Longing

Longing

by Karen Kingsbury

In Karen Kingsbury's third book in the Bailey Flanigan series, Bailey is still dancing in the musical, Hairspray, on Broadway, and dating Brandon Paul, the hottest actor in Hollywood. When she goes home to Bloomington, Indiana for Thanksgiving and discovers that her first love, Cody Coleman, is in town to coach a game with his high school football team, she goes to the game reluctantly. She hasn't talked to Cody since seeing him at his new girlfriend Cheyenne's side in the hospital. When she goes to the game without Brandon, sparks definitely fly between Bailey and Cody. What will happen to her relationship with Brandon? And will Bailey and Cody be able to rekindle their old flame?

I was very excited to have the chance to get an advanced review copy of this book. Karen Kingsbury is my favorite author, and I have quickly grown to love Bailey Flanigan. 

Karen did an amazing job of writing this story. I found myself staying up later than I normally do, just so I could find out what would happen next. She has a way of pouring such life into each character, that you fall in love with each one of them. I felt torn between Bailey's men - Cody Coleman, her first love, or Brandon Paul, her new love. 

If you like Karen Kingsbury's writing, you will love this one. I recommend reading the first two books in the series (Leaving and Learning) first though, so you have more background. Ultimately, to get the most background, you would need to read her Baxter series, Firstborn series, and Above the Line series. But it isn't absolutely necessary to read those series in order to enjoy this book.

I give this book 5 stars. I can't wait for the last book, Loving, to be released in March 2012!

This book will be available at your favorite bookseller from Zondervan Books, starting November 22, 2011. You can pre-order it here or at your local bookstore.

About the author:

After graduating from college in 1986 with a degree in journalism, Karen became a full-time reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Her first book, Missy’s Murder, was based on a murder story she covered in Los Angeles as a reporter. She sold a version of the story to People magazine in 1989. A New York agent read her People story and asked her for a book proposal. The book hit stores in 1992. She then wrote three more true crime novels. Next she wrote four collections of answered prayers and miracle stories before transitioning to inspirational fiction in 1998.

Her first novel, Where Yesterday Lives, was a real challenge for Karen to get published. Although publishing companies said they liked the story, they were not sure what to do with it since it didn’t contain foul language and had no sex scenes. Finally, the Christian publishing house Multnomah, published her novel and gave her a multi-book contract. Her books made a real connection with contemporary romance fans. Since her first novel, Karen has written more than 40 faith based novels, many of which have hit #1 on national lists. There are more than 15 million copies of her award-winning books in print.

Karen lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Don. They were married in June, 1988 and have six children, three of whom were adopted from Haiti. You can read her Adoption story. 

Dubbed by Time magazine as the “queen” of Christian fiction, Karen receives tens of thousands of letters from readers who say that Karen’s fiction has dramatically changed their lives. These letters and e-testimonials of improved marriages, spiritual awakenings and new found hope have enabled her to formally trademark her work Life-Changing Fiction™.

They celebrate their faith daily by laughing, loving and living life to the fullest. You can contact Karen atmoc.yrubsgniKneraK@neraK.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan Books through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

Book Reviews of the Week: Oct 2-8, 2011

Check out these book reviews!

Becky at Christian Chick's Thoughts posted a review on Stephanie Grace Whitson's A Most Unsuitable Match. Read it here.

Renee at Doorkeeper writes about Katie's Davis' Kisses from Katie here.

Christy at Southern Sassy Things blogged about Tracie Peterson's House of Secrets here.

Lydia at The Overweight Bookshelf reviews Debbie Viguie's Kiss of Night here.

Tammy at Bluerose's Heart writes about Amy Parker's Night Night Blessings here. 

These all look like interesting books!

Until next week,

Holly

My Life in Books

Books that Remind Me of Childhood

The Poky Little Puppy. Though I don't have my original copy of this book, I do have a copy. I still love this book about the precocious puppy who can't seem to stay in his own yard.

Aloysius Sebastian Mozart Mouse. My mom's friend gave this book to me when I was about 7 years old. Aloysius was a mouse who had dreams of playing the pipe organ. Try as he might though, he couldn't seem to depress the pedals and keys at the same time. Some friends of his come up with a way for him to play, though. I think this book instilled in me a love of music. I still have this book, and am looking forward to sharing it with my own children someday.

Dick & Jane. My mom taught me to read with these books. I still remember sitting with her and discovering the thrill of reading, when I thought the word "jump" was such a hard word! :)

Ramona Books. Miss Newton, my 1st grade teacher, introduced me to these great books. I still remember sitting on the classroom floor, absolutely enthralled while listening to Ramona's adventures.

Amelia Bedelia Books. These books always cracked me up. While I did find myself a bit frustrated with her inability to understand the simplest directions, I always found myself laughing.

Books that Defined My Teens

The Babysitters Club. I probably read every single one of these books - at least the ones that were written in the late 80s/early 90s. I also remember choosing to read one of these books at recess, rather than play with my classmates. :)

Nancy Drew Series (the ones that came out in the 90s). For awhile I didn't know there were any other Nancy Drew series besides these. I can't attest to how well written these are, because it's been years since I've read them, but I know I always thoroughly enjoyed reading them.

Sweet Valley High Series. I always enjoyed reading about the adventures of twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield. Made me kind of want a twin, but not really. I remember relating more to Elizabeth's bookish personality at the time. :)

Anne of Green Gables series. I read these books after watching Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea 57 times. I remember thinking how different the movie is from the books, but that I liked both for what they were.  I recently obtained most of this series for free for my Kindle. I think the last couple books are still waiting to be placed on public domain.

Books that Defined My College Years

A History of the English Language. Ahh, HEL ( yes, this is what English majors called the class that used this book). It was appropriately titled, yet I do remember learning some interesting facts about the English language while going through this book. Combine this book with the nice little Old English passage book that required translating once a week, and you have HEL. :)

Perelandra. I remember reading C.S. Lewis' science fiction trilogy for a paper I was writing. Though I am not a huge science fiction fan, I did enjoy these books in some part, mostly for the allegories.

Figure Skating: A Celebration. There was a period of my college years where I was sort of obsessed with figure skating. I fell in love with the beauty and grace of the sport after watching the 2002 Winter Olympics. Tim Goebel may have had a small part in my liking figure skating at the time. But anyways, I still have my copy of this book. Becky, do you like the old picture of Elvis Stojko on the cover? :)

The Last Book I Read

Longing - I am currently reading this latest Karen Kingsbury book, the 3rd in the Bailey Flanigan series...stay tuned for my review!

A Favorite Book Few Others Seem to Know About

• Fragile Dreams & Old Photographs (Elizabeth Gibson). I first read this in high school or early college, I believe. This book recounts the journey of a girl who comes of age in the 1960s and struggles through the 1970s. It is a great story, one that long sticks in your mind after you close the book. Go here to check it out.

What about you? Leave your answers in the comments, or better yet, write about it on your own blog and post the link in the comments. 

A Heart for Freedom

A Heart for Freedom

by Chai Ling

In the spring of 1989, a series of protests in Beijing, China's Tiananmen Square broke out. The response of the Chinese government horrified the world, who watched the events on television. Chai Ling was part of the demonstrations, but she was trying to do so peacefully and help bring calm to the other demonstrators. A Heart for Freedom tells Ling's story from childhood to college, to the Tiananmen Square protests, to her heart for rescuing the children that China has abandoned.

Ling recounts her 3 forced abortions under China's one child policy. I read with horror that women in China must get a birthing license in order to give birth. Women who aren't married, or already have a child, definitely cannot obtain a birthing license - therefore, the government forces them to abort their babies.

The book got a little "detail heavy" around the Tiananmen Square scenes, but I know it was necessary for Ling to recount not only what happened, but to honor those who died while protesting for something they believed in, and, I think, to get some closure for herself. The part of the book that fascinated me was her escape from China and her days as a fugitive.

I admire Ling for her courage in taking a stand for what she believes in. She recently accepted Christ as her Savior, and sees her mission to save China and the girls of China, in the light of God's truth. Today, Ling has an organization called All Girls Allowed, whose mission is "to restore life, value, and dignity to girls and mothers, and to reveal the injustice of China's One-Child Policy."

No doubt, this book is not easy to read, due to all of the horrors experienced at the hands of the Chinese government. But I think it is one that everyone should read, or at least know about.

Read more: http://www.allgirlsallowed.org/about/our-mission#ixzz1ZuDHJHWZ

About the author:

In addition to founding All Girls Allowed, Chai Ling serves as the Founding President and Chief Operating Officer of Jenzabar, Inc., a leading higher education software and services provider. Prior to Jenzabar, Chai Ling worked as a consultant at Bain & Company, a leading global business and strategy consulting firm. She holds a M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, a M.L.A. in Public Affairs at Princeton University, and a B.A. from Beijing University. Chai Ling also established the Jenzabar Foundation and serves as one of its Board Members. The Foundation supports the most inspirational and influential humanitarian efforts of student leaders through grant opportunities. A key student leader herself in the 1989 Tiananmen Square movement, Chai Ling was subsequently named Glamour Woman of the Year and nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Read more at: http://www.allgirlsallowed.org/about/our-team#ixzz1XwuI9XJp.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Hello, Hollywood!

Hello, Hollywood!

by Janice Thompson

Athena Pappas is the head writer for the sitcom, Stars Collide. When she finds out the show wants to add a fourth writer, she starts getting anxiety, thinking she may be about to lose her job. When she meets the fourth writer, Vegas comedian Stephen Cosse, she finds herself being torn between liking him and resenting him. When it seems that Stephen has betrayed her and their fellow writers, will he turn out to be the real deal, or a disappointment?

I really liked this book. It was a fast read, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading not just the love story between Athena and Stephen, but the dynamics and antics of Athena's huge Greek family. It had a sort of My Big Fat Greek Wedding vibe. There were so many cute elements to the story, and laugh out loud moments with Athena's family, Stephen's daughter, Brooke, and Zeus, the dog Athena inherited from her great-aunt Athena. I also thought it was interesting to read about what goes on behind the scenes of television writing. The author's background in script writing lends an authenticity to the writing scenes (though I know they're shortened and exaggerated a bit for the story). Of note, this book is the second in this series. The first is Stars Collide, which features Kat and Scott's story. 

I give Hello, Hollywood! 5 stars.

This book is now available at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Company. Click here to read more about Hello, Hollywood, or to read a portion of the book.

About the author:

Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and former screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson afford an inside look at TV land, drawing on her experiences as a screenwriter. She is the author of the Weddings by Bella series and Stars Collide. She lives in Texas.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Free Christian Books For Your Kindle on Amazon!

Check out all of the free Christian books for your Kindle on Amazon here!

I usually check Amazon's list of free Kindle books at least every other day, but in the past few days they have added a ton of great Christian books by authors such as Lynn Austin, Tracie Peterson, Catherine Palmer, and Sally John. Hurry over and grab them while they're still free!

Please note: Not all of the books on the list are Christian, or even what I would consider decent. And also, since I haven't read any of the books, I am not endorsing them, but merely offering suggestions of possible good free reads. :)

Book Reviews of the Week!

Check out these book reviews:

My friend Becky at Christian Chick's Thoughts posted a review on Susan May Warren's novel, Heiress, here.

Deborah at Books, Movies, & Chinese Food posted a great review on Kim Cash Tate's Cherished here.

Katie at Legacy of a Writer writes about Maggie Brendan's Deeply Devoted here.

Lydia at The Overweight Bookshelf reviewed Adina Senft's The Wounded Heart here.

Wall-to-Wall Books posted a review on Life Application Study Bible Devotional Daily Wisdom from the Life of Jesus here. She's also giving away a copy, so go on over there and post a comment for a chance to win!

Tammy at Bluerose's Heart reviewed Anne Elisabeth Stengl's Veiled Rose here.

Happy 2 Be Scrappin' writes about Jenny B. Jones' There You'll Find Me here.

Christy at Southern Sassy Things posted a review on Tosca Lee's Havah: The Story of Eve here.

I don't know about you, but I think all of these books sound great!