The Second Messiah ~ Giveaway and Review

In the desert near Jerusalem, an archaeologist is murdered after he uncovers stunning evidence in a Dead Sea scroll about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The two-thousand-year-old parchment containing enigmatic references to not one but two messiahs is stolen before it can be fully translated.

In Rome, a charismatic American priest with long-hidden secrets is elected pope, setting off widespread panic among some of the faithful who question whether he is the anti-Christ or the world’s new savior. As the conspiracy over the scroll explodes into a political and religious standoff, two people find themselves on the run, trying to stay one step ahead of unknown assassins in their search for truth.

Archaeologist Jack Cane and Israeli police inspector Lela Raul must solve the mystery of the Second Messiah and uncover the real secret behind the message of Jesus before they are permanently silenced and the scroll and its contents are forever lost to humanity.

In the latest suspense thriller from Glenn Meade, The Second Messiah, takes the readers into a dangerous journey through various countries in the Middle East searching for the stolen scrolls that may change how the world views religion from here on out, and someone will do whatever it takes to make sure that no one knows they exist. Unfortunately more than one person does, and those would be the archaeologists that discovered the scroll. They have read a portion of what it says and now know just how valuable this find is to the world. The last thing this big was the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls.

Now Jack Cane and his team will stop at nothing until they find and recover the missing scroll while the newest pope, Celestine the Sixth, whose former name was Cardinal John Becket, is out to disclose all the hidden secrets of the Vatican and offering full disclosure of anything the church has held since the beginning of the Rome Catholic Church. However, most within the church realize how much that information could destroy the faith of the public in regards to the church. Just what is the newest popes mission by opening the church to the public?

I received this book compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review and LOVED the intrigue and suspense that unravels literally right in the first chapter. It held my interest throughout and had me flipping pages so quickly just to see how this was all going to turn out. For me, those are signs of a best seller and why I am rating this one a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information on this book, the author and where to pick up a copy of this book, please click on the link below:

The Second Messiah by Glenn Meade

Thanks to the generous folks at Howard Books, they are providing a giveaway copy to one lucky follower of my blog who enters. Here's all you need to do:

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

2. Be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address. Please No P.O Boxes.

3. Leave me a comment and share why you would be interested in this giveaway along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

The giveaway will end on December 15th and I will be notifying the winner by email at that time.

The Besty-Tacy Treasure - Review

My Review:

Since I began reading books in my early childhood, I kept the love of reading alive well into my later adult ones and some of the classics are beginning to resurface such as the Betsy-Tacy series, in this collection that I had the opportunity to review. The best part this has been being able to share this simple but timeless stories with my youngest daughter who is enjoying them as much as I am.

Since the books begin when the girls are 5 and continue until they are 12, the stories provide a rare opportunity to open up dialogue with my own daughter. The stories share what it's like for girls to grow from childhood to adolescence even though this books were written in a different time period, the situations are still real life for any girl to have to endure and lessons are learned along the way.

I received this book collection to review compliments of TLC Book Tours for my honest review and have to stamp this a perfect 5 out of 5 stars! Here's even more great information about the book, the author and where to purchase a copy below:

About The Betsy-Tacy Treasury

• Paperback: 736 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics (November 8, 2011)

There are lots of children on Hill Street, but no little girls Betsy’s age. So when a new family moves into the house across the street, Betsy hopes they will have a little girl she can play with. Sure enough, the moment Betsy meets Tacy, one of the most heartfelt friendships in all of children’s literature begins.

The Betsy-Tacy Treasury brings together the first four books in Maud Hart Lovelace’s classic series: Betsy-Tacy; Betsy, Tacy and Tib; Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill; and Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown. Tracing the girls’ lives from early childhood to the brink of adolescence, Lovelace illuminates their innocent, mischievous fun and their eye-opening adventures exploring the world around them—from the stories Betsy spins from their neighborhood bench and the sand stores they run in their backyards, to their first experiences at the library, the thrill of the theater, and the sight of their first automobile.

The Treasury includes forewords by Judy Blume, Ann M. Martin, and Johanna Hurwitz.

About Maud Hart Lovelace

Maud Hart Lovelace was born on April 25, 1892, in Mankato, Minnesota. Like Betsy, Maud followed her mother around the house at age five asking such questions as “How do you spell ‘going down the street’?” for the stories she had already begun to write. Soon she was writing poems and plays. When Maud was ten, a booklet of her poems was printed; and by age eighteen, she had sold her first short story, for ten dollars, to the Los Angeles Times.

The Hart family left Mankato shortly after Maud’s high school graduation in 1910. They settled in Minneapolis, where Maud attended the University of Minnesota. In 1914, she sailed for Europe, and spent the months leading up to the outbreak of World War I in England. In 1917, she married Delos W. Lovelace, a newspaper reporter who later became a popular writer of short stories, and in 1926 her first novel was published. Five more historical novels followed. Maud wrote two of them in collaboration with her husband.

The Lovelaces’ daughter Merian was born in 1931. Maud would tell her daughter bedtime stories about her childhood in Minnesota and it was these stories that gave the author the idea of writing the Betsy-Tacy books. Maud did not intend to write an entire series when Betsy-Tacy, the first book, was published in 1940. But readers asked for more stories, so Maud took Betsy through high school and beyond college to the “great world” and marriage.

The Betsy-Tacy books were based closely upon Maud’s own life. Almost all of Betsy’s experiences were also Maud’s. “Of course, I could make it all up, but in these Betsy-Tacy stories, I love to work from real incidents,” Maud wrote.

Maud Hart Lovelace died on March 11, 1980. But her legacy lives on in the beloved series she created and in her legion of fans, many of whom are members of the Betsy-Tacy Society, a national organization based in Mankato.

Find out about the Betsy-Tacy convention in 2012 and the Betsy-Tacy Society.

To read even more reviews on this collection, click on the TLC Book Tour.

Asenath - Review and Giveaway

Filled with all the mysteries of Ancient Egypt, Anna Patricio, captures the very essence of the time period in the debut novel, Asenath. Pulled from the Bible we find an unknown character written about in Genesis 41, the wife of Joseph, the readers are in for a delightful journey into the lives of the people in Egypt during the year 1554 B.C. Where the worship of various Gods were still responsible for how the people responded to certain situations.

Here we find the story of a young girl named Kira who endured a tragedy of losing her family and being taken as a captive during the war between a humble fishing village Kira was a part of and a rival jungle tribe. When the armies of Egypt finally rescue her, now an orphan, she is immediately taken into the temple to be raised as a servant of the high priests and priestesses that dwell within.

Kira still remains a humble child with believes that people should not be treated as less than human and it's her encounter with a abused slave boy in a market that will ultimately change her life as a servant forever. Her kindness is both an asset and her downfall depending on who she comes face to face with. Will she be able to find true love and the life she so desperately longs for in as the sands of time continue their assault on Ancient Egypt?



I received Asenath by Anna Patricio compliments of the author for my honest review and being a huge fan of Ancient history and especially all the mysteries surrounding Egypt, I literally jumped at the opportunity. For anyone who loves history, Egypt and a great fictional story written around both, then this is the perfect book for you. Hands down this is an exceptional novel and rates a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information on this book, the author and where to purchase a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

Asenath by Anna Patricio

You can find Anna on Smashwords by clicking here.


Thanks to Anna Patricio's generosity she is providing a giveaway copy to one lucky reader of my blog who enters. Here's all you need to do to enter.

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

2. Be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address. Please No P.O. Boxes.

3. Leave me a comment along with your email address telling me why you'd love to win a copy of this book. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols. I will be contacting the winner of the giveaway by email, so don't forget to include it.

The giveaway will end on December 10th and I will notify the winner by email at that time.

Remembering You

Television producer Ava Ellington cannot refuse her grandfather's last wish - that she accompany him to Europe on a tour of World War II battle sites. Ava has little interest in historical battles, but this may be her last chance to break down the barriers that have grown up between them, and she sets off, camera in hand, ready to record and report on their journey. She and Grandpa Jack are greeted in Paris by Paul, her grandpa's best friend, and his grandson Dennis. The Dennis who just happens to be Ava's first love.

History comes alive as the group travels across Europe - from the romantic sights of Paris to the bleak battlefields of Belgium to the Austrian labor camp these men liberated so many years before - and Ava sees a side of her grandfather she's never known before. As he shares his memories of those bitter days on the battlefield, she begins to understand how his experiences in the war made him the man he is today.

Throughout the journey, Ava and Dennis are drawn together in ways neither of them expected. Can their memories of the past lead to a bright new future?

My Review:

This is such a wonderful book to read as an outsider looking into the personal relationship that Ava and her grandfather are working at resolving while traveling across Europe despite the fact that the original planned tour was cancelled and now Ava is funding this trip as a gift to her grandfather. Feeling more than overwhelmed at traveling in a country where the language is foreign to her as well as the country itself, she is determined to make this trip memorable for her grandfather, despite the fact that her very job could depend on the footage she is able to capture along the way. However her grandfather isn't about to share his memories so Ava can capture this on her television show. There are simply some memories that are just too painful to share as Ava will soon discover the real reason for her grandfather's trip to Europe.

I received Remembering You by Tricia Goyer, compliments of Litfuse Publicity for my honest review and since Tricia Goyer is one of my personal literary favorites I jumped at the chance to read this one. I am such a huge history fan of World War II, that this was such a rare delight to see how the war impacted someone on a personal level and that's why I believe this one deserves all 5 out of 5 stars! If you would love to know more information about the book, the author and where to pick up a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

Remembering You by Tricia Goyer

You can also read about the amazing giveaway that Tricia is sponsoring with Facebook by clicking here.

Title: Win a Kindle Touch for YOU and a Friend from Tricia Goyer!
Tricia Goyer is celebrating the release of her novel, Remembering You, with a KINDLE Touch Giveaway for you ... and for the friend of your choice. Then on 11/29 she'll be wrapping up the release of Remembering You with a Book Chat Party!



During the first half of the party Tricia will be chatting, sharing a sneak peek of her next book, and giving away a ton of great stuff. Then she'll head over to her website for a Live Chat! Readers will be able to chat with Tricia via video or text.



Don't miss your chance to win a Kindle Touch for yourself ... and to "remember" a friend this holiday with a Kindle Touch for them!



Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Brand New Kindle Touch and a Kindle Touch for a Friend (winner's choice!)


• A copy of Remembering You by Tricia Goyer for each

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on November 29th. Winner will be announced at Remembering You Facebook Party on 11/29. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away copies of her other WWII books and gift certificates to Starbucks and Amazon.com. So grab your copy of Remembering You and join Tricia on the evening of the 29th for an author chat, a trivia contest (How much do you know about WWII?) and lots of giveaways.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 15th!

Blame It On Mistletoe

The elderly residents of Greenbrier's Nursing Home are simply up to no good! No good in the eyes of the residents of Bright Pond that is. Now that Hattie Grace who is almost ninety years old is now riding a tricyle like a three year old, and another couple is kissing like teenagers under the newly built gazebo on the property. Just what is really going on?

As Police Chief Mildred Blessing attempts to investigate all the angles on this strange dilemma, along with the nursing home doctor, they believe that someone is putting something in the food or water that the nursing home residents are drinking. Ever since Leon Fontaine has come to town and begin building things around Bright Pond, the residents here, are now acting a whole lot stranger than normal.

In the novel, Blame It On Mistletoe by Joyce Magnin, the reader is introduced to some of the quirky residents living in Bright Pond. From a beloved woman named Ruth who is prepared to out do all the previous Thanksgiving festivities that have been hosted at others homes, by offering a Thanksgiving Tropical Luau and making it definitely one that will be talked about for years to come.

Griselda is at her wit's end trying to decide if she is in love with Zeb, the diner's chief cook extraordinaire or her new aviation teacher, Cliff. Now if only she could discover what love really means while both are doing their very best to try and impress her.

I received this book on my Kindle compliments of Net Galley and Abingdon Press for my honest review and this one is just perfect for not just Christmas but anytime. You can't help but fall in love with the amusing characters of Joyce Magnin's Bright Pond series, and this one is no exception! I rate this one a classical 5 out of 5 Christmas stars! For more information on this book, the author, a first chapter sneak peek and where to purchase a copy of this book, click on the link below:

Blame It On Mistletoe by Joyce Magnin

Out of Oz

Once peaceful and prosperous, the spectacular Land of Oz is knotted with social unrest: The Emerald City is mounting an invasion of Munchkinland, Glinda is under house arrest, and the Cowardly Lion is on the run from the law. And look who's knocking at the door. It's none other than Dorothy. Yes. That Dorothy.

Yet amidst all this chaos, Elphaba's granddaughter, the tiny green baby born at the close of Son of A Witch, has come of age. Now it is up to Rain to take up her broom - and her legacy - in an Oz wracked by war.

Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire is the stirring, long-awaited conclusion to the best selling series begun with Wicked. This is a magical journey rife with revelations and reversals, reprisals and surprises - the hallmarks of the unique imagination of Gregory Maguire.

My Review:

Having never read any of the series except for the movie, The Wizard of Oz, I was immediately brought up to speed in the books with a brief recap of the synopsis of each of the subsequent books in this series, and this was a beautiful conclusion to the story to all the characters we've come to love and adore and wondered just what became of them when they all returned at the end of the movie. I personally have been a fan of Dorothy's since the beginning and it was nice to know what happened after she returns to Kansas. Just what did she have to say to Auntie Em? Did they think it was all a bad dream or was she able to convince them that a place called Oz actually exists?

To find out you'll have to pick up a copy of Out of Oz, the concluding novel in the Wicked series. I received this beautifully illustrated hardcover copy compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review and have to say this one rates a 5 out of 5 in my book! To anyone who has loved the Wizard of Oz or the Wicked Series, this is a MUST READ for you fans!

For more information on this book, the author and where to purchase a copy please click on the links below:

Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire

You can also find out more at Gregory Maguire's website by clicking here.
He's on Facebook as well by clicking here.

Diary of A Player - Giveaway and Review

What does country music, guitar heroes and an autobiography have in common? The newest novel called, Diary of A Player by Brad Paisley and David Wild. Welcome to the unique story of just how untalented Brad Paisley really believed himself to be and how he utilized the talents of creative legends like Buck Owens, Roy Clark, and Chet Atkins to help him turn his dream into a reality!

This honest, funny, revealing book is one musician's true story of what's been a very musical life with strings attached. Diary of A Player is Brad Paisley's love letter to the guitar as an instrument that changes our lives and a loving tribute to the musical heroes that taught him everything he really needed to know about growing up.

You will learn about the important people that came into Brad's life from his humble beginnings as an 8-year-old-boy who received a guitar from his grandfather one Christmas and his journey into learning how to become the talented musician we have come to love and adore. Believe it or not, he didn't just pick it up as a natural and begin playing. He actually gave it up for awhile much to the dismay of his grandfather. The reader is also along for the journey into how he met and married Kimberly Williams, his wife and what his thoughts are for his own children. Included with the book are candid photos of Brad's journey to stardom and some of the "guitar heroes" he has met along the way.

I received this novel compliments of Simon and Schuster for my honest review and loved how simple the story was written. You actually feel as though Brad is sitting with you sharing his story in the words that spring to life off the page. You can see that even though he is a musical superstar today, the journey wasn't always the easy one we have a tendency to think of when comparing him to where he is today. I highly recommend this story to my readers and rate this autobiography a 5 out of 5 stars!

For even more information on this book, the author and where to pick up a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

Diary of A Player by Brad Paisley and David Wild

Thanks to the generous folks at Simon and Schuster, they are offering a giveaway copy of this book to one lucky follower of this blog, Reviews From The Heart. Here's all you need to do to enter:

1. Be a follower of Reviews From The Heart.

2. "Like" my Facebook page, Reviews From The Heart.

3. Be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address. Please No P.O. Box addresses since this will be shipped to you directly from the publisher.

4. Leave me a comment telling me why you'd like to win a copy of this book along with your email address. I need a way to contact you if your the winner of the giveaway, so your email address is needed. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

The giveaway will end on December 9th and I will notify the winner by email at that time.

A Marriage Carol

Here's a beautiful twist on the classic story of The Christmas Carol that offers hope to any relationship but essentially one of a troubled marriage.

Marlee and Jacob are spending their 20 year anniversary together only not the way most would expected a married couple to. Jacob and Marlee are headed to a lawyer's office to sign the divorce papers. Only they are headed out on a snowy evening leaving behind their three children in the care of their oldest Becca. Worried on what they should tell them and when, an argument ensures in the car. When traffic begins to slow to a crawl, Jacob decides to take a short cut on a less traveled road headed through the mountains.

As the arguments between the troubled couple continues, Marlee cautions Jacob about the road conditions and the speed at which they are traveling. Oncoming headlights suddenly appear on the dark road before they and as Jacob tries to apply the brakes, their car is broadsided and crashes over the side of the mountain.

When Marlee awakens, she finds herself alone in the car believing that Jacob has gone for help. Trying to escape the cold, she wanders into the snow and comes across a small home in the woods where she finds shelter from the weather and a kind old man who provides her with a unique opportunity to change her life.



In the novel, A Marriage Carol, by Gary Chapman and Chris Fabry, the reader is taken on a magical journey to rediscover the secrets of snow and how to find the hope to see her marriage in a different light. Some of my favorite parts of the book are:

"Love beckons you outside in a snowstorm, in a shaking, wobbling globe where there is no control, where you stand naked in a bitter wind searching for what has been covered. You cannot plan for love. You cannot choose against it once it has come. True loves doesn't end once another steps away. "

"You've seen fake snow in movies. You can tell it every time you see it. The stuff blows around. Won't stick. But real snow does. And that's what the world hungers for, something that sticks. Not something that's tossed by the wind."

I received this book compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Moody Publishers for my honest review. This is a beautiful story that I highly recommend to all my readers! This one will not only bring you love and warmth during the Christmas Season, but a way to see your circumstances in a new light! Hands down this one rates 5 out of 5 stars and in my opinion is one of the best Christmas books that I have read this year. It's definitely one, my family will make part of our Christmas traditions to read every year.

For more information on this book, the authors and where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

A Marriage Carol by Chris Fabry and Gary Chapman

FFH's Christmas Album - One Silent Night ~ Downloadable Giveaway and Review

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Sept. 30, 2011– Best-selling pop group FFH will usher in the holiday season with its first Christmas album. One Silent Night, available Oct. 18, is a mix of original songs and Christmas classics.

Produced by FFH founding member Jeromy Deibler, One Silent Night has been four years in the making. Giving in to the persistent appeals of loyal fans, FFH has crafted a project worthy of your holiday music collection.

Listeners will recognize favorites like “Winter Wonderland,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” and “Jingle Bell Rock,” among others, while being introduced to new tracks including “The Birthday of a King,” “Glorious Impossible,” and “One Silent Night.”

Deibler comments, “We just feel blessed to be able to make this record and wanted to do the kind of Christmas music we like to listen to, something that’s not trendy but more of a classic style. For us Christmas is about remembering… slowing down to see what is important. And being reminded of the glorious impossible that was the birth of Christ. We hope this album reflects that desire and inspires others to do the same.”

FFH plans to support the album with singles “One Silent Night” and “Baby It’s Cold Outside” to radio Oct. 1 as well as select tour dates in November and December.

About FFH
Pop vocal group FFH has released thirteen projects, sold more than two million albums, and garnered 24 radio hits, including seven No. 1 singles and ten Top 5 radio singles. In addition to multiple Dove Award nominations, FFH has been recognized at the Inspirational Life Awards as well as the Billboard Music Video Awards. The group has performed more than 1000 dates since 2000 and continues to be a favorite on the tour circuit. FFH is also known for its work with the “Make-A-Wish Foundation,” Kurt Warner’s “First Things First Foundation,” and for its contributions to national ad campaigns for Coca Cola and IBM.

My Review:

I had never heard of this Christian group before and was super excited to hear their renditions of some of our Christmas favorites as well as their own songs with the Christmas message included. I was not disappointed at all. I received this album in a unique way. I was provided with a link that allowed me to download the album instantly. Having Itunes installed on my computer already and having an Ipod, this was such an instant way not only to review the album but to have it immediately available to me. No wondering when is that going to be here, is it lost in the mail, delayed by weather? Nope, and this is just the way I am extending the giveaway of this album to one lucky follower of my blog who's interested.

First of all, this is a beautiful composed Christmas album that contains the following songs for your enjoyment and entertainment:

Baby, It's Cold Outside, I'll Be Home for Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, Winter Wonderland are your well-know Christmas classics combined with a unique blend of their own songs, The Birth of The King, Glorious Impossible, Heaven and Nature Sing, and One Silent Night. So as you can definitely see, there is something for everyone, and I would rate this album at 5 out of 5 stars.

If you're interested in the giveaway, remember it's a downloadable link you'll receive in an email to upload to your computer, not an actual CD format. So please leave a comment if you're interested!

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

2. Leave a comment with your email address telling me why you would love to win this album from FFH. Remember your email is needed to send you the link if you're the lucky winner. You can even use the symbols (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols to prevent Spam attempts.

The giveaway will end on Dec 1st and I will be emailing the winner to let them know what to do to receive the album link just in time to enjoy this for the holidays.

For more information on this album, the artists, and where to pick this up today, please click on the links below:

One Silent Night by FFH

You can also find them on Facebook by clicking here.

I received this downloadable album to review compliments of Propeller for my honest opinion and did not receive any monetary compensation for my review of the product.

Chosen - Giveaway and Review

Chloe Pinter has what she would consider the "best" job and at times, the "worst" job. She is the director of Portland's Chosen Child domestic adoption program and she is the case worker that helps families find just the perfect child for them to adopt, fitting birth mothers and adoptive parents together. In a sense, she helps build families for parents who can't have children through conventional methods. The downside of this, is that often times, birth mothers wait until the last minute to decide that they want to keep their baby, leaving the adoptive parents with nothing but heart break and the time spent waiting once more to find a birth mother to have a child.

In Chosen by Chandra Hoffman, Chloe is working with three very different sets of parents. One couple who have been childhood sweethearts since college despite twelve miscarriages and a dozen fertility problems are now finally expecting their own baby, praying that this one will carry to term. Another set of parents, are wealthy and can afford the expense that the adoption process carries with it, yet despite their ages, they are finally hoping that they can find a birth mother who will be willing to offer them a child. The final couple are the birth mother and her boyfriend who are having difficulty coming to an agreement over what they want to do. The boyfriend wants to make as much money as possible on the baby and the mother is considering keeping the child.

This is a very compelling look into the different sides of the adoption process from the case worker, to the birth mother to the adoptive parents. Each with a different set of motives, the reader is drawn into each couple's unique set of circumstances and is torn with their emotions over how difficult the entire adoption process can be.

I received this book compliments of TLC Book Tours for my honest review and really enjoyed this one. Like I stated before, for those who have never realized all the work that goes into a successful adoption, this gives you a fictional account of the ins and outs of the process through three different families. I rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars and it does contain some sexual content and profanity as a caution to some readers. For more information on this book, the author and even where to pick up a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

Chosen by Chandra Hoffman

To read even more reviews on this book tour, click here.

Thanks to the generous folks at TLC Book Tours, they are providing a giveaway copy of this book to one lucky reader of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. Here are your guidelines:

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

2. "Like" my Facebook page, Reviews From The Heart.

3. Be a resident of the US or Canada or have a US or Canadian shipping address. Please No P.O. Boxes.

4. Leave a comment telling me why you'd love to win a copy of this book along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

The giveaway will end on December 5th and I will be notifying the winner by email at that time.

Merry Christmas Stories

I don't know about you but nothing gets me in the Christmas Spirit more than some great short stories geared to touch your heart and soul. That's why I can't wait to share this latest treasure I found, Merry Christmas Stories by Jeff R. Spalsbury. Found between the cover of this wonderful book are a collection of 25 short stories just perfect for telling every day until Christmas.

They will make you laugh, smile and just feel great during this magical time of year. They are a collection of different genre's guaranteed to touch your heart in a unique way, and all reflect Christmas love, hope and generosity of the season.

One of my personal favorites is the story of a little girl, Helen, who was told by her mother that Santa has gone missing this year as a way to explain why there wouldn't be any presents under the tree that year for Helen and her two siblings. As a single mother struggling to make ends meet, Linda, is at a loss for how to provide for her kids this Christmas. So when Helen takes her case to Detective Nick Tracer to "find Santa" using all the money she has saved $1.06 and leaves confident that he can find Santa, Nick is at a loss for just what to do. I'll save the ending for you to read once you pick up this book, but safe to say, that you'll fall in love with the Christmas Spirit after reading this one.

There are native American stories, a spin on a Christmas Angel who aids stranded motorists lost in a snow storm, how one busy lady learns the real meaning of Christmas through an unexpected visit from Santa at her office late one night. These are just a sampling of the warmth you are bound to find and I'm reading ours to our family each night as a way to create a lasting impression of what Christmas really means and to leave everyone with happy thoughts on their mind.

I received this book, Merry Christmas Stories by Jeff R. Spalsbury compliments of TLC Book Tours for my honest review and got so much more than a great book to read. It really changed my perception and allowed us to get together as a family and share this great stories. It opened up conversations for us to find ways to help others out this Christmas in bringing these stories to life, right off the pages. Since this is my favorite time of year, I was more than overjoyed to curl up at night and read these wonderful stories and would rate this collection a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information on this book, the author or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Merry Christmas Stories by Jeff R. Spalsbury

You can also read more reviews from the TLC Book Tour by clicking here.

Christmas Stories by Max Lucado

OK most of you already know what a huge fan I am of Max Lucado's books and have already established quite the library containing his novels, but recently I had the opportunity to review Christmas Stories from Max Lucado as well compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers and Net Galley for my honest review. Once again, Max takes the reader by the hand and leads them into another time and place with his magical ability to weave a great story. Only in this book, you get a collection of short stories geared to make you truly appreciate the real meaning behind Christmas and that is the birth of Christ.

One of my favorites is called The Christmas Candle and it takes up almost half the book. It begins in the 1500's when a candle maker's family receives an unexpected visit from an angel on Christmas Eve. Touching only a single candle, the one that receives that candle, prays and then lights it will receive a Christmas miracle. Now in the mid-1800's the story picks up once more with the same family of candle makers who have been maintaining this tradition in the town of Gladstone, England. Every twenty five years, an angel visits the candle maker on Christmas Eve and once again touches only one candle. That family that receives it receives a Christmas Miracle and so the legend has grown over the years with each family hoping that the candle maker will give that candle to them. Only this year, things are about to get a whole lot more complicated and a new pastor is about to come to the church. Will the miracles continue or has it been merely a legend after all?

This is just one of the heart-warming stories you will find along with some tidbits of wonderful Christmas quotes and scriptures from the Bible. If you're looking for the perfect way to celebrate the Christmas season or provide a wonderful gift to that hard to shop for person, this is the ideal way to share a little love that will linger long past the Christmas season. A must read and rates a 5 out of 5 stars!For more information on this book, the author and where to pick up a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

Christmas Stories by Max Lucado

You can also find Max Lucado on Facebook by clicking here.

A Simple Amish Christmas

Annie Weaver was 16 going on 17 when she was sent to live with her aunt during her rumschpringe. While most young teens are rebelling at this time, Annie has used hers to become a certified RN working at Mercy Hospital after living with her aunt for past three years. Three years working among the Englisch and three years away from her family. Now that she is seeing Christmas decorations everywhere she turns, she is missing them more and more. When she receives news that her father, Jacob has been in a buggy accident she rushes home to help care for him.

What she doesn't expect is to run into Samuel Yoder. More of a farmer than a real doctor, the Amish community of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania see him as more of a doctor even though he lacks any formal training. He was also the one who feels responsible for Jacob's accident. Had he not been at Samuel's farm helping him decide on which crop to plant next year, he would have never driven his buggy home late at night. Now this is just another burden that falls on Samuel's shoulders. He has already lost his wife and baby during an unexpected blizzard that left them lost and unable to find their way home. It was a day before they were even found.

Annie now struggles with competing with Samuel in helping to care for those in their community. There are those that want Annie to treat them because they are unable to pay for the care they receive from Samuel and with influenza beginning to spread in the community, the Weaver family feels that Annie needs to find a way to work together with Samuel and put aside whatever differences they may have. Yet will love find a way into both of their stubborn hearts as well?



I received A Simple Amish Christmas by Vannetta Chapman compliments of Abingdon Press and Net Galley for my honest review. This is such a perfect story for the Christmas season in letting go of grudges and finding forgiveness and hope amid whatever circumstances we may find ourselves in. The reader is immediately taken in by Annie's gentle way with her patients and her honesty in making sure those she helps understands she isn't a doctor but a nurse practitioner. She struggles with how to maintain her Amish roots while using the talents God has given her to use despite learning the Englisch ways. I rate this one a perfect 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend this one to all my Amish readers!

For more information on this book, the author and where to pick up a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

A Simple Amish Christmas by Vannetta Chapman

Christmas In Sugarcreek

Returning to the setting of the Seasons of Sugarcreek books and being able to catch up with all the characters we have come to love and adore, is where Christmas in Sugarcreek by Shelly Shepard Gray begins. When she finished writing Autumn's Promise, Shelly felt the need to tell Judith Graber's story since she felt it was a character she neglected. Judith needed a man who would love her enough to make her smile and that is what she finds in Ben Knox.

Ben Knox has the reputation of being the bad Amish boy, one who spent his rumspringa finding and capturing the hearts of girls and leaving them behind battered and broken. Even though Judith has always liked him, she isn't about to let her feelings get in the way of common sense. Yet that is all Judith's life has been about, being the girl who is reliable, dependable, one with a great head on her shoulders and very smart. She's the one her parents rely on to help with the household chores, the children and running the family store. Just for once, Judith dreams of doing something just for herself or finding just the right person who will take care of her.

Just when Judith doesn't think things can get any worse, they do. When her brother Caleb is called away from helping Judith with the store to care for her wife who is pregnant with twins, she feels overwhelmed. Her father offers to hire someone to help her out and Ben Knox is just the right person for the job. Will Judith be able to keep her heart and feelings locked deep inside or will Ben be the key to unlock the love she has kept inside? Could this Christmas season bring love and a new life for the unlikeliest pair in Sugarcreek?

I received Christmas in Sugarcreek compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and after falling in love with the characters from Sugarcreek in Shelly's series, I couldn't wait to share Christmas with the Graber family once again. A wonderful story of finding a bit of light and hope inside each of us, if we are but brave enough to seek it. Another award winning book that rates a perfect 5 out of 5 stars! Here's even more information about the book, the author and even a first chapter sneak peek that will capture your heart!

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Christmas In Sugarcreek Avon Inspire (October 25, 2011) by Shelley Shepard Gray



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Since 2000, Shelley Sabga has sold over thirty novels to numerous publishers, including HarperCollins, Harlequin, and Abingdon Press. She has been interviewed by NPR, and her books have been highlighted in numerous publications, including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.



Under the name Shelley Shepard Gray, Shelley writes Amish romances for HarperCollins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire. Her recent novel, The Protector, the final book in her “Families of Honor” series, hit the New York Times List, and her previous novel in the same series, The Survivor, appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Shelley has won the prestigious Holt Medallion for her books, Forgiven and Grace, and her novels have been chosen as Alternate Selections for the Doubleday/Literary Guild Book Club. Her first novel with Avon Inspire, Hidden, was an Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.



Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two children in college, and is an active member of her church. She serves on committees, volunteers in the church office, and currently leads a Bible study group, and she looks forward to the opportunity to continue to write novels that showcase her Christian ideals.



When she’s not writing, Shelley often attends conferences and reader retreats in order to give workshops and publicize her work. She’s attended RWA’s national conference six times, the ACFW conference and Romantic Times Magazine’s annual conference as well as traveled to New Jersey, Birmingham, and Tennessee to attend local conferences.



Check out Shelley's Facebook Fan page





ABOUT THE BOOK

Judith Graber has always been the obedient daughter. When her older brother Josh struggled with his love life, she offered wise counsel. When her younger brother Caleb flirted with the idea of leaving their order, she firmly told him he was wrong. Over the years, she’s watched her younger siblings, helped around the house, and worked in her family’s store during her spare time. Judith feels overworked, overlooked, and underappreciated this holiday season.



But everything changes when her father hires Ben Knox.



Ben Knox is the “bad boy” of Sugarcreek. Though he’s never considered jumping the fence, he’s certainly never tried to be anything close to dutiful. Two years ago he left Sugarcreek under a cloud of shame. Rumors circulated that his rumspringa had been filled with more than the usual harmless explorations.



Now he’s back and working side by side with Judith.

As the chaos of the holiday season threatens to sap all joy, sparks fly between Ben and Judith. But Judith steels herself to ignore her infatuation. The last thing she wants to be is just one more girl who falls under Ben’s spell. Ben, on the other hand, wants Judith to realize there’s more to him than his bad reputation. When he fled Sugarcreek, he was running from a disruptive home life. Now that he’s back, he wants a fresh beginning.

Could this Christmas season bring love and a new life for the unlikeliest pair in Sugarcreek?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Christmas In Sugarcreek, go HERE.

The Door To Far-Myst

Rupert Dullz isn't very happy. His grandmother's coffus is getting worse, school is boring and there's nothing to do on his days off but rake up endless piles of leaves. Everything in Graysland is, well, gray, and every day is just like the one before it, and the one before that.

That is, until a strangely dressed man named Pie O'Sky swoops out of nowhere in his multicolored balloon and offers a special reward to whoever can open his mysterious door. When Rupert succeeds, he's thrilled when Pie O'Sky carries him beyond it to the brilliantly colored land of Far-Myst. Adventure calls, and Rupert discovers a wonderful world full of something he's never heard of before- imagination.

But Far-Myst is in danger, and it may be that only Rupert has the power to save it. Is he the one whose imagination is powerful enough to stop the evil that is destroying the beautiful world beyond the door?

In the magical novel, The Door to Far-Myst by Mike Dicerto, we learn just how dull Rupert's life has been. It seems that everyone does the same thing day after day, which in the lives of the children consist of raking up leaves into piles so that they will be taken to the furnace to be burned to power the city. The parents are much help since reading books and stories have been outlawed and banned, the children have nothing to think about besides school and raking leaves.

Until that fateful day when a brightly colored man enters Graysland from a device that resembles a balloon but is called a bagoon. He poses a challenge to the children that if they can discover a way to open a simple door with a lock, he will take the winner to a magical place called Far-Myst. Yet when Rupert wins the challenge, he soon discovers that he is needed in Far-Myst to stop the evil of a man named Murkus whose goal it is to take away the powers of imagination and plunge Far-Myst into a world of shadows and bad dreams. Will Rupert be able to use his imagination to save the people of Far-Myst or will the land of Far-Myst become a town much like Graysland?

I received this book compliments of Pump Up Your Book Tours for my honest review and have to say, I haven't read one like this since Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or even the musings of Dr. Seuss! The author does such a wonderful job at creating a believable place for kids to get lost in the powers of using their imagination to save the world, something I think is still needed in the world our children now live in. I highly recommend this book for middle school children and up and even younger if parents are looking for something to read to their children at night! This is perfect and rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information on this book, the author and where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

The Door to Far-Myst by Mike Dicerto

You can also find Mike Dicerto on Facebook by clicking here.

The Chick-tionary

Can you define these terms bag hag? Dude Biffle? George Glass? Kryptonite Guy? Well then you need to pick up the handy, "Chick-tionary, From A-Line to Z-Snap, the Words Every Woman Should Know by Anna Lefler! Included in this hot pink paperback are often 450+ terms that every woman has heard but may not know what it means. This prevents you from stumbling over a reply to any of the terms listed above because you don't know what to say, because you have no clue what they are talking about.

To DE-mystify the terms listed above by the Chick-tionary terms in the book are as follows:

Bag Hag - More flattering known as a "purse enthusiast," the bag hag is the woman who tirelessly and annoyingly pursues a state of perfect handbag self-actualization through aggressive acquisition of every "it bag" that comes on the market. A willing slave to the whims of designer supply-and-demand, the bag hag happily announces that her man Silvio at Barneys just bumped her up on the wait list for the new Balenciaga. In contrast, a self-proclaimed bag hag is simple a woman who loves purses, but knows her limitations and is satisfied to worship the objects of her affection from afar.

Dude Biffle - a variation of BFFL (best friend for life), the dude biffle is the male version of the female biffle. Filling the gap between the female friend and the GMF (see also: gay male friend), the dude biffle is someone who, regardless of attractiveness or availability, is never given romantic consideration but rather bypasses any sexual tensions and lands directly in the best friend category.

George Glass - Originally invented by Jan on the Brady Bunch after "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia" won yet another boy's heart. George Glass is now the generic term for an imaginary boyfriend.

Kryptonite Guy - The one man in your life, past or present, against whom your womanly superpowers are useless. No matter how many tough talks your friends give you, no matter how many times you swear him off for good, you are a sitting duck for this guy, again and again.

So as you can see, if any of your teens come home referring to any of these terms you now know precisely just how to answer them. At the very least this book will serve as a delightful reminder that everyone has a skeleton in her closet - right next to her fat pants! I received this book compliments of TLC Book Tours for my honest review and found it very amusing to know there are now terms out there for virtually anything. Be warned, there are some sexually provacative terms in this book, so it is not a book for teens. With that being said, I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars!

For more information on this book, the author and where to pick up a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

The Chick-tionary by Anna Lefler

You can also find more reviews on this book by clicking on the TLC Book Tours Link here.

Long Trail Home

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Long Trail Home Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (November 1, 2011) by Vickie McDonough



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Vickie McDonough is an award-winning author of twenty-four books and novellas. Her books have won the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest, Texas Gold, the ACFW Noble Theme contest, and she has been a multi-year finalist in ACFW’s BOTY/Carol Awards. She was voted Third Favorite Author in the Heartsong Presents Annual Readers Contest in 2009. Vickie is the author of the fun and feisty Texas Boardinghouse Brides series from Barbour Publishing. She has also authored two books in the Texas Trails: A Morgan Family series, in which she partners with Susan Page Davis and Darlene Franklin to write a six-book series that spans fifty years of the Morgan family. Also, next year brings the release of a new series from Guidepost/Summerside: Pioneer Promises, set in 1870s Kansas.



ABOUT THE BOOK

The Long Trail Home is third in a six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896. Although a series, each book can be read on its own.When Riley Morgan returns home after fighting in the War Between the States, he is excited to see his parents and fiancee again. But he soon learns that his parents are dead and the woman he loved is married. He takes a job at the Wilcox School for the blind just to get by. He keeps his heart closed off but a pretty blind woman, Annie, threatens to steal it. When a greedy man tries to close the school, Riley and Annie band together to fight him and fall in love.But when Riley learns the truth about Annie, he packs and prepares to leave the school that has become his home and the woman who has thawed his heart. Will he change his mind and find the love he craves' Or will stubbornness deprive him from the woman he needs' Through painful circumstances, Riley and Annie learn that the loving and sovereign hand of God cannot be thwarted.



If you would like to read the Prologue of Long Trail Home, go HERE.

The Song of Unmaking

We have an author to introduce to you and the kids in your life - young-adult fantasy novelist Dean Barkley Briggs. After losing his wife of 16 years, Dean created a tale his four sons could relate to in their own journey through loss - thus was born The Legends of Karac Tor, a sweeping epic of four brothers enmeshed in the crisis of another world. In God's timing, Briggs remarried Jeanie, who'd lost her husband in an auto accident. Together with her four children, they spend each day grateful for their eight blessings. This series is great for teens and pre-teens.

He was once the greatest champion in the land. Then he disappeared. With Nemesia's defeat, the Barlows have helped turn the tide in the Hidden Lands. But the victory is short-lived. An even greater evil stirs in the north with a fierce new army bent on destruction. As the twins, Gabe and Garret, discover their own special powers, a thin thread of hope emerges: long ago, a fabled king was rescued from death on our world and hidden on Karac Tor. Who is he? Each brother has their part to play. Hadyn must travel north to warn the land rulers, which leaves Ewan with a bitter choice. Will he sacrifice what is most precious to discover whether Corus lives? Even more important, if Corus is alive, can he wake the Sleeping King of legend...before it's too late?

About The Author:

D. Barkley Briggs is an author with a background in radio, public relations, product development, and-for eleven years-pastoring. He and his wife Jeanie, both previously widowed, live in the Midwest along with their eight children. (Yes, we are regularly amazed, too.) Learn more at hiddenlands.net.

My Review:

As I turn the first page past the prologue and start reading, I am immediately taken back to ancient times in another world with gnomes, viks, witches, champions and dare I say an old King from legends long ago! This story bases itself upon the 4 young Barlow Brothers and their father who have somehow come through a portal into this new unforgiving and brutal land. The king of legend must awaken and decide if he shall rule of if Odessa the Vanir who rules over the existing country will rule and he will follow. What of this mysterious Sound machine that threatens all of the world into darkness, and who will stop it before it is completed?

This novel is one in the Legends of Karac Tor series and is a great read by itself! I would recommend that you purchase the first books and read the entire series as at first it took me a while to acclimate to the characters and the story line since it is not the first book in the series. I did love the relationships of the 4 brothers who learn how to come together and take care of each other when times get rough and really bond learning their new gifts as a result of going through the portal to a new time and place. Definitely a gripping story taking you through twists and turns at every page! I loved the book and cannot wait to get the rest of series in the novel to read up on the beginning and the end.

I rate this book on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, a 5 out of 5! Thank you D. Barkley Briggs for creating such a wonderful series and book! I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is a fantasy and mythical lover!I received this book from Glass Roads Public Relations at no charge for my express review only.

Huge Prize Pack Giveaway:

D. Barkley Briggs is offering one of the largest giveaways of Christian Books that I have ever seen on his Facebook page. You can click here for the details of what you need to do to enter this giveaway for a chance to win 48 books from 15 different Christian authors and it's so easy to do. The giveaway will end on November 30, 2011 so make sure you hop on over there and get all the details! You won't want to miss this one!

Proof of Heaven - Giveaway and Review

"Faith is the recognition of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1

Colm Francis Magee had died seven times before his seventh birthday. Cardiac arrest. Not to be mistaken for a heart attack in which clogged arteries prevent blood from reaching the heart and then the muscle withers. There was nothing wrong with Colm's strength of heart. No, Colm Francis Magee's heart simply and inexplicably stopped beating at the most inopportune moments.

And that is the beginning of Mary Curran Hackett's latest novel, Proof of Heaven. Wow! What does a parent do when faced with those overwhelming situations? You do what Cathleen Magee does as a single mom, you do whatever it takes to find the answers to what you son, suddenly with very little warning, has his heart stop beating and dies until they can revive him. After visiting so many doctors and compiling a massive medical file, no one has been able to successfully diagnosis the reason why this happens. Cathleen fears that if she doesn't find an answer soon, one of these times, Colm may never wake up again.

When she is referring to Dr. Gaspar Basu, she immediately notices quite a few things are different about him. For one, he is very young, mid thirties at least, well dressed and above all speaks very little to her but mostly to Colm. He is very tuned in to what he has to say, how he feels before his attacks happen and what he feels upon waking up. He immediately suggests that Colm receive a pacemaker to help keep his heart beating when his body refuses to do so on its own. Confused and bitter after making this suggestion after just a few minutes, Cathleen is doubtful that he knows what he is talking about especially when he has ordered no tests like all the others.

Asking for time to consider this option, she heads to talk to her brother Sean. Being able to offer very little as far as advice goes, Sean suggests that she do it, at least it may help keep him alive and offer a sense of normalcy that neither of them have now. It's only when Colm has another attack that leaves him "dead" for 10 minutes, Cathleen is willing to do whatever it takes to keep him alive, only she's not sure is Colm will have much brain function after being clinically dead that long.

I received this book compliments of TLC Book Tours for my honest review and LOVED it. This book will completely grab the reader by the heart strings and never let go. You are caught between a mother's unconditional love to do whatever it takes to make sure her son doesn't die and Colm's strange notion that he understands more than he can tell his mom. He knows he isn't getting any better and is fearful of what will happen to him "after." Hands down this one rates a 5 out of 5 stars in my personal opinion but a word of caution, once you begin this one, you'll be committed til the very end.

For more information about this book, the author and where you can purchase a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

Proof of Heaven by Mary Curran Hackett

You can also find out more reviews on this book tour by clicking here.

Thanks to the generous folks at TLC Book Tours, they are offering a giveaway copy to one lucky reader of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. Here are your guidelines:

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

2. Be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address. Please No P.O. Boxes.

3. Leave a comment telling me why you would love to win a copy along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

The giveaway will end on November 25th and I will notify the winner at that time.

Katie's Way

After a thwarted romance, Katie Miller starts over by moving to Pleasant Valley and opening a quilt shop. Soon Amish and Englisch turn the store into a lively spot…to the consternation of Caleb Brand, who crafts furniture next door. Then Katie’s sister joins her, to escape rumors of her wild rumspringa, and Katie feels the burden of responsibility for a restless teenager. Even worse, her efforts to bring more people to Main Street arouse resistance among local businesses. When acts of vandalism threaten Katie’s shop, she turns to Caleb for comfort, and their friendship deepens. But will Caleb’s secret past prevent him from embracing a future with Katie? Or will their fragile romance develop the strength to last a lifetime?

My Review:

What a great story of friendship, second chances and faith in this wonderful addition to the Pleasant Valley series. This is the fifth book in the series, but can be read as a stand alone, although after reading this one, I can't wait to go back and read the previous four in the series.

We find a struggle existing between Katie who finds that running a quilt shop will provide her with the outlet she needs at this time in her life while surviving from a loss of the love of a man she had hoped to marry. So she spends her time trying to forget by piecing together the fabrics that will wrap love around those that purchase them and in doing so, lends to healing her broken heart. Meanwhile Caleb isn't too happy with his business neighbor, Katie even though he tries he best to make her feel welcome. Well you can just imagine where this one will go, but the journey along the way makes it worth reading this one.

I received this book compliments of Pump Up Your Book for my honest review and can't wait to pick up the rest in this series by Marta Perry. In doing so, this one rates 5 out of 5 stars. Here's even more about the author and a link to purchase a copy of this book today.

About the author:

A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania, where she still lives, and her own Pennsylvania Dutch roots led Marta Perry to write about the Plain People and their rich heritage in her current novels. The author of more than forty novels, with over five million copies of her books in print, Marta is active in her church and community. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Pennwriters. When she’s not writing, she and her husband enjoy traveling, gardening, and visiting their six beautiful grandchildren.

For more information, visit Marta on the web at www.martaperry.com, on Facebook at Marta Perry Books, and check out her blog at www.booksbymartaperry.blogspot.com.

The Christmas Singing

Mattie Lane is said to be a journey one encounters during the course of the day when anything extraordinary or magical can happen. It's also the pet name for Mattie Eash, bestowed upon her by Gideon Beiler when they were courting. Now whenever she hears it, it makes her cringe with anger, bitterness and extreme sadness.

Gideon broke up with her after Mattie discovered him in the arms of an English girl named Ashley. Gideon said it was for the best and for the last two years, Mattie has attempted to start her life over again. This time with someone who is stable and won't leave her, Sol and if she can just find it in her heart to love him enough to marry him, then her life might be as perfect as it had been with Gideon.

She's been able to start over as the owner/baker of Mattie Cakes, making muffins, cupcakes and homemade custom designed cakes for the people who come into her bakery for a taste of goodness and the love she pours into her cakes. When tragedy strikes the bakery and fire erupts leaving it in a pile of ashes, and Mattie in the hospital, Gideon rushes to her side to ensure that the woman he has spent his whole life loving is safe. He wonders if one day, he'll have the courage to tell her the real reason he called off their engagement but for now he's content just making sure she'll be OK after the fire.

In the latest novel from Cindy Woodsmall, The Christmas Singing, takes us into the mixed up world of Mattie and Gideon. Into the world of love that will never die and remains the perfect ingredient for a Amish Christmas story that will last long after you finish the final page. I received this book compliments of WaterBrook Multnomah for my honest review and found this to be the perfect recipe for a cold, winter's night to warm your heart and give you a blend of Christmas Spirit. This one rates a perfect 5 out of 5 stars! For more information about this book, the author or where to pick up this wonderful book, please click on the links below:

The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall

You can also find Cindy Woodsmall on Facebook by clicking here.

Paper Angels - Giveaway and Review

Kevin Morrell is a forty-three-year-old husband and father who runs a successful design and marketing firm that's crashed into the suffering economy. Attempting to navigate the chaos of the mall at Christmas, Kevin is humbled when he stumbles across The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program. Later his wife insists that he take a paper angel from the tree.

The name on the ornament is that of Thomas Brandt, a fifteen-year-old still reeling from the implosion of his family - from years of verbal abuse from an alcoholic father to a mother who finally left him behind, only to find herself and her children penniless and struggling. The only thing that has allowed Lynn to survive is her faith. Thomas shares that faith, but he also wonders why God has seemingly abandoned them.

This is the bases for the inspired true story told in a fictional account about a man and a boy one December: a man whose life is changed by a simple expression of kindness, and a boy who takes that expression of kindness and shows the true meaning of Christmas in the novel Paper Angels by Jimmy Wayne and Travis Thrasher. I received this book compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review and found myself receiving the most unexpected gift in return. It's a gift that can't be measured in a dollar amount or even exchanged for something better, because it is priceless. Its the gift that God gave us when He provided His son for the ultimate gift of grace and salvation on a beautiful and blessed night so many years ago.

This story will move you in the most unexpected ways. You can see yourself on both sides of the story. You get to feel the pain and loneliness of Thomas when he arrives at school with only the clothes on his back. Rejected by the basketball team since being a new transfer, he is unofficially "benched" til next year. However when a bully from the team, Vic West, finds Thomas' clothes and lack of food something to tease him about in front of the entire school, the tables will be turned in the most unexpected ways. I would rate this story a perfect 5 out of 5 stars and wish everyone could pick up a copy of this book just in time for Christmas, just to see what a difference it would make in everyone's heart. For more information about this book, the authors and where to pick up a copy of this book, click on the links below:

Paper Angels by Jimmy Wayne and Travis Thrasher

To learn more about the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program click here. Jimmy Wayne: Started his Meet Me Halfway campaign in January 2010 to raise awareness for youth who "age out" of the foster care system and face serious life problems such as homelessness and poverty. Please visit www.project.MMH.org to see how you can help.

Thanks to the generous folks at Howard Books, they are offered a gift in the form of a giveaway copy of this book to one lucky follower of my blog. Here are your guidelines to enter:

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

2. Tell everyone you know about this, Tweet It, Blog About It, Link It, even Facebook it. The more that learn about this book, the better we'll all be in the end.

3. Be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address and remember No P.O. Boxes please.

4. Leave me a comment, telling me what winning this copy would mean to you along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

The giveaway will end on November 30th and I will notify the winner at that time via email. In addition, a copy of this book will be provided to a homeless shelter in hopes that it will bless the lives of those that read it.