God Alone is Enough

God Alone is Enough
Claudia Mair Burney
Paraclette Press


BLOG TOUR!!! God Alone is Enough.. A Spirited Journey With St. Thresa of Avila.

This is a first on BTLT! A Blog Tour! I will be giving you a look at Chapter 8 of God Alone is Enough.


So, here we go!

Chapter 8, Holy Longing.

Claudia begins by describing her first try at contemplative prayer. In describing her truly heroic attempt to clear her mind and not think about not thinking she is absolutely hysterical, or I thought so. Because I know the feeling of trying not to think. But her description of the benefit of this kind of prayer makes the reader want to try it. To think of a word and how it can bring you closer to God, interesting stuff! I've never heard of contemplative prayer, but after reading about it here I may have to give it a try. She has included a helpful guide of Reasons To Avoid Forcing the mind into Submission, I recommend you take notes!

From there she goes on to warn us of the risk of this kind of prayer. Of the longing that it will create in the soul. Longing to be closer to God. She uses beautiful examples of longing for a lost lover from Song of Songs. To miss time with your God like you would your love, how amazing!

After reading this "preview" chapter I am looking forward to reading the rest of the book. Just one chapter and I realized this book can open me up to a whole different world of prayer.

Claudia Mair Burney is the author of seven novels, including the Amanda Bell Brown mysteries, Zora and Nickey, and Christy award finalist in 2009. Readers familiar with her style will enjoy this rollicking journey through their own interior castles. She lives in Kentucky where she also authors the popular blog "Ragamuffin Diva"

"Joyous, sprightly, earthy, zestful and real, St. Teresa of Avila comes bursting forth in this vibrant new book. Claudia Mair Burney is the perfect guide to lead readers into the freeing, but often misunderstood, spiritual insights of one of history's most remarkable women."-- James Martin, SJ, author of "My life With the Saints"

Book Giveaway

Janice Hanna is giving away copies of Swinging on a Star! Click here to enter the contest! Then share with your friends!


http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6883161-swinging-on-a-star

A Soldier's Devotion by Cheryl Wyatt
(Steeple Hill Love Inspired, ISBN-0373875754)
is IN STORES NOW!!!

Purchase link: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Devotion-Love-Inspired/dp/0373875754

Excerpt: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product_slideshow?sku=875757&actual_sku=875757&use_onix=1

About the Book
U.S. Air Force pararescue jumper Vince Reardon was headed to a lifesaving mission. Until a too-pretty lawyer crashed her fancy car into his motorcycle—sidelining him for two weeks. Vince can barely accept Valentina Russo's heartfelt apologies. Ever since his brother was wrongly convicted—and killed in prison—Vince has lost respect for lawyers. But wait—is that Val volunteering at his refuge for underprivileged kids? If Vince isn't careful, this lady of the law might just earn his respect and his heart.

About the Author
Born Valentines Day on a naval base, Cheryl Wyatt writes military romance. Her Steeple Hill debuts earned RT Top Picks plus #1 and #4 on eHarlequin's Top 10 Most-Blogged-About-Books, lists including NYT Bestsellers and she is a Reviewers Choice Award nominee.

www.CherylWyatt.com

The Adventures of Seek and Save, Lost at Sea

The Adventures of Seek and Save, Lost at Sea

Sharon Swanepoel

2008



A great rhyming book for children! My girls both fought over this book and only one of them can read!!

Seek and Save work on a rescue boat on the ocean. The story begins with Seek and Save warning Mr. Scott about an approaching storm. Mr. Scott doesn't believe them and sails away with his family.

But the storm does come and Seek and Save are safe on their boat. To calm their nerves and pass the time they sing a wonderful song. Then they get a s.o.s from Mr. Scott.

Seek and Save rush out to rescue Mr. Scott and his family. Will they make it in time?

My girls both enjoyed this book. Gwen really likes the rhyming, and Annabelle likes the song that is written into the story.

The artwork is wonderful. Lots of color and they are simple pictures that reflect what is going on in the story but not cluttered.

After the story is over, there is a chance for your child to hear how Jesus can save them and to become a follower. There is even a simple prayer they can pray. There are even some memory verses and the story of Jesus walking on the stormy sea!

This is a great book for grade school children. It can be used to help improve reading ability, rhyming skills or even some Bible trivia.

You can buy the book here
http://www.godsglory.org/e-store.htm

Exposure

Exposure

Brandilyn Collins

Zondervan, 2009

This story is about Kaycee Raye and her paranoia. Kaycee has suffered from extreme paranoia since the age of nine. She inherited it from her mother. Kaycee lives in constant fear that some one is watching her, following her.To help cope with life, she writes a newspaper column about her fears. But, then one day, her fears begin to come true. Mysterious photos start showing up everywhere, but disappear before anyone else can see them. Someone IS watching Kaycee, but who and why? But can she prove it or will everyone just think that crazy Kaycee is at it again?The story is packed with mysterious twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end, which will blow you away!

I LOVED this book! I really don't think I have ever read a suspense this good. When I first picked it up, I thought it was three different stories, but, I was wrong! ( I am trying to not give you ANY of the surprise details here!)

Brandilyn has done a magnificent job of taking three stories and weaving them together into an incredible story of danger, fear, and surprise. However, under all the mystery, there is a message. A message about what happens when you let fear control your life, don't miss it!

Now, when you first pick up this book you may flip through it and gasp. It's 55 chapters long! Relax, most of them are short and make the story come together quite easily. By the time you get past chapter 4, you won't even notice when you move from chapter to chapter.

This is one of the few suspense books that I would truly recommend. It is written in a way that allows you to almost see what is going on, like you are in the middle of the story with Kaycee. You can almost feel her fear.

I loved this book, as I stated earlier. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a well written suspense. There is even the slightest hint of romance thrown in there! Way to go Brandilyn! This book makes my top ten!

Love Finds You in Humble Texas

Love Finds You in Humble Texas

Anita Higman

Published by Summerside Press, Inc. 2008

Trudie Abernathy has never had much luck in love. Whats a girl to do? Trudie's glamorous sister,Lane, decides to give her a makeover for the thirtieth birthday. She also sets Trudie up on a blind date! Isn't that what sisters are for? Trudie isn't very happy about the blind date, that is, until she meets Mason Wimberley. Her sisters financial advisor and her blind date. Not to mention a real hunk!

The catch? Lane decides that she is in love with Mason!

Poor Trudie! What should she do? Back off and let Lane have Mason? Continue dating Mason? This book combines romance and suspense incredibly well! A wonderful story that will remind you that sometimes you just have to take a step back and let God work it all out.

Anita Higman has a wonderful story here. The character are well developed and each bring a lot of personality to the story.

I really enjoyed the fact that each character has a problem that really helps tie the story together. Will Mason take over the family business? Will Trudie rediscover a long lost talent? What will Lane decide to do about her feelings for Mason? I love a story within a story!

She also does a great job of making you feel like you are walking along with the characters throughout the story. Her descriptions of each home, building and situation are full of detail and really pull you in.

If you are looking for a romantic comedy/suspense, this is the book for you!

Fools Rush In by Janice Hanna

Fools Rush In
Janice Hanna
Published by Revell
2009


A light hearted story of Bella Rossi and her big, fat, Italian family, and family business. Bella inherited the family wedding planning business and is attempting to coordinate her first ever Boot-Scootin wedding event. However, Bella has NO knowledge of country music, and is without a DJ. Overhearing a phone conversation in her uncles pizza shop, Bella gets the name of a prospective DJ. Duh-wayne Neeley. However, during their first meeting she finds out that he is no Deejay, but DJ, Dwayne Neeley, Jr! However the show must go on! Will Bella and DJ be able to pull off the Texas themed wedding? Will there be sparks between Bella and Duh-wayne? Can country merge with Italian?


This book is fantastic! I truly couldn't put it down! You almost feel like you are part of the Rossi family! To the point of wanting to cover your ears sometimes! The book is engaging and a lot of fun! It draws you in with Italian food and keeps you there with a cowboy and a southern draw!
The characters are fun and easy to relate to, you can really sympathise with them and their situations! Who doesn't know what it is like to feel overwhelmed in a new, scary position (much like Bella AND DJ?) And if you ever wondered what it would be like to have a large family, this book will certainly give you the idea!

Bella, the main character, is part of a large Italian family residing in Galveston. She also is the new manager of the family business. A lovable girl with a big heart, however Bella feels that her name doesn't match her face. Bella spends her life planning weddings for others, but sometimes wonders if she will ever plan her own.

DJ Neeley, or Dwayne, the true blue southern cowboy from Splendora who stumbles into the role of deejay for the Texas themed wedding Bella is planning. Kind hearted, and handsome to boot, could DJ be the cowboy that Bella didn't know she was waiting for?

I live pretty close to Splendora, so the setting was just wonderful. And Janice does a wonderful job of describing both Splendora and Galveston.

This book is really worth the read. You may even find yourself wanting to try out a pair of cowboy boots!!