takes her to Sarah’s ranch and there she meets the ranch Foreman Zach Webster. Throughout the book Priscilla has to deal with a series of misfortunes and emotional struggles. She forms a close bond with Zach who has a past that creeps up during the story.Will Zach and Priscilla find true love? Will zach's past keep them apart? I do not want to give the story away. So read the book to find out.

Read an Excerpt

About The Author-

With both parents avid readers, it's no surprise that Amanda Cabot learned to read at an early age. From there it was only a small step to deciding to become a writer. Of course, deciding and becoming are two different things, as she soon discovered. Fortunately for the world, her first attempts at fiction, which included a play for her fifth grade class entitled "All About Thermometers," were not published, but she did meet her goal of selling a novel by her thirtieth birthday. Since then she's sold more than twenty five novels under a variety of pseudonyms. When she's not writing, Amanda enjoys sewing, cooking and - of course - reading.

My Thoughts-



When I first started to read the book, I thought it was like other romance novel that I had read. This one was different. It was full of adventure, hardship, and love. There were many different characters woven into the story and each played a part in the plot of the story. The author was able to tie all the characters together, and kept me interested throughout the whole book. Although I have not read the first book in the series, I had no problem following the characters. I recommend this book to everyone who likes adventure wrapped up with romance.




Available March 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. I received a free copy from Revell for my honest review. I was not compensated for my review in any way.

REVIEW OF THE WAY TO STILLNESS BY A. ALEXANDER VINCENT & G.ALEXANDER

 Gayle Alexander looks back over a fifty-year career as a master counselor, gifted teacher, and minister. Gayle and her daughter, Anne, share her unique approach to connecting with others at a deep level, offering a practical guide that anyone might use as a manual on their spiritual journey. This approach has come to be known the world over as the Love Motif. Full of rich insight, and profound, inspiring life lessons gleaned from fifty years of private practice and being a companion on the way to thousands of individuals, Alexander offers powerful tools to a new generation of helpers. It is her hope that educators, clergy members, physicians, clinicians, therapists, counselors, and anyone involved in the mentoring process find their own Way to Stillness and pass it on.

My Thoughts-

The way to stillness is a beautifully written book about a woman’s journey to peace and happiness. Since I work in the medical profession, I can use the information presented in my everyday practice. The author has some wonderful photos of nature and objects that adds a special touch to the book. I loved the story about Mike. He was legally blind and everyone around him had given up on him and thought he could never read. He loved anything mechanical. The author introduced him to an engineer and he allowed Mike to touch the equipment. Mike began to blossom. Mike graduated High School and the author said that she used the “Love Motif” with Mike. The Love Motif is a desire to impact another person’s life in a positive way. I have learned a lot about myself and other people by reading the book. So what is stillness? It is the ability to find inner peace and have the ability to instill that in everyone we meet. I recommend this book to everyone who wants a little peace in their life and wants to help others achieve stillness.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the Cadence Group and I was not compensated for my review.
 

BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW OF SONS OF THUNDER BY SUSAN MAY WARREN

In Sons of Thunderby Susan May Warren, Sophie Frangos is torn between the love of two men and the promise that binds them all together. Markos Stavros loves Sophie from afar while battling his thirst for vengeance and his hunger for honor. Dino, his quiet and intelligent brother, simply wants to forget the horror that drove them from their Greek island home to start a new life in America. One of these sons of thunder offers a future she longs for, the otherthe past she lost. From the sultry Chicago jazz clubs of the roaring twenties to the World War II battlefields of Europe to a final showdown in a Greek island village, theyll discover betrayal, sacrifice and finally redemption. Most of all, when Sophie is forced to make her choice, shell learn that God honors the promises made by the Sons of Thunder.

About the Author 

Susan May Warren is an award winning, bestselling novelist of over twenty four novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award and have been Christy and Rita finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, she returned home to a small town on Minnesotas beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children and her husband are active in their local church.

My Thoughts-

I have been learning about WWII in my Global History class this year and the descriptions in the novel were very realistic. I liked that he author wrote the book in three little parts, one for each of the main characters in the story. The book was an enjoyable and quick read. There was suspense, romance, and drama. The author did a fantastic job in describing the feelings of the characters and how they affected each other. I was not aware that she had written so many interesting books until I investigated the author's website. I look forward to reading Double Trouble, and the the next edition in the Brothers in Arms Collection.

CONTEST!



Be sure to check out Susan's fun contest for the book's release: Each one of us has a wealth of stories from the past – while they might not all be as sweeping and dramatic as that of Sons of Thunder’s Sofia and the Stravos brothers (swoon), your family history is a treasure nonetheless.


Well – let’s hear them! Were your great-grandparents ‘fresh off the boat’? Was your great uncle a war hero? Did your grandmother make unbelievable sacrifices to help or protect the family? Did your father harbor a family secret until his death? Are you related to someone famous? Do you have a family treasure? Whatever it is that is unique in your family history – share your story here! (click on the SHARE button)

One grand prize winner will receive:


• Memory Prize package containing a gift certificate to create your own hard cover photo book
• 6 month membership to Netflix (to satisfy that flick fix!)
• Signed copy of Sons of Thunder!


5 runners up will also win signed copies of Sons of Thunder.

Check Out the other stops on the tour here



Disclaimer: Litfuse Publicity has provided me with a complimentary copy of the book. I was not compensated for the review.