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If You're Wondering

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 04:23:58 +0100

If you're wondering where I've been check out these tales of my recent adventures.
:)

The Waiting Book Review & Kindle Giveaway

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 04:29:19 +0100

Here's the spiel:

Book 2 in The Lancaster Secrets collection and hot on the heals of the best-selling The Choice, The Waiting, a stand alone story, is a compelling page turner. Jorie King has been waiting for Benjamin Zook to return home to Lancaster County so they can marry...

There's more to it but I don't want to ruin the story for you so that's all I'm going to post :)

The Waiting is what I like to call “light” fiction. Light in that all the characters are vaguely familiar, the plot doesn’t take you by surprise and the ending wraps up tidily—and that’s not a bad thing. Sometimes you want a nice, safe, pleasurable read and that’s exactly what The Waiting is. The characters are easy to love, the snippets about the Amish way of life are interesting and the story keeps you turning the pages. Even more so, The Waiting is second in a series and I liked it enough that I will seek out the next book in the set when it is released.

Things I liked: Along with what I mentioned earlier, I also liked that it takes place in the past during the Vietnam War. I liked the focus on God the main characters had. I liked the length of the story and that we get to see the characters over the course of time.

Things I found difficult: Sometimes things worked out a little too conveniently. It made it hard for me to buy into the story when events transpired in perfect timing to advance the plot. ;)

There are a lot of characters and although I didn’t feel like I was missing out (this is book #2 in a series) I did have to re-read bits to get straight who was who and what his or her relationship was to others in the story. But that was minors.

I received a free copy of The Waiting for review purposes.

Now on to the giveaway!

Suzanne Woods Fisher is thrilled to announce the release of The Waiting, book two in The Lancaster Secrets Collection. In The Waiting Jorie finds herself caught be two loves and two lives in this compelling page turner about complex people living the simple life.

A must read! Visit the blog tour and find out what the reviewers are saying! Learn more about Suzanne and her books at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com!

The Waiting is the next stand alone story in The Lancaster Secrets Collection and follows in the footsteps of the best-selling, The Choice. The Waiting is in stores now and to celebrate Suzanne is hosting The Waiting KINDLE Giveaway.

One Grand Prize winner will receive a Kindle preloaded with Suzanne Woods Fisher titles and a Amazon.com gift certificate! The Prize Pack (valued at over $185.00) includes:

* A brand new KINDLE, Free 3G, 6", Latest Generation * The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher * The Waiting by Suzanne Woods Fisher * A $15 dollar Amazon.com Gift Certificate

To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest. Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on October 28th at Suzanne's Lancaster Secrets Book Club Party.

Join Suzanne for the Lancaster Secrets Book Club Party on October 28th! She’ll be announcing the winner of the The Waiting KINDLE Giveaway, hosting a book club discussion of The Waiting and The Choice, and giving away copies of both books and HEAPs of readerly prizes! Be sure to join us on Thursday, October 28th at 5:00 PM PST (6:00 MST, 7:00 CST & 8 EST) at Suzanne’s Author Page.

Getting Up to Speed (Racer)

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 03:12:47 +0100

I had a baby and time seemed to slow down for me and Violet and fam but the outside world had the audacity to keep on keeping on. Here’s the news:

Boogie is now potty trained! She started the weekend before her second birthday and now she’s got it down. I’m ridiculously proud of her.

Mason’s freelance work has picked up, praise Yahweh, he’s currently in Colorado right now.

Atlas Takes Aim has been on mini-hold while Joel, Mason and I adjust to the new chillins. It’s funny; when we all get together we are a force to be reckoned with. (I mean, come on there used to be just four of us and now there are eight, it’s crazy!) Joel has lovingly dubbed the kids “The Congregation”.

I won a scholarship to a writer’s conference held by the CLASS folks in Abiquiu in New Mexico for $400. The funny part? I still need to raise $700 to be able to go. Oh the hilarity. Read my essay and my journey to raise the moola here 700in6.blogspot.com.

So what's been going on with you?

Introducing Violet December!

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 04:23:36 +0100

On Tuesday, August 25^th Violet December made her grand entrance. She was born at home (God bless birthing tubs!) and weighed in at 7 pounds 2 oz.

She is a super mellow baby. She is beautiful and she is mine. :)

Who Uses Time Travel to Open a Coffee Shop?

Sat, 09 Oct 2010 22:09:10 +0100

Hey Cats,
This is a guest post by my hubs and fellow writer Mason Ian Bundschuh. Check him out at MasonBundschuh.com cuz he's cool.
Smiles to ya!
~ billie :)

A free copy of this book was provided to me by Thomas Nelson for review purposes.

I must admit, I am a huge fan of Stephen Lawhead’s Arthurian series. They were one of my first independent fantasy reads when I was a youngster and remain monoliths of my formative reading years. So I was excited when Billie asked me to review Mr. Lawhead’s newest release, The Skin Map.

The Skin Map is a Sci-Fi adventure book, first and foremost. In it, the main character the main character has the unique knack of slipping into alternate universes which on the surface seem like our own, but in fact are infinite possible alternative histories.

While I enjoyed the book it never quite reaches the resonance and compelling vigor of Lawhead’s previous works. It’s full of meticulous historical detail (and a surprisingly interesting sub-plot involving a coffeehouse in Prague), but by attempting a more casual, loose, commercial urban fantasy tone, the author, who is at his best when the scope is epic and the history sweeping, cannot keep the narrative from feeling somewhat telescoped.

It was a fast read, with Lawhead’s historical research giving depth to the setting. But the stakes just aren’t big enough. The main crisis for the protagonist is ostensibly to rescue his not-quite-likeable-and-admittedly-dull girlfriend who he managed to lose in a time/space rift. Why bother? He’s a newly-minted time-traveler. Who has time to go find a girl who you wanted to dump a few chapters ago? I certainly wasn’t satisfied with the clichéd sci-fi answer given: “If we don’t find her, it could alter history!” (in an alternate universe whose history is already, by nature, altered).

Another critique is the somewhat 2 dimensional nature of his characters. Occasionally their motives and actions don’t feel compelling because I don’t have a strong enough sense of who they are (His ear for romantic frisson, in particular, is tin).

The Skin Map is the first in a new series and I will give the others a fair shot because me and Stephen have history together, and I want to see if the weak points of the first book are balanced or corrected by the grander story unfolding.

A Pleasant Diversion in 1886

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 23:15:54 +0100

A free copy of this book was provided to me by Bethany House for review purposes.

Masquerade is a mix of the Prince and the Pauper, Titanic and bits and pieces of several Jane Austen tales. Set in 1886, it tells the story of Charlotte, a self-centered but well meaning young Brit, and Dora her maid and friend. When Charlotte faces an arranged marriage to an American she’s never met, she convinces Dora to trade places with her in the hopes of both of them finding better lives in America. For Dora, it means living like royalty, for Lottie, a chance at finding true love and adventure.

This book makes for fun, light reading. The historical details make the reading interesting and the pace of the novel moves quickly. My only complaints are that Charlotte never goes back to the pawn shop (you’ll understand once you read the book—it’s a scene you’ll have wanted to read too) and things came together a little conviently toward the ending. The author also seems to have channeled one of Jane Austen’s lesser writing traits by wrapping up everything too quickly. Otherwise Masquerade is a lighthearted way to spend a few hours.

Winners of the itunes gift cards & Atlas Takes Aim CDs!

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 02:24:15 +0100

Our lucky winners were Renee form Georgia and Nancy from North Carolina! They will both enjoy a $15 itunes gift card and my band Atlas Takes Aim's new CD The Way Out Is Through. Congratulations to you both!

A nice devotional, but not for me

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 02:20:22 +0100

This book was provided to me by Thomas Nelson for the purposes of review.

Jesus Calling – Deluxe Edition: Enjoying Peace in His Presence is a devotion by date book. You flip to the date and read the devotion. These devotions are the thoughts and impressions Sarah Young received during her own quiet times. They are written from the perspective of God talking to her.

My first impression apon receiving Jesus Calling was how beautiful this little book is. It made me excited to read it and would present well as a gift. I’ve drifted away from a strong personal time of reflection with God in the last few years and have been trying to make it a habit once more so I’m interested in any tools that might help me out. I have to say there is nothing wrong with this book, I just couldn’t help feeling that I might get more out of my devotions by asking God what he wanted to say to me on August 2^nd, rather than what he had to say to our friend Sarah. It was a feeling I just couldn’t shake.

So this book wasn’t for me. Maybe it would work better for you or someone you know.

Top 4 Things Pregnant Women Do Not Want to Hear You Say

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:05:48 +0100

In order to educate the masses and keep my less than a month to deliver self sane, I now present:
The Top 4 Things Pregnant Women Do NOT Want to Hear You Say!

4. "Are you having twins?"
This is probably the least offensive of things pregnant women do not want to hear you say because hey, you never know. Still, it's no fun to be asked this when you are 99% sure you're not having twins and someone just called you an extra fat pregnant cow. In kind of a well meaning way, but still.

3. "You haven't had that baby yet?"
Maybe I did and now I'm just really weird shaped and fat. Thank you for reminding me, you heartless person you.

2. "Did you swallow a basketball/watermelon?"
Um, no. Did you skip biology class? Unless you are an infant, this is not funny so do not say it. Also, she's heard it already, like a million times. Trust me.

and the number one thing a woman with child does not want to hear you say...

1. "You look like you're gonna pop!"
Holy crabby patty. This is another one you can guarantee she's already heard a million times, poor thing. No one wants adjectives applied to them that also can be used to describe pimples. Really. Bite your tongue.

Here gentle reader are some things you should say to every pregnant woman you meet. Chase her down if you have to; it will make her day.

3. "How's the temperature for you?"
So this one's partially on me. Unless we are related by blood, I would rather sit and swelter than ask if you would mind turning down your AC to accommodate me. The only problem is I live in Las Vegas, where the outside temps can soar to 116 degrees and most people keep their houses pretty toasty as to not have to sell their first born to Nevada Power to pay the cooling bill. God bless those of you who ask this.

2. "Can I help you with that ____?" (door/jug of water/loose shoelace?")
Holy Gecko, yes you can.

and the number one thing a pregnant woman wants to hear you say...

1. "You look great!"
This is the most awesome-est thing to hear when you've gained 20-50 pounds, can't walk right and can't see your toes. Say this to every pregnant woman you see. They will love you forever. You'll be like the pied piper of pregnancy.
If she doesn't look great and you are a bad liar, don't try it, but do try to find something flattering to say about her looks: "Wow, you've got that great pregnancy luster to your hair/ healthy skin glow/ something else flattering!"

Yah-zah.

Win Atlas Takes Aim's CD and a $15 itunes Gift Card!

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:04:24 +0100

My band Atlas Takes Aim is giving away our CD The Way Out Is Through and $15 itunes gift cards (just in case you thought the title of this post was a tricky ploy to mislead you).

Well I'm pretty excited about it and if you've heard our tunes maybe you are too, or maybe you think we suck but a $15 gift card would be nice.

Whatever the case, we've got you covered! We make family friendly space rock that our fans have compared to U2 and Jimmy Eat World. Last week we gave away a free album download in honor of Joel's son being born and we're going to do it again when my little one arrives in August.

For now though, we’re giving away our album along with a $15 itunes gift card for two of you lucky music lovers. All you have to do is listen to some of the tracks in our media player at the bottom of www.AtlasTakesAim.com and tell us what band or artist you think we sound like. Easy cheesy lemon squeezy right?

After you leave your comment with who you think we sound like, get some bonus entries by liking us on facebook, signing up for our monthly email (if you’re already signed up that counts!) and/or tweeting about this giveaway (limit two per day please). You can copy this one or write your own:

Atlas Takes Aim is giving away copies of their CD & $15 itunes gift cards! Enter to win http://tinyurl.com/24rvu8s ENDS 7/29 @AtlasTakesAim

Leave one comment per entry and we’ll pick two people at random to win. Want even more chances? You can also enter at the Atlas Takes Aim blog!

Contest closes on July 29th at midnight PST. Two winners will be emailed and receive Atlas Takes Aim’s album The Way Out Is Through via mail and a $15 itunes Gift Card also by mail. Apple is not a sponsor of this giveaway (but wouldn’t that be cool if they were?). If winner(s) don’t respond in 72 hours new winner(s) will be drawn.

Thanks for entering and good luck!

~ billie the girl