Random Old Pictures

You know it's bad when you're going through your pictures and you find some from almost three years ago. Bear with me - I think the grandparents will enjoy looking at these, and I like seeing these memories as well.

September 2012

November 2013

 

Thanksgiving with our Eden family:

February 2014

Hearts Made Whole (Review)

This review is for the book "Hearts Made Whole" by Jody Hedlund. This is the first novel by Jody Hedlund I have ever read and I really enjoyed it. The setting is in the 1800's, and Caroline Taylor is holding down the position of lighthouse keeper after her father's death. The problem is, although she is very good at her job, women are not supposed to hold such positions. It does not take long for the inspector to hire a man to take over. Unfortunately, Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran who has physical and emotional issues he is dealing with. He really is not fit to take over the lighthouse position. Caroline works with him, but in the process, their lives are put in danger by someone who seems to feel that Caroline should leave town. Also, they find out soon enough that they have feelings for each other also. Their journey includes romance, emotional healing, and danger.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Don't miss Jody Hedlund's new book, Hearts Made Whole, a story of loss, forgiveness, hope, and true love set in 1865 Michigan. When Ryan's failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he’s in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he’s unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Can Caroline forgive the hurting man who costs her the role she loves?




Celebrate the release of Hearts Made Whole by entering to win an Afternoon at the Beach prize pack and RSVPing to Jody's June 23rd author chat party!







 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Hearts Made Whole


• A picnic basket set


• A beach bag


• Flip flops


• A beach towel

One second-place winner will receive:

• A copy of Hearts Made Whole


• A lighthouse journal

One third-place winner will receive:

• A copy of Hearts Made Whole


• A lighthouse necklace

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 23rd.Winner will be announced June 23rd at Jody's Facebook party. RSVP here!

The Proposal at Siesta Key (Review)

This review is for the book "The Proposal at Siesta Key" by Shelley Shepard Gray. This is the second book in the Amish Brides of Pinecraft series. I have read the first book in this series, and I really enjoyed it. The community of Pinecraft is a bit different from other Amish communities you may read about in other Amish fiction books. I recognized characters from the first book, and although you could certainly read this as a stand-alone, I enjoyed seeing those characters and watching their progression on their journeys in this book as well.

In this book, Penny Troyer is a shy daughter of overprotective parents. It just so happens that right as she begins to bend the household rules a bit, she meets Michael Knoxx, who is famous for being an amputee who is also a traveling evangelist. Over time she and Michael form a relationship, and they have to figure this out while taking into account their past and present situations.

I enjoyed this book and really like Gray's writing style. I recommend this book.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Fatal Trauma (Review)

This review is for the book "Fatal Trauma" by Richard L. Mabry. This is the second book by Mabry that I have read and I really enjoyed both books. This story begins with excitement and does not slow down. In the beginning of the book, a dangerous gunman enters the hospital where Mark and Kelly are working. He takes Kelly hostage and insists that someone treat his brother. Acting quickly, Mark and Kelly go to work, and a shoot-out ensues involving a hospital security guard. Unfortunately it turns out that the two brothers are part of a drug cartel from Mexico. Suddenly Mark, Kelly, and all others who were present in that situation are targets. The rest of the book follows their story of trying to stay alive and figure out how to get all the right people into police custody.

The only qualm I have about the whole book is this random relationship between Mark and his ex-girlfriend from high school, Gwen. He brings in Gwen as his lawyer, and suddenly thinks there may be some chance of kindling a romance between the two of them, while he is also going back and forth between two other ladies. I felt that bringing in Gwen as another love interest was unnecessary and did not really add to the plot of the book. Other than that I loved the story and the characters. I want to read more from Mabry.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Can Mark find out who the shooter is before he becomes the next victim? You won't want to miss the suspense in Richard Mabry's new book, Fatal Trauma. Facing an adversary whose desires are dark and efforts are ruthless, Mark finds himself under suspicion as a killer, yet still a potential victim. When he turns to his high school sweetheart, attorney Gwen Woodruff, for help, Kelly helplessly looks on, as she hides her own feelings for the good doctor.




Richard is celebrating the release of Fatal Trauma by giving away The Perfect Prescription Prize Pack!




 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $25 cash card


• A copy of Fatal Trauma


• A bag of coffee (because caffeine can cure a lot)


• A medical-inspired coffee mug


• Syringe pens


• A box of medical-inspired cookies (because sugar can cure what caffeine doesn't)

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 20th. The winner will be announced June 22nd on Richard's blog.

As Waters Gone By (Review)

This book review is for the book "As Waters Gone By" by Cynthia Ruchti. In this book, Emmalyn Ross and her husband Max are really struggling to keep their marriage together. It is particularly a struggle because Max is in prison. After not speaking for a few years, Emmalyn strikes out on her own for a new beginning. What she finds in her new beginning is hope and redemption. Even when a monkey wrench is thrown into the equation in the form of Max's 12-year old daughter (aptly named "Hope"), the journey still continues down a beautiful path.

I enjoyed the characters of this novel and their spunky personalities. I felt the end tied up really quickly and I would have liked a bit more of an epilogue, but I liked the story quite a lot.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Can a marriage survive when separated by hundreds of miles and impenetrable prison walls? Find out in Cynthia Ruchti's new book, As Waters Gone By. Emmalyn and Max Ross may have to endure the fight of their lives to mend the tattered fabric of their marriage. His actions ensured she could never be a mother and put him in prison, giving their relationship a court-mandated five-year time-out.




Cynthia is celebrating the release of As Waters Gone By by giving away a summer of fun to one lucky reader!







 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $100 cash card to put toward your trip to Madeline Island (discover the beauty of the setting of As Waters Gone By) or your summer vacation destination


• A book-club set (10 copies of As Waters Gone By and a downloadable starter kit) so you can start your own summer book club

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 10th. The winner will be announced June 11th on Cynthia's blog.

 

Plus, now through mid-July, sign up for Cynthia's mailing list for a five-day virtual tour around Madeline Island for the chance to win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack. Each day begins with an email from Cynthia that introduces where you'll be “visiting” that day (all key places from As Waters Gone By) with various interactive elements, including“I wish you were here” postcards, trivia quizzes, and an ongoing Island scavenger hunt. The person who interacts the most will win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack (valued at more than $200). That includes:

• The letterpress block Hope sign from DaySpring


• A set of 6 Hemmed in Hope notecards showing a hope-themed Bible verse


• A leather “I can’t unravel, I’m hemmed in hope” journal


• Signed copies of each of Cynthia’s books, fiction and non-fiction

Join Odyssey Adventure Club for a Summer Challenge and Movie Ticket Giveaway


 

Summer . . . a time that kids pine for during the school year and parents may anticipate with something akin to dread. Fearing refrains of “I’m bored” or hours spent on the couch playing video games can make moms and dads nervous about the long, hot months stretching before their family. Focus on the Family’s Odyssey Adventure Club offers an answer, encouraging parents and kids to embrace faith and fun with the Take the Plunge Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse magazine’s Summer Challenge.

Take the Plunge

The Take the Plunge challenge features:

• Master Mind Monday — commit God’s Word to memory


• Ways to Play Wednesday — spend active time with your family


• Faith Sharing Friday — share God’s love with others

The Take the Plunge challenge helps families memorize at least five verses, engage in five activities together and share their faith with five people before the school doors swing open again. Those who sign up will receive an 11-week plan with suggested verses to memorize, activity ideas (such as visiting a war memorial) and ways to witness (such as passing out popsicles at the park with an invitation to your church), making this challenge the perfect tool for parents who want summer to be a time of spiritual and social stimulation for their kids.



"Research tells us that the more senses we involve when teaching children a principle, the more likely it is to stick,” Plugged In editor and Adventures in Odyssey podcast host Bob Smithouser says. “Bible memorization by itself is great, but it becomes even more powerful when put into action. Know it. Share it. Live it.”



Families who sign up to take part in the challenge at www.whitsend.org/summer will have access to weekly verses to memorize, ideas for family fun and suggestions for service projects that allow a family to share their faith. Additionally, anyone who signs up to participate in the Take the Plunge challenge will receive a free scene from the latest Adventures in Odyssey album, as well as a free story from the book Strange Journey Back.

A Bonus Contest

From June 1–5, tell us in 30 words or less how you are going to take the plunge to deepen your faith this summer for a chance to win a family four-pack of tickets to the theatrical release of Beyond The Mask June 5th weekend and free access to the Odyssey Adventure Club all summer long (June, July, August—total $85 prize value)!



Send your entry to contests@whitsend.org. Two winners will be chosen to win each day June 1-5 and announced on the Adventures in Odyssey Facebook Page.



Entries will be chosen based on creativity and writing skill. Rules are available at whitsend.org.