Book Review: The Thorn, by Beverly Lewis

The Thorn, by Beverly Lewis is book #1 in the Rose Trilogy and it's promising to be a great trilogy!  Welcome to the Amish community of Lancaster county.  You will be hooked as soon as you meet Rose Kauffman and her rebellious friend, as well as her older sister, Hen who has problems all her own!

Beverly Lewis does not disappoint as she weaves her newest tale with a few edgy and unexpected characters this book leaves you wanting more...how soon will book #2 be out?!  There were a few predictable parts to the story line, but I didn't feel that they distracted from the story one bit, and they may have predictable simply because I have read so many Amish stories.  What I liked about The Thorn was that the characters truly show their personalities, the Amish community is one that we hear about,  and read stories about, but how well do we truly know them?  Rose, Hen and the Bishop's son all show us that everyone has troubles, and the Amish truly do have problems like the rest of us, they may be more simple, more Godly than the rest of us, but that doesn't keep trouble at bay.

The end of this book left me hanging and I will rush to read book #2...I have to find out what happens in Hen's marriage, does her husband soften, what becomes of the Bishop's son?  There are several very interesting characters in this story that grab you and find their way into your heart, I recommend this book, and what I like is that adults can read it and pass it along to their friends OR their teenagers.  What a fun read to share with your daughter!

*Many thanks to Bethany House for providing me with a complimentary ARC of this book for review, my thoughts are solely my own.

Now, if you'd like to purchase this book.....which is on sale TODAY, you can click right here and a copy will be at your door before you know it!

Friendly Friday

Let's have some Friday Fun, thanks for visiting and be sure to check out the Fantasy Jewelry Box giveaway down below! Leave a comment so I can come visit you, maybe not today, but I'll get there!

Fantasy Jewelry Box Review and GIVEAWAY!!! ***CLOSED***

***CLOSED***
Congratulations to the winner, Huguette, post #2

I have been so excited to offer this giveaway on my blog!  I just LOVE Fantasy Jewelry Box, they have gorgeous jewelry, great prices and a huge selection full of bling.

Fantasy Jewelry Box is truly named correctly, you can fill your jewelry box with beautiful items because their prices are excellent!

What a great gift idea, items are sent in a little box wrapped with a silver string tied in a bow, all you need is a card!

They have celebrity inspired, vintage, designer, silver, gold and pieces simply made to make a statement!

Buy Camilla's Sterling Silver CZ Heart Necklace for only $33.95!

Item No. N1302

I browsed and browsed before I chose my review items, but I finally settled on the Gold Diamond CZ  Simple Eternity Band for myself and Corin's Pink CZ Slim Rose Gold Eternity Band for my daughter!

I absolutely love the rings I received, they fit perfectly, the gold ring sparkles and shines, I wore it shopping and received many compliments, it has just the right amount of sparkle and shine!  The rose gold ring is just perfect for my daughter, she has small, slim hands and it looks great on her, it's not overwhelming for an almost 16yr old and looks great with dresses or jeans!  Can you tell that I have fallen in love with Fantasy Jewelry Box?!

...And here's the good news for you, Fantasy Jewelry Box is giving my readers the chance to win a $35 gift card!  So what are you waiting for, go on over and look around!

Please leave a separate comment per entry!  And leave your email address so I can find you if you win.

Mandatory Entries: 
(You must do these or all other entries will be void)

-Follow my blog, and leave a comment telling me what you might purchase if you win!

-Sign up for Fantasy Jewelry Box's newsletter

Extra Entries:

+1 follow FJB on twitter

+1 follow lluuluu on twitter, that's me

+1 follow FJB on Face Book

+1 follow FJB on youtube

+1 tweet about the giveaway, you can do this daily, but leave a link

+5 grab my button and tell me where it's posted

+5 post about this giveaway on your blog...leave a link so I can find it

...Have fun, play fair, I"ll be checking and GOOD LUCK!  The giveaway will be open until Saturday, Sept. 18th at midnight, I will choose the winner with Random.org, and the winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

*I received my review items at no charge from Fantasy Jewelry Box, I was not told what to say, and my opinions are 100% my own.

Book Review: Choosing to See

Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman with Ellen Vaughn.

Mary Beth Chapman and Ellen Vaughn have written a true story that is nothing short of wonderful.  Mary Beth and her husband Steve have 3 wonderful children, but their daughter decides they really should adopt, her relentlessness becomes an inspiration as the family goes on to adopt not 1, not 2 but 3 children from China!  This story takes you through a families journey of suffering, love and of a strong faith that holds them all together.

As I read this book I found myself smiling and then minutes later tears ran down my face, but yet I couldn't read each page quickly enough as I fell in love with this family that has so much love to share.  I love how songs written by Steve are added throughout the story, as well as family photos.  Mary Beth is not afraid to share her life, she doesn't just share the good, but she shares the deep down fears, distress and problems her family faces.  This book takes you through happiness, but in finding happiness you see what this family went through to get to their happiness.  Some families fall apart during hard times, not this one, and the tragedy in this book will leave you weeping.

I can't say enough good about this book, and it could not have a more perfect title.  Choosing to See is something we can all probably learn to do better, and love, how much love do you have to share?  I cannot wait to share this book with friends and family!

To learn more about Mary Beth Chapman you can visit her blog at http://marybethchapman.com

*Revell, a division of Baker Publishing sent me a complimentary copy of this book to review, my thoughts are solely my own.

“Available September 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

If you would like your own copy of this book you can purchase it here:

Book Review: Catching Moondrops

Catching Moondrops, by Award Winning Author, Jennifer Erin Valent is a book that will leave you with questions as well as hope.  This is a book about love, hate, and acceptance, and one you will not soon forget.

Jessilyn Lassiter wants nothing more than for her lifelong friend, Luke to finally notice her, she is 19 and full of dreams for her future.  This is the year 1938 and Jessilyn just happens to live in the deep south, as well as with her friend, a colored girl, add to the mix an active Klan just waiting to make an impression and you have a story full of turmoil and tension.

Just as Jessilyn's romance blooms, her friend, Gemma falls in love with the new town Dr., not any Dr. but a colored Dr. when the first white towns person accepts care from the new Dr. things begin to erupt, and Jessilyn finds herself smack in the middle of a whole lot of mess, hate and it all comes to a head when she finds a good friend lynched.  Will Jessilyn's anger turn those who love her most away, or will she come to terms with God and find peace in her heart just when it matters most?

This book kept me on my toes, turning  pages as quickly as I could.  This book teaches that we can conquer our past if we're willing and keep our hearts open, I strongly recommend this book, not only is it a great read but it tells of a part of History that we often would rather not learn about.

*Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers, I received a complimentary ARC of this book for review, my opinion and thoughts are solely my own.

If you would like your own copy of Catching Moondrops you can purchase it here:

Welcome Wednesday!

 Come join the fun with Take it from me the host of Welcome Wednesday!

...WOW, it's Wednesday AND September all in one, I can't believe September is already here, where did the summer go?  My sister is thrilled that her kids went back to school today, how about you?  We home school so it's all on me, my kids go no where but I love it and would not have it any other way!  This year my son is in 8th and my daughter in 10th, it's getting challenging.

Now...if you're vising from the blog hop be sure to say hello, leave a comment so I can visit you back, and thanks for stopping by!

Now...how about some really weird news?!

Man Shot in Head, but Notices Only 5 Years Later

European man shot in head on New Year's Eve, but notices it only 5 years later

The Associated Press

BERLIN


Police say a man living in Germany was shot in the back of his head, but that it took him five years to realize it.
Police said Tuesday that the 35-year-old man was hit by a .22-caliber bullet in the western town of Herne as he was out in the street partying and drunk on New Year's Eve five years ago.
They say the man recalled receiving a blow to the head, but told them he didn't seek medical assistance at the time.
The bullet did not penetrate the skull, and police say the Polish man only went to see a doctor recently when he felt a lump on the back of his head. An X-ray showed an object under his skin, and doctors operated and found the projectile.
Police say it may have been a stray bullet fired by a reveler in celebration.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Copyright © 2010 ABC News Internet Ventures

Minnesota State Fair

State Fair Fashion Revue Competition.....the results are in!

Yesterday we got up early and went to the State Fair for the 4H Fashion Revue Competition.  We were there by 8:30 am and still had to park about 2 miles away!  (Because I was too cheap to pay for parking!)

My daughter spent the morning learning about fashion, colors, textures, etc. while my son and I walked and walked and walked!  We picked up R for lunch and decided to try some new food items, how about some Deep Fried Pizza Balls, Deep Fried Cannoli and a Deep Fried Twinkie on a stick?  Yes, that's right, the MN State Fair is famous for food on a stick!  Here are some photos:

Pizza Balls....very interesting, ok, but don't need to eat them again!

The Cannoli was ok....liked the dough better than the cream!

My son lit into the twimke before I took the picture, he liked it but said next time no chocolate, my powdered sugar instead!

And that's all the food we had on a stick, we weren't all that adventurous..at close to 100 it was too hot to eat.

Ok...so you're wondering about Fashion Revue, some of you may remember back in July when I posted photos of my daughter winning at County Fair, well.....she did it again, she won at State.....here are some photos! There were about 40 girls in the competition, they are judged all afternoon, first an interview and then they are judged while they work on stage.

Here's R (2nd from left) as she's walking up to announce her name/county

Receiving her medal

R with her friends...who were cheering her on, LOUDLY!!!

After the fashion show we celebrated my mother-in-laws birthday and finally left for home at 10:30pm!

Next...it's the State Archery Competition and the State Dog Show!