Monday, March 28, 2011

Made To Crave

Made to Crave - Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, not Food





Made To Crave
By Lysa TerKeurst

About the book:
Has food become more about frustration than fulfillment? The New York Times Best Selling book Made to Crave is the missing link between a woman’s desire to be healthy and the spiritual empowerment necessary to make that happen. Author Lysa TerKeurst personally understands the battle that women face. In Made to Crave, she will help you:




Break the cycle of “I’ll start again on Monday,” and feel good about yourself today.

Stop agonizing over numbers on the scale and make peace with your body.

Replace rationalization that leads to diet failure with wisdom that leads to victory.

Reach your healthy goals and grow closer to God through the process.

This book is not a how-to manual or the latest, greatest dieting plan. Made to Crave is a helpful companion to use alongside whatever healthy eating approach you choose — a book and Bible study to help you find the “want to” in how to make healthy lifestyle changes.

My Thoughts:
Made to crave - oh yes, aren’t we all. The problem is allowing our cravings to rule our desires.




It was refreshing to read Lysa Terkeurst’s straight forward yet gentle guidance on how people allow the God given ability of craving to morph from God’s intention for humanity to crave after Him into cravings which please the physical body. Lysa mentors every reader through personal struggles on the road to personal successes.



The best thing about this book is the principles outlined can take any reader on a journey to turn any personal struggle, whatever that may be, into a God craving.



Favorite Line:

“Our flesh buys right into Satan’s lie that it’s not fair for things to be withheld from us.”

*I received this book free for review from Zondervan Publishers*

Rating: 5 carats


Visit Lysa TerKeurst's website
Buy the book

Friday, March 25, 2011

Chatting with C.J. Darlington


About C. J. Darlington:
C. J. Darlington won the 2008 Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest with her first novel, Thicker Than Blood. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over twelve years, scouting for stores similar to the ones described in her novels before cofounding her own online bookstore. In 2006 C. J. started the Christian entertainment Web site www.TitleTrakk.com with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. A homeschool graduate, she makes her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats. Visit her website www.cjdarlington.com


1. If Bound By Guilt were a movie, who would you want to play the main characters?




Tonya, you got close to really stumping me on this question! For my main character, Roxi Gold, I would want a young actress who could do justice to her character, but it wouldn't have to be a well-known name. In fact, it might be fun to have an unknown play her. For police officer Abby Dawson I could see Nancy McKeon. Or Maura Tierney. Actually, if I recall correctly, it was her portrayal of another Abby in the TV show ER that inspired me to name a character Abby in my novel. For Jan Mercer all I'd really care about is if she was the right age (early fifties) and could act well.



2. What gave you the idea to write Bound By Guilt?



Several years ago I read a news article about a young man who'd been arrested in California for stealing rare books from various bookstores and re-selling them to other stores for a profit. I asked myself, "What kind of story I can I build around that idea?" For many years I'd also wanted to write about someone who suddenly found themselves with nowhere to go and nothing but the clothes on their back. What would they do? How would they survive? These two ideas propelled the story.



3. What was your favorite and least favorite part of writing Bound By Guilt?



It was difficult, but rewarding, to plot out the ending. I had some head-scratching moments trying to figure out how to get my characters where they needed to be and still remain completely realistic and believable. My favorite moments writing the novel were the rare eureka moments where I know the Lord was prompting me with the answer to a particular scene or character problem I was facing. There was a small twist that's revealed at the end of the novel I did not see coming. Really. It was a complete surprise to me. I love when things like that happen!



4.  What do you hope people take away from Bound By Guilt?



I hope they'd be challenged to look past outward appearances and see people, especially teens, the way God sees them. Love them for who they are with no strings attached. Love them even when they make mistakes. Love truly does cover over a multitude of wrongs.



5. On Pink Sapphire, books are rated by gemstone carats, 5 carats being an awesome books, what are some of your 5 carat choices?



Definitely The Rivers Run Dry by Sibella Giorello. She's become one of my favorite authors writing suspense that's character-driven. A lovely combination. All of Sibella's novels are worthy of 5 carats, but The Rivers Run Dry is my favorite. Though her latest novel The Mountains Bow Down comes close. I also highly recommend James David Jordan's novel Forsaken, and Kathy Tyers' Firebird trilogy that's just being re-released by Marcher Lord Press!



6. What are you currently working on? What is next for you?



I am working on my third novel. I've just finished the rough draft and actually need to hit the ground running on my re-write!
 
Thank you, C.J, Looking forward to your next book! Once again, you can buy the book, visit C.J.'s website ,  read the 1st chapter of Bound By Guilt, and watch the book trailor

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

want to win a free book and more?!

Do you want a chance to win a new book with a few other prizes? Head on over to my blogging friend's blog for details

Monday, March 21, 2011

Bound By Guilt

Bound By Guilt
By C.J. Darlington

About the book:
Roxi Gold has been shuttled from one foster home to another for most her life. She longs for a family and will do anything to fit in even if it's against the law. Soon she's traveling the country in an RV, stealing rare books from unsuspecting bookstores. She knows it's wrong, but if she refuses, she'll be put out on the streets.


Police officer Abby Dawson has seen the worst of society, and not just at work. Her ex-husband wrested her daughter away from her in a bitter custody battle. The job she once loved has become a chore, the world isn't any safer, and there's no joy in her life.

One fateful night a man's innocent blood changes both Roxi's and Abby's lives forever. One searches for justice; the other finds herself on the run until a first edition of The Great Gatsby catches up with her. Will the power of forgiveness set them free, or will they both remain bound by guilt?

My Thoughts:


Bound By Guilt isn’t typically a book I would read but it was good. The depth of all the characters was great. I really enjoyed how easy it was to tell whose life was whose as each scene began even though scenes alternated characters. Every scene and character had a purpose which ultimately came together at the end. What amazed me the most was how much I felt for the main character, Roxi. Roxi was hurting and made some mistakes. Roxi was broken and it made me happy to see wise, loving people come to her aid.




Bound by Guilt is C.J. Darlington’s second book and I have a feeling there are many great ones to come!

Stay tuned for an interview with CJ later in the week.



Favorite Line:

“For one moment Roxi let herself enjoy the store’s ambiance. The potbellied stove in the corner, the rainbow of book spines crowding every shelf, the ticking of the antique clock she now saw sitting above the front door. If things were different, if she were different, every book in a store like this could be a potential treasure. As it was, everyone was a target.”


* I received this book free for review from Tyndale House Publishers*

Rating: 5 carats


Visit C.J. Darlington's website
Buy the book

Monday, March 14, 2011

The Perfect Blend


The Perfect Blend
By Trish Perry

About the book:

Steph Vandergrift left everything to elope with Middleburg attorney Rick Manfred, who then stood her up at the altar. Too embarrassed to return home, Steph hopes to earn enough to get by until she can decide what to do next. Tea Shop owner Milly Jewel hires her and appreciates the extra help at the tea shop.




Also appreciative of Steph is Kendall James, one of the kindest, most eligible bachelors in the area. But by the time Steph feels able to consider dating again, her run-away fiance returns and tries to win her back. Steph is wary, but she and Rick always blended so well.



Christie Burnham, the frank-talking equestrian from whom Steph rents a room, and her frillier sister Liz become fast friends and confidantes to Steph. Between the two sisters, there isn't much any man is going to pull over on Middleburg's newest bachelorette and tea shop employee.

My thoughts:

“The Perfect Blend” is truly a perfect blend of sweetness, laughter, and kind people reaching out to a woman who thought she was eloping but instead was left at the altar and was too embarrassed to go home.



All of the characters of the book were genuine. The book setting seemed to come so much to life one could almost smell the baked goods and coffee.



Favorite Line:

“ But she also knew, like a vapor in the midst of her dread, that everything would work out alright.”


*I received this book free for review from Harvest House Publishers *

Rating: 4 carats
Visit Trish Perry's website
Buy the book

Monday, March 7, 2011

The Brotherhood


The Brotherhood



The Brotherhood
By Jerry Jenkins

About the book:
Boone Drake follows all the rules - as a cop, husband and father. But when everything in his personal life is destroyed, he buries himself in guilt. His faith is rocked when he questions why God would allow this to happen to him. When it appears that it can't get any worse, he's accused of police brutality and suddenly his career is at risk. The possibility of being promoted to the Organized Crime Division is slipping from his hands. His life is spiraling out of control. But while protecting the leader of a Chicago gang, Boone comes to realize that God can change the hardest heart...and forgive the worst of crimes.




My thoughts:

The Brotherhood is a gritty police thriller that ultimately asks "Why does God allow tragedy?"




Jerry Jenkins does not shy away from questions stemming from a man having a crisis of faith and searching for the meaning of his life all in the context of a fast paced story.



I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator seemed strong and perfect for this story, very cop-like.



Rating: 4 carats


*I received this audio book free for review from christianaudio.com*

Rating : 4 carats


Visit Jerry Jenkin's website
Buy the audiobook