Blue Skies Tomorrow

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.

To be honest, I really struggled getting into this book. I think it was me, not the book/story line. The story is written very well. However, having just finished Mugabe and the White African while being 8 weeks pregnant, I think I need something fun and upbeat. This is a great love story but it is more dramatic and covers some tough subject matter: war, the causes of Helen's underlying pain, etc. This really caused me to struggle. I think under other circumstances, I would have truly enjoyed this book. I plan on re-reading it when I feel less emotionally drained. I enjoyed this author's style and creativity. I will read more of her in the future. 

About the book:

Lt. Raymond Novak prefers the pulpit to the cockpit, but at least his stateside job training B-17 pilots allows him the luxury of a personal life. As he courts Helen Carlisle, a young war widow and mother who conceals her pain under a frenzy of volunteer work, the sparks of their romance set a fire that flings them both into peril. After Ray leaves to fly a combat mission at the peak of the air war over Europe, Helen takes a job in a dangerous munitions yard and confronts an even graver menace in her own home. Will they find the courage to face their challenges? And can their young love survive until blue skies return?

Want more? Read the press release.

About Sarah:

Sarah Sundin received the 2011 Writer of the Year Award from the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, and her second novel A Memory Between Us is a finalist for an Inspirational Readers' Choice Award. Her stories are inspired by her great-uncle who flew with the U.S. Eighth Air Force in England during World War II. 

Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.  Visit with Sarah online at www.sarahsundin.com.

Link to buy the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Skies-Tomorrow-Novel-Wings/dp/0800734238/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310054631&sr=sprightly-20

About the contest:To celebrate the release of Blue Skies Tomorrow, the final installment of the Wings of Glory series, Sarah is giving one lucky winner A Vintage Kindle Prize Package!  Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One winner will receive:

* Kindle with Wi-Fi * Handmade vintage apron for you and a friend (see a photo here) * Blue Skies Tomorrow (for Kindle)

To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, giveaway ends on 9/10. Winner will be announced on 9/12 at Sarah Sundin's blog. Details and official rules can be found when entering the contest.

To celebrate the release of Blue Skies Tomorrow, the final installment of the Wings of Glory series, Sarah is giving one lucky winner A Vintage Kindle Prize Package! 

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One winner will receive:

* Kindle with Wi-Fi

* Handmade vintage apron for you and a friend (see a photo here)

* Blue Skies Tomorrow (for Kindle)

To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, giveaway ends on 9/10. Winner will be announced on 9/12 at Sarah Sundin's blog. Details and official rules can be found when entering the contest.

Blog Tour Schedule

Mugabe and the White African

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.

Wow. This is one hard book to read. My heart is heavy and hurting for the country of Zimbabwe. I was there in 1994, just traveling through on my way to Mozambique. I had no idea what was going on there. Honestly, I don't think I realized until I read this book that Zimbabwe was the mess that it is. I am horrified by the blatant lack of respect for human life or even their own country exhibited by those in power. I'm sure that is naive on my part. It is beyond my realm of comprehension to hear of national leaders systematically destroying their country just to obtain and maintain power. I feel frustrated and hopeless for them. I am just in awe of Ben Freeth and his family. They stay and fight for their country no matter what their country does to them. They think clearly in a time where clear thought has fled their nation. I wouldn't know what to do or where to start but they reach for the stars no matter what. The Lord has not abandoned them and he has given me great insight in how to pray not only for Zimbabwe but the nation of Africa as a whole. I highly recommend this book. If for no other reason than this evil needs to be brought to light. We need to not be ignorant of what is going on world wide and what our brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering through. 

This family has opened my eyes to the meaning and power of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,  as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

About Mugabe and the White African:

Ben Freeth has an extraordinary story to tell. Like that of many white farmers, his family's land was "reclaimed" for redistribution by Mugabe's government.

But Ben's family fought back. Appealing to international law, they instigated a suit against Mugabe's government in the SADC, the Southern African equivalent of NATO. The case was deferred time and again while Mugabe's men pulled strings. But after Freeth and his parents-in-law were abducted and beaten within inches of death in 2008, the SADC deemed any further delay to be an obstruction of justice. The case was heard, and was successful on all counts.

But the story doesn't end there. In 2009 the family farm was burned to the ground. The fight for justice in Zimbabwe is far from over--this book is for anyone who wants to see into the heart of one of today's hardest places and how human dignity flourishes even in the most adverse circumstances.

Read the press release for more: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs019/1101807863309/archive/1106690411054.html

The PBS debut of Mugabe and the White African, the award-winning documentary of the same name, was on July 26. Watch now at PBS: http://www.pbs.org/pov/mugabe/.

Link to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/Mugabe-White-African-Ben-Freeth/dp/0745955460/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310054013&sr=sprightly-20

About the Ben Freeth:

Ben Freeth, MBE, is a British-born Zimbabwean farmer. He has lived in Zimbabwe most of his life and is raising his three young children there, together with his wife Laura. Ben's story has already been the subject of an award-winning documentary which won Best Documentary 2009 (British Independent Film Awards), was nominated for the BAFTA Outstanding Debut Film 2010, and shortlisted for an Oscar in 2010.

Blog Tour Schedule

So This Is Happening

Too Blessed To Be Stressed

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not always a huge fan of the lighter, devotional type books. I have a tendency to lean more towards your C.S. Lewis, Beth Moore, G.K. Chesterton, etc books. I found myself pleasantly surprised by this book. I laughed out loud and found myself really pondering the questions at the end of each section. The book is split into four sections: Time Management, Develop a Sense of Humor, Cultivate Relationships, Focus on Faith. Each section is lighthearted with an excellent point and something to chew on. This is a book I would recommend for any busy women who needs some help to refocus her heart and mind but doesn't have a lot of time.  

About the book:

Do your to do lists have footnotes? Has your fam suggested a rabies shot because your bite has surpassed Rover’s?

Maybe it’s time for a healthy dose of truth gift-wrapped in humor. With her own offbeat brand of wit and near-wisdom, inspirational humorist Debora Coty addresses the heart-needs of desperate women drowning in the churning everyday stress-pool of busyness.

In Too Blessed to Be Stressed, you’ll find simple, practical steps for attaining the peace that you crave as you struggle with the stresses of finances, health, career, relationships, self-image and family. You’ll discover healing, refreshment, and revitalization for your own spirit, body and mind through heart-changing real life stories, biblically based insights, and short chapters for on-the-run convenience.

About Josh and Bob:

Debora M. Coty is a humorist, columnist, speaker, writing workshop instructor and award-winning author of over 100 internationally published articles and ten inspirational books. She has also contributed short stories and devotionals to numerous anthologies. Debora's passion is sharing her offbeat blend of humor and hope, wit and near-wisdom with women of all ages. As a piano teacher for twenty years, she acquired the skill of auditory long-suffering and has helped countless people as an occupational therapist specializing in orthopedics for over three decades. Mother of two grown children, Debora currently lives and loves in central Florida with her husband and desperately wicked pooch, Fenway. 

Link to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/Too-Blessed-Stressed-Inspiration-Stress-Pool/dp/1616263466?ie=UTF8&tag=widgetsamazon-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969

About the giveaway and party: 

To celebrate the release of her latest laugh-out-loud book, Too Blessed to Be Stressed, Debora Coty is hosting the Too Blessed to Be Stressed KINDLE Giveaway!

Too Blessed to be Stressed is a fun-filled read overflowing with insights and practical tips. Perfectly delicious for living happily ever after! 

-Rhonda Rhea, best-selling author of Whatsoever Things Are Lovely

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

Debora has created a “Too Blessed” prize package worth over $150! One grand prize winner will receive:

* A brand new Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Screen

* Too Blessed to Be Stressed by Debora Coty (for KINDLE)

To enter just click one of the icons below. Hurry! The giveaway ends August 25th. Winner will be announced on the evening of the 18th during Debora's De-Stress Facebook Party! Debora will be hosting a "life-preserver" chat (it’s okay if you haven’t read the book – who knows, you might WIN a copy!), testing trivia skills, swapping funny stories, handing out some decom-stress tips, and giving away tons of great stuff! (Chocolate, books, and more!) Hope to see you there. Bring your friends and join the fun on August 25th at 5:00 PM PST (6 PM MDT, 7 PM CDT, & 8 PM EDT).

 

Also - be sure to check out Debora's series of Stress-Buster videos at her website: www.deboracoty.com. Also, be sure to check out the photo caption contest she's running on her blog for a chance to win a copy of Too Blessed to Be Stressed.

Blog tour schedule:  http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13418047).

Marysvale

Thanks to MediaGuests.net for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.

   I absolutely loved this book! I had no idea what to expect. This was a new author and a new publicity group for me. The story is riveting. It captured my attention from the first chapter and kept it the whole way through. I almost couldn't put it down. John Casey is a great main character. I am excited to learn more about him as he continues his adventures. The monsters are a huge mystery and quite a bit scary without being over the top. This was a very fascinating world for me. The story is unique and intriguing. I highly recommend it and look forward to the next installment of this series. 

About the Book: John Casey was ten years old when his mother was murdered…and ten when his father hid the truth from him. Without that knowledge, he has no idea of the enemies that lie in wait.

Now grown up, John lives a solitary life, in a world enslaved by ignorance and superstition, at a time when anyone unusual is treated with distrust and even killed…and John has some very unusual gifts. When he is accused of witchcraft, John does the only thing he’s ever done—Run! That is, until he meets Jane, who lives in the bleak, imprisoned town of Marysvale. Life outside the safety of the town walls means certain death from the brutal monsters that hunt there. However, life inside, under the rule of a tyrannical leader, means no life at all.

As the love between John and Jane grows, the dangers of Marysvale unfold; and for the first time in his life, John discovers that there is something worth dying for.

A fun, clean, action-packed story filled with monsters and tyrants, heroes and heroines.

About the Author Jared Southwick enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures, cuisines, and associated foodborne illnesses. He once went night diving in the Pacific Ocean where, although he didn’t actually see it, he’s sure that a great white shark almost ate him. Jared petted an alligator in the Okefenokee Swamp, and a wild, heavily sedated black bear in her den. He explored the islands of West Africa, where his foot was attacked by a very ferocious, tiny octopus. However, he has never encountered a Brean…

He and his wife live in a quiet, friendly city, in the shadow of the Wasatch Mountains, where strange monster sightings are uncommon.

Visit the Author’s Website

Visit the MediaGuests Tour Page