Tangled Ashes by Michele Phoenix

My Thoughts:

Tangled Ashes is a compelling work of fiction based on actual history.  World War II, Nazis, and gorgeous Meunier manor in Lamorlaye, France that holds a secret.  I was captivated by the story of two young ladies trying to survive the war.  After they gain employment at Meunier manor, medical equipment and pregnant women begin arriving.  Slowly the pieces fall into place and the girls are horrified at what they discover.  What they saw and experienced will both intrigue you and haunt you.  The book begins in present day with architect Marshall Becker.  He's angry, difficult and tortured by his past.  He's not easy to like but give him time to tell his story.  Marshall is hired to renovate Meunier manor and thus begins the twisting of past and present.  Taking turns between the time periods I was swept away to World War II.  There are mysterious characters, love interests and questions that demand answers.  Tangled Ashes is a story that will keep you reading late into the night.  The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger and so I hope there will be a sequel in the future.

About the author:   Michele Phoenix - Born in France to an American mother and a Canadian father, Michele Phoenix is an international writer with multi-cultural sensitivities. A graduate of Wheaton College, she taught writing, music, and theater at the boarding school for missionaries' children she attended as a teenager. She currently works for Global Outreach Mission as an advocate for Third Culture Kids, helping them transition back into North American culture and educating stateside churches and missions about the special needs of this people group.

*I was given a copy of Tangled Ashes from Handlebar Marketing in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

Georgia Races, Surgery Faces, and Justin Bieber Dances

Wow.

To say the last few weeks have been a whirlwind is an understatement.

We are now home and there truly is no place like it.

I'm not photogenic, but I wanted you to see that I'm still "me".:)  My winker is still not winking correctly and my smile is wonky, but thank the Lord I'm here.  

Last week we were able to travel with my husband to Georgia.   The 10+ hour drive included a wicked rain storm complete with tornado warnings.  Even so, I'm so glad my sweetie asked us to join him.

Thanks to my trusty phone and cute little navigators we were able to locate Starbucks, TJ Maxx, the American Girl store and Pottery Barn Kids.

Katie has put this room on her Wish List.:)

She also loves this kitchen.  So darling.  Love that she's not too grown-up for it yet.

I feel the same way, Cutie!

My parents even drove 8 hours to join us!  We were thrilled that they were willing to make the long trip.  Even more so, when Ruby started coughing...  terribly.

She sounded so horrible that the girls and I ventured out at 6:30 AM to locate a vet.  After saying a quick prayer, God sent us to the sweetest clinic.  Turns out Ruby is in heart failure, has a collapsed trachea (common in Pugs) and may be experiencing early kidney failure.  My Mom being there was a godsend.  We were all a mess.

Thankfully, Ruby survived the trip home and is now on some wonderful medications.  Praying she stays with us as long as she can.  She's one in a million and we adore her.

Meanwhile, my husband was at work.  The business trip included passes to the Petit Le Mans at the Atlanta Speedway!  After taking such care of me throughout my surgery he certainly deserved some fun.:)  My sweetie and my Dad had the best time.  They were VIPs for the day and even had a personal chef.  Nice.  Heard McDreamy was racing that day, too.;)

Crazy fun.

It made me so happy to see them happy!

See why I love this girl so much?  Love her smushy face, curly tail and sweet disposition.

Last week also included a trip to my surgeon.  Had a needle poked in my neck- twice.  The numbness in my face/neck didn't cover these areas.  Wheeee!

He told me that my facial weakness is more than most people have but that he truly believed everything would get back to normal- in time.  So thankful!

After my appointment we hit the mall and also had a fabulous lunch al fresco.  Happy days are here again- just around the corner.:)

This weekend was the BIG ONE.  The one that I've been waiting for for 5 months.  I've been bursting with a SECRET!

But first, we had to go shooting.  Yes, I even had a turn.;)

WE HAD TICKETS TO SEE JUSTIN BIEBER!  My sweet sister, Lindsay, had the creative idea of using a puzzle to tell the girls.  So, I mixed up the letters to- "tonight", "Bieber", and then "concert".  It was so fun to watch their "lightbulbs" turn on!

Bieber Fever.:)  We've got it! (my husband thinks he's a good kid and puts up with all the craziness.  Love you, Sweetie!)

The concert was Rad. Sick. Like Nothing I've Ever Seen Before.  My husband even said it was awesome.  

I've asked for tickets for my birthday.  Don't hate. Just help me find some in Little Rock, Memphis or Tulsa.  Pretty Please.:)

The girls and I so want to go again.  It's like the ultimate aerobic workout- with fireworks and confetti.  Crazy, I tell you!

Katie keeps saying she can't believe she got to see Justin.  She screamed, cried, and sang.  Me- I almost had to leave due to all the lights and sound.  I was starting to hyperventilate!  Then, I recovered and had the best time.

He comes in flying with wings! (below pic.)  The beginning of the show is intense, in a great way.  Don't want to ruin it for you, just in case you are going.:)

Believe.

Haunted Houses- Yes or No?

It's almost that time again.

We're hosting an evening of trick or treating/sleepover and I'm on the quest for crisp, sweet apples for Caramel Apples.  One of my favorite treats.  My caramel apple will be covered in mini Reese's Pieces which is crazy delicious.  (You can also use mini M&M's, but they are nowhere as good as ET food.)

Once again I will avoid haunted houses at all costs.

Do you go through them?

I went one time but ended up trying to make friends with the people that were there.  Being new besties and all, it made things a bit less awkward when I grabbed their hands and held on for dear life later in the evening.  (Not the scary people! The innocent victims.)  

The monsters always target me.  

I swear they can smell fear.

At the Feet of Jesus by Joanna Weaver

My Thoughts:

At the Feet of Jesus is a 365 day devotional that can be started at any point during the year.  I began reading at the beginning of October and was immediately impressed.  Joanna Weaver covers issues that I personally encounter daily (a jealous mind, true humility, unfairness, etc.) and clearly ties them to God's word in a way that's enjoyable to read and easy to understand.  The book is exactly what I look for in a devotional- entertaining (through the use of the author's personal stories), it cover issues that I can relate to, plus it makes me think long after I've read the words.

You were made for more than serving God; you were made to know Him.

Intimacy with God—to know Him and be known by Him. It is what our hearts desperately need, but somehow life conspires to keep us busy and distracted.

For anyone who struggles when it comes to daily devotions, At the Feet of Jesus extends an irresistible invitation to set aside your duties and find the amazing peace and incredible joy that come from time alone with Him. Drawn from Joanna Weaver’s beloved Bethany trilogy, each reading in this 365-day devotional includes a Bible reading passage and reflection question. All-new material and “Going Deeper” sidebars are also woven throughout.

Discover for yourself the riches that come from spending a portion of each day alone with God. At the feet of Jesus—where true life begins!

Includes a unique One-Year Bible Reading Guide.

Order a copy here.


Celebrate the release of At the Feet of Jesus with Joanna Weaver by entering to win an iPad and RSVPing for the "True Life" Webcast Event on 11/8!




One blessed winner will receive:

• An iPad


• The Year in Bethany Trilogy (Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, Having a Mary Spirit and Lazarus Awakening 


• At the Feet of Jesus for YOU and Five of your friends.

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 7th. Winner will be announced at the "True Life" Live Webcast Event on November 8th. Connect with author Joanna Weaver and her special guest for an evening of encouragement, laughter and a Q&A! There will also be gift certificates and books given away to participants.

So grab your copy of At the Feet of Jesus (or one of Joanna's other books) and join Joanna on evening of November 8th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books - 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 8th!

*I was given a copy of At the Feet of Jesus from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.  No other compensation was received.*

Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson

My Thoughts:

I'm always amazed at how some authors can truly get into the mind of their characters.  Melanie Dobson has this wonderful gift and she treats her readers to romance and adventure combined with a bit of history in Where the Trail Ends.  This is her second book that I've read (Love Finds You in Macinack Island is the other one) and I've been swept away both times!  It was exciting traveling the Oregon Trail with Samantha Waldron.  It was a grueling trip and one that I never would have survived.  I'm sure I would have been grumbling all the way!  Perhaps,  if Lord Alexander Clarke were waiting for me at the end of my journey I would have been willing to suffer the hardships?:)

{MORE ABOUT WHERE THE TRAIL ENDS}

A young woman traveling the Oregon Trail in 1842 must rely on a stranger to bring her to safety. But whom can she trust with her heart?

For two thousand miles along the trail to Oregon Country, Samantha Waldron and her family must overcome tremendous challenges to reach the Willamette Valley before winter. Together they weather autumn storms, hunger and thirst, and the dangers of a wild and unfamiliar country. But when their canoe capsizes on the Columbia River, they must rely on handsome British exporter Alexander Clarke to rescue them from the icy water.

Alex escorts Samantha and her young brother, Micah, to Fort Vancouver. There Samantha is overwhelmed with men vying for her affections, but the only one who intrigues her-Alex-is the one she cannot have. When his betrothed arrives unexpectedly from England to escort him home, Samantha becomes determined to create a home for herself and Micah in the fertile valley far away from the fort. But how will an unmarried woman support herself and her brother in the wilderness alone? Then Micah disappears into the wilderness one rainy night, and Samantha must rely on the man she loves-the man she’s trying desperately to forget-to rescue her brother before it’s too late.

Order a copy here.

{MORE ABOUT MELANIE DOBSON}

Melanie Dobson has written ten contemporary and historical novels including five releases in Summerside’s Love Finds You series. In 2011, two of her releases won Carol Awards: Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa (for historical romance) and The Silent Order (for romantic suspense).

Prior to her writing career, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and a publicist for The Family Channel. She later launched her own public relations company and worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for more than fifteen years.

Melanie and her family enjoy their home in the Pacific Northwest. The entire Dobson family loves to travel and hike in both the mountains and along the cliffs above the Pacific.

When Melanie isn’t writing or playing with her family, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.

Find out more about Melanie at http://www.melaniedobs

Celebrate with Melanie by entering to win a Kindle Fire!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire


• Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson


• Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 17th. Winner will be announced at the American Tapestries Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/18. Connect with authors Melanie Dobson and Janice Thompson for an evening of book chat, trivia and fun! There will also be gift certificates, books, and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!





So grab your copy of Where the Trail Ends and  Queen of the Waves and join Melanie Dobson and Janice Thompson on the evening of the October 18th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books - 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 18th!

*I was given a copy of Where the Trail Ends by Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson

My Thoughts:

I'm a huge fan of books that involve the Titanic and Queen of the Waves is no exception.  What makes this book unique are the two young ladies the book is centered around- they are both desperate to change their lives.  It's a delightful reversal of roles but there is no guarantee that things will end well.  I loved reading about the plight of Jacqueline (being forced to marry a man she doesn't love) but the lady I really longed to get to know was Tessa Bowen.  Tessa lives a life of poverty and abuse and I was so anxious for her to get her happy ending.  

Queen of the Waves engages you at the very beginning but I felt that the ending dragged on a bit.  It's a lovely historical romance but the heavy focus on history in the second half of the book caused me to occasionally lose interest.  I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars.

{MORE ABOUT QUEEN OF THE WAVES}

When pampered Jacqueline Abington secretly elopes with the family gardener, she asks another woman to take her place on the much anticipated maiden voyage of the Titanic. Tessa Bowen hails from a poor corner of London but has been granted the opportunity of a lifetime—a ticket to sail to America aboard a famed vessel. But there’s a catch: she must assume Jacqueline’s identity. For the first time in her life, Tessa stays in luxurious quarters, dresses in elegant gowns, and dines with prestigious people. Then a wealthy American man takes an interest in her, and Tessa struggles to keep up the ruse as she begins falling for him. When tragedy strikes, the game is up, and two women’s lives are forever changed.

Order a copy here.

{MORE ABOUT JANICE THOMPSON}

Award-winning author Janice Thompson, who also writes under the name Janice Hanna, has published nearly eighty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more.

She formerly served as vice president of the Christian Authors Network and was named the 2008 Mentor of the Year by the American Christian Fiction Writers.

Thompson lives in Spring, Texas, near her four grown daughters and young grandchildren. She leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends and two mischievous dachshunds.

Readers can keep up with Janice Thompson by visiting janiceathompson.com, becoming a fan on Facebook or following her Twitter.

Find out more about Janice at http://janicethompson.com.

Celebrate with Janice by entering to win a Kindle Fire!

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One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire


• Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson


• Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 17th. Winner will be announced at the American Tapestries Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/18. Connect with authors Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson for an evening of book chat, trivia and fun! There will also be gift certificates, books, and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Queen of the Waves and Where the Trail Ends and join Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson on the evening of the October 18th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books – 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 18th!

*I was given a copy of Queen of the Waves from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*