Winner of The Passionate Brood

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winner of

The Passionate Brood: A Novel of Richard the Lionheart and the Man Who Became Robin Hood

by Margaret Campbell Barnes

Image by Cool Text: Free Graphics Generator

I have emailed Marlene for her mailing info. Thank you to all who entered.

Book Review: Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry

This book is inspiring, in spite of sadness, with a beautiful harmonious message.
Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (September 7, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414319576
• ISBN-13: 978-1414319575

    Genre:  Inspirational
    My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Product Description 

Billy Allman is a hillbilly genius. People in Dogwood, West Virginia, say he was born with a second helping of brains and a gift for playing the mandolin but was cut short on social skills. Though he’d gladly give you the shirt off his back, they were right. Billy longs to use his life as an ode to God, a lyrical, beautiful bluegrass song played with a finely tuned heart. So with spare parts from a lifetime of collecting, he builds a radio station in his own home. People in town laugh. But Billy carries a brutal secret that keeps him from significance and purpose. Things always seem to go wrong for him. However small his life seems, from a different perspective Billy’s song reaches far beyond the hills and hollers he calls home. Malachi is an angel sent to observe Billy. Though it is not his dream assignment, Malachi follows the man and begins to see the bigger picture of how each painful step Billy takes is a note added to a beautiful symphony that will forever change the lives of those who hear it.

Review:  This is an inspirational story and a bit different for me as it is more drama than I usually read.  The writing style is smooth and flows nicely.  Initially the spiritual aspects of the story reminded me of some of C.S. Lewis’ works like The Screwtape Letters.  Then, when a chapter was presented by Billy’s guardian angel, I was reminded of Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkness.

The story is told primarily from the view point of the protagonist, Billy Allman.  However there are some chapters from the view of his guardian angel, Malachai, and I really like this as I love to think that angels are watching over us and fighting demons for us even when we may be unaware of the heavenly battle.

Billy is a simple boy born in the hills of West Virginia to well-grounded Christian parents.  His father worked as a coal miner and played the mandolin as a hobby.  As a young boy Billy sat at his knee and learned to feel and love the country bluegrass music. Billy was a child whiz at taking apart electronics and putting them back together. He had a collection of old radios that he had built.  This was the beginning of Billy’s love for radios and his dream to have his own radio station playing blue grass gospel music and sharing Christian sermons and messages of encouragement.

Billy does not have an easy life and struggles alone for most of his childhood to mid-life.  He survives a flood as a child, and he knows it was by a miracle hand. Unfortunately he sees another neighbor family die and his father is severely injured.  Billy remains rather simple and alone as he grows older. He doesn’t accept help well so he misses some opportunities for help as he slowly puts together his small radio station.   It seems that Billy suffers one heartache after another but the wonderful thing is that he never questions God’s salvation and forgiving love.

It takes another tragedy and near death of a close friend to make Billy start to accept more interaction with others. This results in revealing long held secrets of pain from his past and he is finally able to release some of that pain. Billy relates life to music that swells from our soul and is rich from our experiences, both sorrows and joys.

Here is just one of the many phrases that I think are quite insightful and simply awesome:

Billy’s guardian angel was talking about seeing a bigger picture of life as an angel than humans can see. He observed:  “Humans struggle with the underside of the tapestry, unable to see the beauty in their situation, as they cannot know how the trouble of life fits with The Plan.” This book portrays Billy as a beautiful life committed to God even with the troubles he copes with.

Throughout the book there are simple Biblical statements expressed as well as complex spiritual wisdom. I encourage you to get this book to read for yourself or with a book group. I will be recommending it to my church ladies' book club.
Caution:  The book does address some abuse and rape issues but not with any explicit details.

xxx

I received this book for my honest review from Glass Road Public Relations.

As I was posting this review I pulled the information from Amazon and this book is currently a free Kindle read!!

It's Monday! What are you Reading November 8, 2010?

This meme starts at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I finished three good books this week and just have a bit left on a fourth. I posted two Guest Posts and three Reviews with Giveaways.

As noted before,  for this feature I will only be giving a rating and a short summary comment on books I read from my TBRs or as fillers - which aren't many :).

I hardly got any visiting done this week considering limited internet time at night on our travels.
I still wish I had more time to visit. ***Sigh***

These were last week's posts plus Winner posts not listed.

• It's Monday What are You Reading? November 1, 2010 

•  Blog Tour Announcement for Montana Glory by R.C. Ryan

•  Guest Post Writing Advise for Newbies by Vincent Zandri

•  Book Review of Edge of Sight (The Guardian Angelinos) by Roxanne St. Claire

•  Giveaway of Edge of Sight (The Guardian Angelinos) by Roxanne St. Claire

•  Blog Tour Guest Post by Roxanne St. Claire

•  Audio Book Review and Giveaway of Don't Blink by James Patterson and Howard Roughan
  

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 5, 2010

• Book Review and ARC of Elizabeth, Captive Princess: Two Sisters, One Throne by Margaret Irwin
  

• Sunday Words of Encouragement - I am disappointed I didn't get a post up but we had such a great day Saturday with our boys. I was so tired after dinner and thought I would have time before breakfast to post. But DH decided to hit the road as soon as he got up as we had another 500 mile driving day as we start heading home.  I have been getting some really interesting pictures and hope to get a post together later this week.

• Enquiring Minds want to know Meme - Week10

Finished Reading:
PB:    Elizabeth, Captive Princess: Two Sisters, One Throne by Margaret Irwin. Review and ARC Giveaway link is above. Provided by Sourcebook for review.

PB: Montana Glory

by R.C. Ryan

Another enjoyable, quick read. 

This review gets posted on Wednesday 

along with author Q&A 

and Hachette Giveaway.

AUDIO:  Don't Blink
by James Patterson and Howard Roughan.  
Review and Giveaway link is above.

Line Edits: ------

Currently reading: PB and (Kinlde):  Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry. This book was provided by Glass Road PR for a Blog Tour post on November 9.  Since we are on the road I ended up getting it for the Kindle so I didn't have to bring the book with me. I am 92% completed and this book is WONDERFUL! I will be posting the review on Tuesday.

Product Description Billy Allman is a hillbilly genius. People in Dogwood, West Virginia, say he was born with a second helping of brains and a gift for playing the mandolin but was cut short on social skills. Though he’d gladly give you the shirt off his back, they were right. Billy longs to use his life as an ode to God, a lyrical, beautiful bluegrass song played with a finely tuned heart. So with spare parts from a lifetime of collecting, he builds a radio station in his own home. People in town laugh. But Billy carries a brutal secret that keeps him from significance and purpose. Things always seem to go wrong for him. However small his life seems, from a different perspective Billy’s song reaches far beyond the hills and hollers he calls home. Malachi is an angel sent to observe Billy. Though it is not his dream assignment, Malachi follows the man and begins to see the bigger picture of how each painful step Billy takes is a note added to a beautiful symphony that will forever change the lives of those who hear it.

PB:  Stronger than Sin (Sin 2) by Caridad Pineiro - I just started this tonight for Hachette Blog Tour Review and Giveaway due November 11, 2010.

Product Description

Dr. Liliana Carrera nearly lost her life to Wardwell scientists. She won't let them harm other innocent victims, like her new patient, Jesse Bradford. The former pro athlete had the best hands in the NFL . . . until an injury forced him to undergo Wardwell's experimental gene therapy. Now Jesse's gorgeous body is superhuman-but his strength comes at a price.

With Wardwell threatening his family, Jesse can't tell Liliana all he knows. Yet he can't resist her compassion . . . or her healing, erotic touch. As their passion flares, Jesse's body becomes dangerous and volatile. For evil men are plotting to change the face of humanity-and will destroy whoever stands in their way.

Kindle: The Forever Queen: Sometimes, a desperate kingdom is in need of one great woman by Helen Hollick. I only just started the print book but left it at home. The review is not due until November 18 but the book is 621 pages. I will continue this on Kindle starting tomorrow.

~ Synopsis ~

The year is 1013, and the young Emma of Normandy is to marry King Æthelred of England. It is a marriage as doomed to fail as Æthelred's entire incompetent reign. But Emma is to find her own happiness when Cnut of Denmark seizes the English throne...


Audible:  New Tricks by David Rosenfelt. I really do enjoy listening to the Andy Carpenter books on Audible. I am a little over half completed on this.

Product Description Andy Carpenter gains possession of an adorable Bernese puppy whose owner was brutally murdered. Few can rival Andy's affection for dogs, and he will do whatever it takes to insure that this little pup doesn't fall into the wrong hands. However, his playful new friend is valued by several people, many of whom are willing to resort to violence to get what they want.It will take more than Andy's usual courtroom theatrics to save this dog, including a little help from his beloved Golden Retriever, Tara. Andy soon discovers that anyone around him is in danger, including his longtime girlfriend, Laurie, and he will have to muster all of his wits to save those he holds most dear.

Line Edits:  Still doing some minor changes on formatting wo more books for release. It takes a bit to get them just right and go back and forth with the authors for approval.

Upcoming books:
PB:  Uncertain Heart (Seasons of Redemption, Book 2) by Andrea Boeshaar - hope to post this on November 15th.
Kindle:  Synarchy: Book 1: The Awakening by D.C.S. and Synarchy Book 2: The Ascension by D.C.S. I am scheduled to post these on November16th and 17th.

Enquiring Minds Want to Know Meme Week 10

This meme is hosted by Dollycas Thoughts for Thursdays - which are hard for me to make.  The goal is to get to know our fellow bloggers and visitors better. Each week Dolly asks some questions for us to answer and then link up. I am late doing the post but I am trying to to participate as I would like to learn more about blogger and follower friends.

WEEK 10 QUESTIONS

1. Did you vote on Tuesday?
YES - we had early voting in our county so I voted on Friday October 29 before leaving for vacation.
2.  Where do you get news about what's happening in the world? (Newspapers, Internet, Local Television Stations, Cable News, etc.)
It varies but mostly Internet and Cable News.
3. Do you read in bed before you go to sleep?
Almost always! Sometimes I read a bit of print book but mostly I listen to Kindle or Audiobook on my MP3.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Elizabeth Captive Princess by Margaret Irwin

Here is a book to draw you into Tudor royal intrigue, political and religious struggles.
Elizabeth, Captive Princess: Two Sisters, One Throne by Margaret Irwin.

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark; Reprint edition (October 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402229976
• ISBN-13: 978-1402229978

     Genre: Historical Fiction
     My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
From an acclaimed master of historical fiction, a captivating series that is "vivid and psychologically brilliant."
-Times Literary Supplement, UK
In July 1553, sibling rivalry looms perilous, even life-threatening, between the daughters of King Henry VIII. Their brother King Edward is dead, his successor Lady Jane Grey has been beheaded, and Queen Mary Tudor has just won possession of the throne. But her younger half sister-the beautiful and vivacious Princess Elizabeth-holds the hearts of the people. Despite Mary's health fading fast and her power beginning to crumble, she won't give up the throne, determined to rule to the absolute end as her father did before her. In these treacherous times, when all about her there is secrecy and deception, Elizabeth must rely on her faith and courage if she is to survive her ordeal and rise to fulfill her destiny. With grace and elegance, Margaret Irwin continues the story begun in Young Bess, giving readers an intimate peek into the world of that most enigmatic of Britain's monarchs.

Review: The writing in this book grows on you and the history becomes fascinating. I had not read the first book in this series, Young Bess: The Girl Who Would Be Queen (Elizabeth I Trilogy) so I was not familiar with the style of writing.  Although I immediately liked the beautiful flowing imagery, the dialogue is puzzling and difficult to follow at first as the characters speak in riddles or code. This did enhance the sense of fear and distrust that is prevalent in the story and after a bit the writing wrapped me in with the vivid characters.

The author does a wonderful job of portraying the different personalities of the rivals for being Queen upon the death of King Edward in 1553.  Jane, a cousin of King Edward and named successor by Will, is the reluctant, studious child used by others to become Queen and promote the Protestant church. She is manipulated by Duke Dudley, a grasping, vicious man out for political control, but they do not have the support of the people.

Then there is Princess Mary who is the older (age 37) spinster daughter of King Henry VIII.  She has struggled with her health and has never been particularly popular or brave although she has been known to be sweet and kind.  Her surprising bravery and resourcefulness underlay her strong determination to gain and hold the throne.  She is deeply committed to restoring the power of the Roman Catholic Church which has been out of favor since the Protestant faith was fostered by King Henry VIII. Queen Mary struggles with how to deal with her half sister Elizabeth, caught between her admiration for Elizabeth and her fear and jealousy of her. Mary loses the favor of the people when she falls to the counsel of her advisers who encourage her to marry the Prince of Spain.

Of course the star of the book is Princess Elizabeth. She is the lively, ethereal beauty who captures the sympathy and support of the people every time they see her.  She is the true puzzler who hides her feelings and masks her dreams and hopes. She is caught in the middle of all the political and religious battles trying to always say just the right thing to stay neutral and not get trapped with conspirators in accusations of treason. So she speaks in riddles and rhymes and takes to her bed when she can’t cope with reality or when she wants to hide from her enemies.  The author portrays her complex intelligence and emotions in a way that evokes feelings of fear, sadness, respect and wonder for the young lady who would be Queen.

There is intrigue and danger, a touch of romance and lots of jealousy. I really liked how the author manages to weave the political and religious views into Elizabeth’s conversations. I became caught up in the tale by the time the book ended and would like to know what happens in the next book. The reading is not easy but if you like good historical fiction and are willing to work through the riddling dialogue I think you would truly enjoy this book.

This is the ARC cover

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the book to read and review.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC:

1. Tell me which cover you like better, the ARC or the final published cover.
Please leave your e-mail!

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Four total entries possible.)
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on November 22, 2010. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.