Litfuse Kindle Giveaway/ J.A. Marx

I read “Destiny Defied” by J.A. Marx and it is aaaammmmaaaazzzziiiinnnnggg, truly!! Be sure not to miss this one! I will have my review of the book posted on December Third. :)

(Oh and please don’t forget to enter my give-away too!! Go HERE to enter!)

 

And now, info on the Destiny Defied giveaway:

 

 

 

Welcome to the series launch of J.A. Marx‘s Destiny series. Book one, Destiny Defied, is a chilling tale of freedom from oppression and the Light that overcomes the dark.


J.A. is celebrating the launch of her series with a Kindle giveaway and a Facebook author chat party on December 2. 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Destiny Defied by J.A. Marx.

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 12/2. Winner will be announced at the Destiny Defied Facebook author chat party on December 2nd. RSVP for a chance to connect with J.A. Marx, to chat about the book, as well as to win some great prizes!

{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 2nd!

I’ve made it this far – 300th

 

Hello! And thanks for stopping by to read this 300th post! I know, seems kind of crazy.
I have been pondering for a while how to properly “celebrate” this milestone in my blogging journey. After much thought, desire, and help/support from my Mum, we have decided to hold this blog’s first self-held giveaway! I’m pretty excited! I know I have hosted a couple other giveaways, but never before have I been the one to “create” one, if that makes sense.  Before I reveal more on that note, here is a statistic. ;)

 

I decided to  share how many book reviews you have endured over the years. As far as I can figure, it’s only been approximately 43 book reviews! And then maybe a handful of product reviews, too. :) Thankfully, I have read more books than I have reviewed…that would be terrifying that I only read 43 books over the course of this blog. Mortifying, really. ;)

I am blessed to have made it to so many posts – truly. I’ve greatly enjoyed this blogging journey, with its ups and downs, and posting and not posting. ^.^ And I am even more blessed to have YOU as my readers. So, thank you!!!

 

Without further ado, I present to you, God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae’s first give-away!!

 

As you know, I love books, and notebooks, and paper, and writing. So, I decided to kind of ‘theme’ that in this give-away. So, one winner will receive the following:

• A 7″ x 5″ notepad
• A Silver glammer-y pencil
• A silver ribbon pendant necklace

 

The ways to enter are simple:

Mandatory entry: Be a follower (subscriber) to this blog and leave a comment telling me that you are. (Make sure you put your email in the ’email’ section of the comment, so I can contact you if you win)

Optional: Share about this give-away, and tell me you’ve done so, and how, in a comment. (You can use either the image w/ Toothless and the date info on it to share, or the picture of what is being given away. Just include a link back to this post!)

That’s all! Simple, like I said.

Unfortunately, I can only offer this to those in the U.S.A.  because funds are tight – I apologize greatly for my international readers; I am still so appreciative of you!!

This give-away will run from now (November 17th) till December 1st (a Monday). I will pick the winner on the 1st, posting the winner’s name, as well as emailing them directly.

As I said, it is optional to share about this give-away, but I would really appreciate it, and it will give you an extra entry. :)

Again, thank you for reading this blog!! You’re a blessing. :)

 

(Note, don’t forget to enter the give-away posted previously for Alicia Ruggieri’s book “Fragrance of Geraniums”!)

 

“The Fragrance of Geraniums” by Alicia G. Ruggieri Release and Giveaway!

Today is the day! Alicia Roque Ruggieri’s book, “The Fragrance of Geraniums” releases to us blessed people! And she’s hosting a give-away in celebration of it – which I am so honoured to be sharing with you as well.
Below you will find the cover of the book, the description, and last but not the least the rafflecoptor where you can enter to win your very own copy of this lovely book. I can’t wait to receive my copy and begin reading!
This give-away runs from now (11/13) till 11/26 and is on several blogs as we celebrate this lovely release!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P4PB7W6/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

Told from multiple perspectives, this is a powerful story of three women – of the threads of mercy that connect them – and of heart-wrenching sorrows alchemized by the Heavenly Father’s overwhelming redeeming grace.

Rhode Island – 1934

A GIRL
Grace Picoletti has nothing going for her – but she’s determined to succeed in life, nonetheless. Born to severe destitution, she claws her way up from the pit of family shame and secrets. She avoids close friendships – even with the likable, persistent Paulie Giorgi…

A WOMAN
Despite her own agonizing emotional pain, childless Emmeline Kinner reaches out to a young woman so far beneath her. She could never have known whom else God would set in her path through her friendship with Grace…

A MOTHER
Long ago, Sarah Picoletti resigned herself to a loveless, abusive life – and she believes that her daughter Grace must inherit the same fate. Yet Sarah’s own soul cries out for the blessed peace and hope of which the radio minister speaks…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Because I am either a bit unsure as to how to make the rafflecoptor show up besides just a link, or else it is the blog format, or the blog/computers fault, if you wish to enter, you will need to click the link to go enter. Sorry about that. But it is worth it, because the book looks and sounds fabulous!)

Enjoy! And don’t forget to stop by the author’s blog and Facebook to follow her:

A Brighter Destiny

Alicia G. Ruggieri FaceBook

A fourth-generation New England native, Alicia G. Ruggieri writes stories about the possibility of redemption for all things through the Cross and the cost of true mercy. With a degree in Communications and History, Alicia loves spending her days researching, writing, and caring for her family, and she avows that every life would be enriched through the addition of just one more dog.

BookLook Book Review: “The Princess Spy” by Melanie Dickerson

http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Spy-Melanie-Dickerson/dp/0310730988/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1415835601&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Princess+Spy

“The Princess Spy” by Melanie Dickerson
Review source: BookLook Bloggers
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

About the Book:

Margaretha has always been a romantic, and hopes her newest suitor, Lord Claybrook, is destined to be her one true love. But then an injured man is brought to Hagenheim Castle, claiming to be an English lord who was attacked by Claybrook and left for dead. And only Margaretha—one of the few who speaks his language—understands the wild story.

Margaretha finds herself unable to pass Colin’s message along to her father, the duke, and convinces herself “Lord Colin” is just an addled stranger. Then Colin retrieves an heirloom she lost in a well, and asks her to spy on Claybrook as repayment. Margaretha knows she could never be a spy—not only is she unable to keep anything secret, she’s sure Colin is completely wrong about her potential betrothed. Though when Margaretha overhears Claybrook one day, she discovers her romantic notions may have been clouding her judgment about not only Colin but Claybrook as well. It is up to her to save her father and Hagenheim itself from Claybrook’s wicked plot.

My Review:

I haven’t read any of Miss Dickerson’s books previously, though I wanted to, and so when I saw this book available to be reviewed, I jumped at the possibility. It was very good, and I will most definitely continue to read books by this author.
“The Princess Spy” has a light, fairy-tale feel to it, without the magic, and most importantly, with faith as a big aspect, which I really liked. This is a book I would allow my younger sister (and future children of my own one day) to read at the right age.
From what I gathered, this book was a sort of retelling of The Frog Prince. There wasn’t a whole lot that gave clues to that, but I also am not overly familiar with that fairy tale to begin with.
The characters were fun, and likeable (except for the unlikeable ones – the bad ones!), and reading about Margaretha and Colin’s journey was enjoyable. I liked the little boy they found later on, too – he added goodness to the tale as well.
The only thing I would have liked is just a little more God-oriented moments. But really, for the most part, that was handled well.
I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good fairy-tale retelling/feel, and enjoys a fun read!

Thank you to the publishers for sending me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.

A new book coming soon….

 

 

 

Alicia Roque Ruggieri, author of “The House of Mercy” which I reviewed here on this blog, has a new book coming out on the 13th of this month!! The title is:

“The Fragrance of Geraniums”

You can go to her blog to find out more about it: A Brighter Destiny

And here are some pictures/pins the author made for this delightful book (I can’t wait to read it!)

 

 

 

 

If you’re interested in learning more about this book, go to this post.

Be sure to keep your eyes open for this book; it’s sure to be good! =)

Book Review: “Finally and Forever” by Robin Jones Gunn

Title: “Finally and Forever”

Series: The Katie Weldon Series, book Four

Author: Robin Jones Gunn

Review copy source: Publishers (Zondervan)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 Stars

 

 

About the book:

What was she thinking?

Katie Weldon wonders if she was crazy to spontaneously fly off to Africa on a mission trip. Suddenly she is dealing with a new culture, a world she’s never experienced—and Eli, a friend who is quickly becoming much more. It’s all overwhelming … and exciting. As her life turns topsy-turvy, however, she begins to think this might be exactly what she needs. Here, God might give her a glimpse into His will for her life. But just as Kenya and its people find a place in her heart, and her relationship with Eli begins to get serious, Katie is faced with unanswered questions from her past and unresolved issues with Eli. Is she really headed down the same path into the future he is? It doesn’t look like it. Why can’t she finally and forever settle into a set direction? Living in this new and captivating place, one thing she knows for sure: anything might be possible.

Finally and Forever is the final book in the Katie Weldon Series.

 

My Review:

 

Well, at first it felt like any other Robin Jones Gunn book, and followed suit of the previous books in the series – I figured any R.J.G. fans would easily love this book – and with the writing that is still the case. You can tell it is an R.J. Gunn book, and I think I would have enjoyed that more a few years ago when I was younger and avidly reading her books. :)

There was just much that I did not care for in this book. As the book progressed, I felt more and more that it wasn’t just ‘not my style’, it was starting to be the kind of book that could make others stumble. However, I will also keep in mind that God can use any book in any way He wants to touch the reader.

There were good parts, but I also think there were incorrect lessons/information as well.

I liked that Katie (main character) learned to praise God in every situation – that really is so true, and a great lesson.

However, I was really disappointed with how concerned she was that she couldn’t have what she wanted – she didn’t care that Eli didn’t want the same thing. The big impression I got from her was that she was head-strong, or, strong-willed, and seemed to only  want what suited her (I even noticed this in the small things. For instance, Eli bought her a coffee with the last amount of money he had, and just asked for the last couple sips, since he couldn’t get his own – Katie not only didn’t seem to care that he bought her the coffee with the last of the money he had with him, but she didn’t want to give him the last sip because that’s the best part – I know it was said that they were teasing, but it is still little things like that that are noticeable), and another big part was that she didn’t want to compromise her dreams and wishes.  I know she and Eli weren’t married, just a couple, but still, God calls us to serve. No matter what. To be selfless, and I didn’t see that change of heart in Katie, which made me sad.

Also, ‘follow your heart’ was promoted in the book, which I disagree with. For “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). We must only follow God. He will guide us and lead us on the right path.  He knows. And that is a comfort. I don’t have to know – because He already does, and He will show me. “Ask and you shall receive”. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” I just really want to see that in books – see His ultimate control, and the characters growing in that.

I liked the Africa being the ‘landscape’ and learning more a bit about that, and there were some good parts that will stay with me. And I am trying to think of Katie as just in the learning process. We all are in a learning process, just on different spots on the road.

I encourage you to pray before, during and after this book to seek His truths on the matter.

Upon finishing this book, I admit that  I was really disappointed. But we also have to learn to take the good and toss out the bad  – so that is what I have done. Or at least, what I am trying to do. :) Katie was flawed, just as we are, and maybe I just saw it more than I expected. I just wish we could have also experienced her healing more.

 

Thank you the publishers for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest review which I have given.