Gold Chains
Posted by Vicki on Jan 12, 2012
I’ve had trouble for years finding decent gold chains that don’t break if I look at them. Suprisingly enough the one chain I have that seems unbreakable was not at all expensive. It holds the keys to my heart. *LOL* Seriously the chain has two little keys on it, and the keys have the birthstones of my two girls on it.
His Steadfast Love
Posted by Vicki on Jan 11, 2012
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Golden Keyes Parsons writes historical fiction for Thomas Nelson Publishing, and is also a popular retreat/conference speaker. Her highly acclaimed Darkness to Light Series chronicled the journey of her French Huguenot ancestors in 17th century France. Her newest novel, His Steadfast Love, a Civil War novel set in Texas, just released November 2011. Golden lives in Waco, TX, with her husband, Blaine, where they enjoy their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and are avid sports fan of their alma mater, Baylor University.
ABOUT THE BOOK
It isn’t until the Civil War comes to her doorstep that Amanda Bell must choose between love and family.
It’s the spring of 1861 on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Amanda never thought she would marry because of a promise she made to her dying mother, but her attraction to Captain Kent Littlefield is undeniable.
When Texas secedes from the Union, her brother Daniel aligns with the Confederate States, while Kent remains with the Union troops.
Her heart is torn between the two men she is closest to and the two sides of the conflict. Amanda prays to God for direction and support, but hears only silence. Where is God in the atrocities of war-and whose side is He on?
Amanda senses her life is at a turning point. She must trust God to deliver her family through the chaos of war with her heart and her faith intact.
If you would like to read the first chapter of His Steadfast Love, go HERE.
Captive Heart
Posted by Vicki on Jan 11, 2012
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dale Cramer spent his formative years traveling the world as an Army brat, then settled in Georgia at the age of fifteen when his father retired.
After high school he became an electrician, a job that took him to places as diverse as power plants, stadia, airports, high-rise office buildings and a hard-rock mining operation.
Twenty-five years of experiences in the trades provided him with the wealth of characters, stories and insights that populate his novels.
When he married his childhood friend, Pam, in 1975 he had no way of knowing they would not have children until fifteen years later.
In his early forties, when Dale left his job to become a stay-at-home dad, he suddenly found himself with time on his hands, so he pursued a lifelong dream and taught himself to write.
Using an online writer’s forum as a training ground, he wrote his first short stories in 1996. As his writing skills improved he turned to novels, publishing his first book, Sutter’s Cross, in 2003.
Since then, Dale has published four more novels and garnered a measure of critical acclaim with two Christy Awards, a listing among Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Books of 2004 and numerous other Best lists. Dale and his wife Pam live in Georgia with their two sons.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Bandit troubles intensify as Caleb Bender’s family tries to settle into their new life in 1920s Paradise Valley. When El Pantera kidnaps Rachel and leaves her brother, Aaron, for dead, Jake Weaver and the Mexican native Domingo pursue the bandit leader to his mountain stronghold in a hopeless rescue attempt. Jake and Domingo manage to escape with Rachel, with the bandits hot on their trail. In a desperate attempt to avoid recapture, Domingo puts himself squarely in harm’s way, giving Jake and Rachel time to get away. This is not the quiet life Caleb Bender envisioned when he led his family out of Ohio. What is a father to make of his daughter’s obvious affection for a man outside the fold? And how will a pacifist Amishman like Caleb respond to the events that threaten his family and their way of life?
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Captive Heart, go HERE
The Rose of Winslow Street
Posted by Vicki on Jan 5, 2012
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A research librarian and associate professor, Elizabeth Camden has a master’s in history from the University of Virginia and a master’s in library science from Indiana University. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband in central Florida.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The last thing Libby Sawyer and her father expected upon their return from their summer home was to find strangers inhabiting a house that had been in their family for decades. Widower Michael Dobrescu brought his family from Romania to the town of Colden, Massachusetts with a singular purpose: to claim the house willed to him long ago. Since neither party has any intention of giving up their claim, a fierce legal battle ensues between the two families.
When important documents go missing from the house, Libby suspects Michael is the culprit. Determined to discover the truth behind the stolen papers, Libby investigates, only to find more layers of mystery surrounding Michael and his family. Despite their rivalry, Libby finds herself developing feelings for this man with the mysterious past.
As a decision about the house looms in the courts, Libby must weigh the risks of choosing to remain loyal to her family or give her heart to a man whose intentions and affections are less than certain.
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Rose of Winslow Street, go HERE.
GOOD HELP IS HARD TO FIND
Posted by Vicki on Jan 4, 2012
Thanks for the post, Vernon Lowe
After our wonderful housekeeper, Tilly, who worked in our home for fifteen years retired last May, I had a horrible time trying to find a new one. I checked with every cleaning service in town. Not one of the cleaning services offered the type of cleaning and tidying that I needed done in the house everyday. They would offer weekly cleanings and charged a ton of money. One service I contacted said that cleaning for two hours a day would be two hundred and fifty dollars… who can afford that?! I went through referrals from friends and family. It made me nervous having people in my home and knowing my alarm code. I got in touch with our company maryland home security. They told me about a feature of my home security system that I did not know about. The keypad for the system can hold several different alarm codes. My family and I use the master code. When I have a housekeeper in my home, I have them use a temporary code. The temporary codes can be cancelled at anytime and also changed at anytime. It makes me feel like our home is safer.
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall
Posted by Vicki on Jan 4, 2012
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years (first in advertising, then as a fiction editor) and now writes full time. Two of her books, The Girl in the Gatehouse and The Silent Governess won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Girl in the Gatehouse also won a Midwest Book Award and The Silent Governess was a finalist in Romance Writers of America’s RITA awards.
She graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoys travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends. Julie and her husband have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Pampered Margaret Macy flees London in disguise to escape pressure to marry a dishonorable man. With no money and nowhere else to go, she takes a position as a housemaid in the home of Nathaniel Upchurch, a suitor she once rejected in hopes of winning his dashing brother. Praying no one will recognize her, Margaret fumbles through the first real work of her life. If she can last until her next birthday, she will gain an inheritance from a spinster aunt–and sweet independence. But can she remain hidden as a servant even when prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall?
Observing both brothers as an “invisible” servant, Margaret learns she may have misjudged Nathaniel. Is it too late to rekindle his admiration? And when one of the family is nearly killed, Margaret alone discovers who was responsible. Should she come forward, even at the risk of her reputation and perhaps her life? And can she avoid an obvious trap meant to force her from hiding?
On her journey from wellborn lady to servant to uncertain future, Margaret must learn to look past appearances and find the true meaning of “serve one another in love.”
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, go HERE
Military Challenge Coin
Posted by Vicki on Dec 30, 2011
I hadn’t heard of anything like the military challenge coin until I went and looked at a certain website. I have to say that the website was pretty awesome, as was the idea of having special coins made for just about any occasion. Businesses can have some made with their emblems to use as coupons or some such thing. It’s a nifty idea if I do say so myself.
Book Reviews
Posted by Vicki on Dec 21, 2011
I’m not sure any of my readers notice the lack of book reviews during December, but I’ll explain the reason anyway. The company that I do the reviews through always takes the month of December off. I love it, and think it’s great. Of course we review the books on a voluntary basis anyway, so we could opt out one month if we wanted a break, but it’s always nice to know that come December we have a preplanned break.
Welding Equipment
Posted by Vicki on Dec 21, 2011
I remember when my Dad used to do some welding. He never had much if any of the welding equipment but used some at a college or school or something. I remember that he took a welding class or two, and I remember that he welded together a stock rack for the pickup we had back then.
And that is the extent of my welding knowledge. *LOL*
Address Yard Signs
Posted by Vicki on Dec 16, 2011
Do you know how easy it would be to find places if they all had address yard signs?? I have seen some before and I think they are neat! You can get them in all kinds of styles, so they don’t have to be tacky looking, and they make it so much easier for people like me to be able to find new places!
