Barefoot Summer- Heart Pounding Romance with Heart!

My Thoughts:

Barefoot Summer.  The name itself makes me smile.  Denise Hunter beautifully captures the innocence of youth, the sweet ache of love from afar and the desperate anguish experienced by the loss of a loved one.  This is a delightful and utterly swoon worthy book you'll want to read by the pool, vacationing on the beach or relaxing on your front porch with a cold glass of sweet tea.  Let me tell you why...

#1- The kissing.  Yep, I'm going to say it- there is kissing in this book.  It's a romance!  Denise- Keep writing scenes like in the book- please.  You made me blush in a very, very good way.  My favorite kiss was the night of the dance.;)  (Nothing inappropriate, just some good old fashioned swooning!)

#2- Madison McKinley is the perfect heroine.  She's a veterinarian with a heart of gold.  Her visits to the retirement home are precious- lots of love and laughter with the Kneeling Nanas!

#3- Beckett O'Reilly is the ultimate bad boy turned good.  His past with Madison is heart poundingly romantic!  This guy can make any girl swoon.  (The new Superman- that's how I envision Beckett.;) )

#4- Madison's family is a joy to be around.  Her parents feed their hired hands- even serve them- and her siblings are crazy, good fun.  I want to live on their farm, play HORSE in their driveway and eat corn under the twinkle lights at night.

#5-The town- Chapel Springs is cozy and safe- but never dull.  Coachlight Coffeehouse is the place to hang out and Cappy's has the best pizza.  People always seem to know the current gossip but pray for you- even if you don't think you need it.

#6- The flashbacks.  I love little peeks into the past and Barefoot Summer delivers.  The first time Becket sees Madison at school is straight out of a love song beautiful.  He remembers every detail- sigh...

#7- Michael's dream is Madison's dream.  Madison's twin brother, Michael, always dreamed of winning  the town's annual regatta but tragedy stole the opportunity from him.  It's incredible seeing the lengths that Madison takes to make this dream a reality.

*Barefoot Summer is absolutely delightful.  I can't wait for the next book in the Chapel Springs romance series, Dancing with Fireflies, to come out!*

Barefoot Summer is the first book of Denise Hunter's new Chapel Springs Series. Set in a midwestern river town, this four-book series will feature the close-knit McKinley family. Each of the four adult siblings will be featured in his or her own romance-and let me tell you, the sparks are a-flying!  

In Barefoot Summer, Madison's faith in God-and everyone else-has been on shaky ground since the tragic accident that stole her twin brother's life. When she meets Beckett O'Reilly her walls start coming down, but will the secret that Beckett is keeping from Madison shatter everything they have?  

Meet Denise: 

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Learn more about Denise athttp://www.denisehunterbooks.com

Denise Hunter is celebrating her new Chapel Springs Romance series with a Summer Fun Giveaway. The first book, Barefoot Summer, is already a favorite with readers. “Hold-your-breath romance, heartache, and laugh-out-loud moments. It’s more than a good read. It’s a delight.” -- Lisa
 

Summer: it’s all about sunny skies, star-gazing, swimming, spending time with loved ones, and living as if a small part of the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders.
Get ready for some serious summer fun with Denise’s 12-Day Summer Sun giveaway. From June 10-21, keep your computer near as you head to the lake or your friend’s barbecue because Denise will be giving away a summer essential each day!

*I was given a copy of Barefoot Summer by Litfuse Publications in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

Bloglovin! and a Fun Giveaway!

Oh my goodness!  I just found out that Google reader is ending July 1st. (That's just around the corner!) Soooo, I'm switching over to Bloglovin!  I'd love it if you'd follow me there!  Just click the following link.;) Follow my blog with Bloglovin

My friend, Jennifer, is giving away an awesome HOMESCHOOL PLANNER on her blog!  Stop by and enter HERE!

Afloat by Erin Healy

My Thoughts:

Afloat, written by Erin Healy, is unlike any other book I've read before.  The characters were unusual and intriguing, the setting is beyond unique (apartments that float upon a river!) and secrets are everywhere.  Mysterious lights shine in the water.  Cryptic messages are delivered- "What will come must happen, but you need not be afraid if you open your eyes to see." What?  And are there people existing under the water??  

I was particularly fascinated by Zeke, the blind man,  and his visions that foretell the future.  He and his seeing eye dog, Ziggy, contribute an added dimension of suspense and excitement.  I was immediately sucked into the story by the first paragraph:

"The wet suit and the water are black, and after the man slips into both, he seems to vanish from the world.  He has come on a starless night to avoid being seen, to hide a few containers where they won't be found..." 

I know, right?

Afloat is a delicious combination of mystery, suspense and survival.  I loved not being able to anticipate what was going to happen next.  Perfect for summer vacation!




More About the Book:




Eagle's Talon is an architectural marvel-shining residential units afloat in a protected cove of the gorgeous Rondeau River. The project is nearly complete, partially occupied, and ready to make investors rich when a sinkhole gives way. Then torrential rains and a flood leave a ragged collection of builders, investors, and residents stranded in one floating building, cut off from the rest of the world.

They're bitterly divided over what to do next.
 

Architect Vance Nolan insists they should sit tight and wait for rescue. Developer Tony Dean wants to strike out into the darkness. And single mom Danielle Clement, desperate to protect her young son, Simeon, struggles to hold their motley band together.
 

Power failure, a pall of unnatural daytime darkness, explosions in the distance, then a murder ratchet tensions to a boiling point. But Danielle's young son, Simeon, has spotted something strange underwater-beautiful, shifting lights in the dark water below.
 

In this watery world where everyone's secrets will eventually come to light, salvation may mean more than just getting out alive. 




More About Erin Healy:




Erin Healy is the best-selling co-author of "Burn" and "Kiss" (with Ted Dekker) and an award-winning editor for numerous best-selling authors. She has received wide acclaim for her debut solo novels, "Never Let You Go" and "The Promises She Keeps". 

She and her family live in Colorado. 

Erin can be contactedthrough her website  or through Facebook.


Erin Healy is celebrating the release of her latest novel Afloat (Thomas Nelson) with an iPad Mini giveaway.





One winner will receive:


• An iPad Mini 
  

iTunes gift card

Afloat by Erin Healy 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 15th. Winner will be announced on Erin's blog on June 17th. Save the date and click HERE to see if YOU won the iPad Mini!








Don't miss a moment of the fun; ENTER today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Visit Erin's blog on the 17th!




*I was given a copy of this book from Litfuse Publications in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

June 10 on 10

Yep, the summer heat has arrived.

They even served us bottles of water at the Brighton store today.

Chocolate chip cookies, too.:)

Then, we were off to Backyard Burger for 99 cent Kid's Meals.;)

Chik Fil A was even hydrating the masses today.

FREE iced tea- no purchase necessary!

The gentleman gave me a bit of a hard time since I ordered UNsweet tea.

Afterall, we live in the South, ya'll.:)

I promised the girls snow cones.

Yes, I did.

It was $1 day...

and for that price I wanted one, too!

Wedding Cake and Fairy Floss flavors- who could resist?

The volleyball sand was HOT.

I didn't give a thought to turning on the oven.

Fruits and veggies were on the menu.

Mmmm.....

Cowboy Caviar.

We ate dinner on our back porch.  

Lovely in the evening when things cool off a bit.

Our tomatoes look promising...

and the roses haven't been invaded by Japanese Beetles...

yet.

The Promise Box by Tricia Goyer

My Thoughts:

The Promise Box is the second book in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series by Tricia Goyer.  I was truly excited to review this book as I absolutely loved the first book in the series, The Memory Jar!  The main characters, Lydia and Gideon, live in different worlds and yet they come from the same place.  You see, Lydia was raised Amish but because of a tragic secret from her past she felt compelled to leave her home, as well as her upbringing.  Returning home after her mother's death she meets Gideon, who is also struggling with a tragic secret.  Their attraction is quite evident but the future is unsure due to their differences.  

The Promise Box is a keepsake filled with letters and prayers from Lydia's mother.  It's all that Lydia has left of her and the letters are a treasure indeed. Ada Mae wanted nothing more than for her daughter to return to the Lord and the Amish way of living.  Her words are an example of faith and patience and I loved reading them.  I really wanted to care for Lydia and Gideon, but they fell a bit short for me.  I found Lydia to be wishy washy on many occasions.  For example, she wants to be Amish and then she doesn't, she wanted to be a writer and then she wanted to be a teacher, she wants to focus on the Lord and then she wants to fall in love.  Hmmm....  Gideon has good intentions, but I didn't care for the way that he spent time with Eve (and he knew she cared for him) and then dropped her like a rock when he saw that Lydia cared for him.  Not nice, Gideon.  

The Promise Box is an intriguing peek into the life of the Amish.  It's filled with love, life choices and not allowing your past to control your future.  It was refreshing how the characters turned to the Lord when they were troubled.  I just wish it also contained the depth and beauty of The Memory Jar- one of my favorite books.  

About The Promise Box: With her heart - and her loyalty - on the line, can she let true love in her life? Every year, young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive 'resident' status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides! Lydia Wyse, a book editor from Seattle who grew up Amish, returns to the small community of West Kootenai, Montana to give comfort to her father after her mother's death. She is drawn back to the familiar Amish ways after finding her mother's most precious possession, a Promise Box of prayers and scripture. What her publisher sees, though, is an opportunity for a sensational 'tell-all' book about the Amish. Lydia soon finds herself falling in love with Amish bachelor Gideon Hooley. She wants nothing more than to forget her past and look forward to a future as an Amish bride.  Will the pain of her childhood-and her potential betrayal of her community-keep her from committing her whole heart? Purchase your copy: http://ow.ly/l6QH1 Meet Tricia:  Tricia Goyer is a busy mom of six, grandmother of one, and wife to John. Somewhere around the hustle and bustle of family life, she manages to find the time to write fictional tales delighting and entertaining readers and non-fiction titles offering encouragement and hope. A bestselling author, Tricia has published thirty-three books to date and has written more than 500 articles. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, as well as a Christy and ECPA Award Nominee. In 2010, she was selected as one of the Top 20 Moms to Follow on Twitter by SheKnows.com. Tricia is also on the blogging team at MomLifeToday.com,TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian sites. In addition to her roles as mom, wife and author, Tricia volunteers around her community and mentors teen moms. She is the founder of Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Northwestern Montana, and she currently leads a Teen MOPS Group in Little Rock, AR. Tricia, along with a group of friends, recently launched NotQuiteAmishLiving.com, sharing ideas about simplifying life. She also hosts the weekly radio podcast, Living Inspired.  Learn more about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com. Tricia Goyer is celebrating the release of her lastest novel, The Promise Box (Zondervan), by hosting an Amish Baking Box giveaway and connecting with readers during her June 12th Book Chat Party! One "promising" winner will receive: Apron, hot mitts, and kitchen towels Amish baking items (rolling pin, pie plate, etc...) Sherry Gore's Simply Delicious Amish Cooking The Memory Jar and The Promise Box by Tricia Goyer

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 11th. Winner will be announced at the "The Promise Box" Facebook Author Chat Party on June 12th. Connect with Tricia for an evening of Amish fun - book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Tricia will also share an exclusive look at the next book book in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of The Promise Box and join Tricia on the evening of June 12th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 12th!




*I was given a copy of this book from Litfuse Publications in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

Under the Stairs Club

Summer will be arriving tomorrow.

The weather here has been delightful.  (Minus the tornado warnings- shudder)

Windows open, jackets at night, warm brownies after dinner.

Took a peek at the weather and the heat is heading our way.

Boo.

Unless someone wants to whisk me away to the beach.;)

The girls and I have been visiting the local gardens- sketching, exploring, chatting, taking pictures.

It's amazing how relaxing it is being among all this beauty.

This makes me almost think orange is my favorite color...

Until I see this, and the pink and yellow/green combination blows me away!

There's a sign here that says, "Please, run in the grass."  

Well. OK!

This reminds me of Jeremy Fisher (Beatrix Potter book).

While sitting on a lily pad, he dipped his toe in the water and a fish bit him!

("Jaws" music plays in the background)

You'll never look at a lily pad the same way again.

Pretty chicken.

Yes, they exist!  Looks like God took a bit longer coloring her.:)

The rooster.  So noisy, but look at his colors.

Pretty boy.

See the clouds?

Yeah, they were crazy.

That evening we had a meeting of the Under the Stairs Club.

We even inducted a new member!

More about that later.

Look at the cute little Bumble Bee.

Chubby works for them.;)

Ah, the rush of water...

School is out!

(Except for some children who have a mean homeschooling Mom.)

She makes them spend time outside sketching and socializing!

(Perhaps she's not too bad.)

Did you know that same Mom has a sketchbook?

She was so proud of herself for drawing a picture, until she realized she'd started at the back and her picture was upside down?

Going downhill quickly, dear friends.

Please send chocolate.

4 leaf clovers?

Favorite picture of the day.

Standing in front of the building she drew.

Excellent job!

Secret places all over this place.

You never know what you'll discover!

Precious friends.

They didn't know I took these pictures.

I can be a spy.;)

Tornado warnings late in the evening.

The lightning was insane!

Under the stairs we went.  4 girls- check.  Pillows- check.  Ruby- check.  Snookie- check.  Flashlights- check.  Snacks- check.  Phone- check.  Prayers- double check.

And this is how our evening ended.  The Little Mermaid and then off to my bed, reading.  

Tornado warning recovery is better spent in Mom and Dad's bed.

I slept on the couch.

And I was happy to be safe- in my nest.