Book Feature: The Bridegrooms by Allison Pittman

Since I have fallen behind a little with my reviews, I thought I would do some book features to spotlight some of the books I have for review. I still plan on reading them, it's just that since life has gotten in the way the past month - I missed the scheduled posting. But these are books that shouldn't be missed so I will start with: 

The Bridegrooms by Allison Pittman

Publisher: Waterbrook Multnomah

Publish Date: April 13, 2010

Paperback, 352 pages

About the Book:
It Only Takes an Instant for Love to Strike
Tragedy hits the Allenhouse family on a hot summer night in Ohio when a mother of four vanishes. Eight-year-old Vada virtually grows up overnight and raises her three younger sisters while her father loses himself in his medical practice in the basement of their home.

Now, Vada is a grown woman, still making her home with her father and sisters. Her days are spent serving as an errand girl for Cleveland’s fledgling amateur orchestra; her evenings with Garrison Walker, her devoted, if passionless, beau.

Dizzying change occurs the day the Brooklyn Bridegrooms come to town to play the Cleveland Spiders and a line drive wallops the head of a spectator. The fan is whisked to the Allenhouse parlor, and questions swirl about the anonymous, unconscious man.

Suddenly, the subdued house is filled with visitors, from a flirtatious, would-be sports writer to the Bridegrooms’ handsome star hitter to the guilt-ridden ballplayer who should have caught the stray shot. The medical case brings Dr. Allenhouse a frustration and helplessness he hasn’t felt since his wife’s disappearance. Vada’s sisters are giddy at the bevy of possible suitors. And Vada’s life is awakened amid the super-charged atmosphere of romantic opportunity.

About the Author:
Allison Pittman is the author of Stealing Home, the Crossroads of Grace series, and her nonfiction debut, Saturdays With Stella. A former high-school English teacher, she serves as director of the theater arts group at her church. Allison makes her home in Texas with her husband and their three boys.(From Amazon.com)

Visit Allison's website.
Visit her Meet Me at the Crossroads Blog.
Find her on Facebook.

FTC Information: I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Book Mini-Review and Giveaway: Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann

 Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann

Publisher: Waterbrook Press

Publish Date: May 4, 2010

Paperback,  320 pages

My Review:
If you want excitement and suspense with interesting characters then this book is for you.  I'm about halfway through it and I'm enthralled.  It is a little gruesome, but I don't typically mind that.  This is also a Christian suspense novel, but the "religion" in it doesn't knock  you over.  All the characters, even the church-goers act like normal people with normal problems and average lives just like the real world. I'm completely intrigued at where this one is going.  So check out the summary below and stay tuned next week for my full review, and also check out the giveaway below.


About the Book:

An inseparable bond.
An insatiable force.

Battling his own personal demons, Police Chief Jonah Westfall knows the dark side of life and has committed himself to eradicating it. When a pair of raccoons are found mutilated in Redford, Colorado, Jonah investigates the gruesome act, knowing the strange event could escalate and destroy the tranquility of his small mountain town. With a rising drug threat and never-ending conflict with Tia Manning, a formidable childhood friend with whom he has more than a passing history, Jonah fights for answers—and his fragile sobriety.

But he can’t penetrate every wound or secret—especially one fueled by a love and guilt teetering on madness.

From best-selling author Kristen Heitzmann comes a spellbinding tale of severed connections and the consequences of life lived alone.

About the Author (from Goodreads.com):
Kristen learned to read at age four in the sit-on-the-floor school her father taught at home. That was the start of her love affair with stories. Skipping kindergarten, she went to first grade at five and dove into learning with a passion. In elementary school, she wrote and illustrated her own miniature books and the highlight of the week was the mile and a half walk to the book mobile.

A bit of a tomboy, she and her brother played numerous make believe games of cowboys and Indians. She played the Indian because the toy bow really shot arrows (a distinct advantage over caps.) Other early interests were catching frogs and exploring, playing baseball and football, and any form of art she could put her hand to. She studied violin from age seven to seventeen, taught herself piano, guitar, recorder and tambourine.

Of her three main interests, art, music and writing, she chose to study English at the University of Colorado and thrived on Creative Writing and Literature classes. She married her husband Jim, and turned her energy to building a family. They have four children whom they have home schooled for all or most of their education. Kristen is a music minister with the ecumenical covenant community People of Praise.

Once she realized the stories in her head were truly a calling from the Lord, she made writing not just a passion, but a ministry. She has written seven historical fiction novels as part of the The Rocky Mountain Legacy series and the Diamond of the Rockies series. Most recently, she has written seven contemporary fiction novels: Twilight, A Rush of Wings, The Still of Night, Halos, Secrets, Unforgotten, and Freefall.

Writing is not only a passion for Kristen, it is a commission, her way of sharing the themes of grace and forgiveness and dependence on Christ. She believes God gave her a voice, and she joyfully uses the talent for His glory.



Audio Interview with Kristen Heitzmann about Indivisible can be found here.
Follow Kristen Heitzmann online at www.KristenHeitzmann.com  

Giveaway:
Waterbrook Press has given me 1 copy of Indivisible to giveaway to the readers of this blog. Simply comment to enter.  Additional entries for following (rss, email, blogger, networked blogs, etc.), tweeting (1 per day), posting on your blog (sidebar is fine).  Please comment for each entry - it makes the accounting easier.   Giveaway open to US/Canada only.  Don't worry if you are first or last - I'm starting to randomize all entries before using random.org to draw a number - so it's more like drawing a name out of a hat.  Giveaway runs through April 21, 2010.


FTC Information: I received this book from Waterbrook Press for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Another Interesting Article from PW: Amazon to Drop Free Books from Kindle Bestseller List

Check out the Publisher's Weekly article by Rachel Deahl here. (I don't want to step on any copyright toes by publishing it here).

So what do you think - will splitting the Amazon bestseller lists between the ones people are buying and the ones people are downloading for free make a difference?

I think it will be interesting to look at and  hopefully it won't hurt the promotional benefits of the free books.  I admit I love the free books especially when it's an earlier book in the series that is free and trying to promote the newest book.  I have no qualms about buying books for my Kindle and love the free books to try new authors.

So I guess we'll see how it goes whenever they split the list.

Sewing Books on my wishlist

So my wonderful fellow readers - are any of you sewers as well?  I have been on a sewing kick as of late and just received some money for Mother's Day so I was perusing Amazon for sewing books.  I have a wishlist and I thought I would share what I have seen around with you.  Also if you do sew - what is your favorite sewing book or what is on your wishlist?  I would love to add more books to mine so if you know of a great book please share it in the comments.

So here are a few books on my current wishlist:

Vogue Sewing Revised and Updated

A trusted classic since 1975, Vogue® Sewing has remained a consistent bestseller and sewer’s favorite. Now it’s been fully revised and updated, with the latest information and all-new photographs and illustrations, introduction, and page layout.  From choosing a machine to mastering couture techniques, it covers everything stitchers need to know to make professional and fashionable garments. It’s certain to remain the premier sourcebook for sewers everywhere.

This technique-rich Vogue’® manual contains comprehensive instructions for understanding pattern markings, selecting fabrics and notions, hand-stitching and mending, pressing, and measuring to fit.  Everything’s beautifully laid out, with charts and detailed explanations. And as it teaches, it also steers you to the right project for your sewing level, with a plethora of photos that showcase different options for both beginners and those more expert with a needle.

PatternReview.com 1,000 Clever Sewing Shortcuts and Tips

Saw this on Patternreview.com this morning and I want it - trying to decide whether to preorder it or now.

This book contains the best hands-on insider sewing tips from the popular sewing website PatternReview.com, a community of more than 170,000 members. The entries are collected from the website’s enormous database of members’ shared comments and advice, rated by hits and reviews. Also included are five special how-to features by PatternReview.com's master teachers and pattern designers, who regularly conduct online chats and workshops (including Kenneth King, Susan Khalje, Sarah Veblen, Shannon Gifford, and Anna Mazur).

 

How to Use, Adapt, and Design Sewing Patterns by Lee Hollahan

This one looks good to me - has anyone read it or heard more about it - it has one 5-star review on Amazon.com.

Making clothes is fun, fashionable, and thrifty but how can you find a pattern that fits you just right? And how can you adjust it if it doesn't?

This book shows you how to get the most from sewing patterns—from choosing the right size to understanding all the different markings and translating flat shapes into wearable garments. You will learn how to change the shaping, length, and detailing to suit your own body shape, taste, and style.

Once you understand how to adapt a store-bought pattern you are well on your way to designing your own clothes. You'll understand how to make a new pattern out of a ready-made store-bought one, or draft your own from scratch.

 

Fit for Real People: Sew Great Clothes Using Any Pattern by Pati Palmer, Marta Alto

Presented in a new edition that adds updated pattern industry news and revised rules for selecting pattern size, this easy and practical fitting system requires no measuring, no drafting skills, no muslin mock-ups—and it works with all brands of tissue paper patterns. Real people of all ages are featured in photographs that explain the steps of cutting out pattern pieces, pinning them together, and adjusting the fit. Special attention is paid to tricky challenges such as accommodating a full bustline, adjusting sleeves, or reworking a garment to make it more flattering, as well as alternative fitting methods such as draping and computer design. Metric conversion charts, charts for comparing pattern company bodice measurements, and a history of American dress design (Just where did size 10 come from?) make this book a versatile reference.

One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects by Rebecca yaker, Patricia Hoskins

One-Yard Wonders will delight anyone who has ever fallen for fabric - from the novice sewing enthusiast to the lifelong seamstress. The book presents a delightful array of simple, stylish projects that can be made with just a single yard of fabric - from apparel to accessories, from plush toys to pet beds, from baby items to bags, and from home decor to "Happy Birthday" banners. Projects have a hip,contemporary flair, and most can be completed in a few hours. For each project, the book provides a full-color photograph, easy step-by-step instructions, and simple illustrations. Templates and pattern pieces are also included wherever needed, making this collection of 101 projects the best sewing deal ever.

Great fabric demands to be purchased, even if it's just a  yard or two at a time. But such tantalizing textiles should never hide in a closet; One-Yard Wonders promises gift-worthy solutions for that stash of irresistible fabric-store buys. At last, it's time to stop storing and start sewing!

Winner Catch-Up

In an effort to play catch-up on my blog after sickness and just plain busyness, here are two giveaways that I haven't announced winners for yet:

Weekend Wondering from April 17th - thank you so much each of you for your wonderful ideas for guest posts - you all had great ideas and ones I will keep in mind in the next few weeks as I plan for the summer.  The winner from the post is:

Fredamans

Also I had 2 copies of PACE: The 12-minute Fitness Revolution by Al Sears, MD to giveaway and the winners are:

Edmontonjb

Stacy

I will be contacting all of you, but if  you see this and haven't heard from me,  please contact me with your mailing address and I will get these in the mail to you.

CF Fundraising Winners

Thank all of you so much for your participation in my CF Fundraising efforts.  I raised $256 total for the team and I believe my Sister-in-law's team (which I was a part of) brought in over $2800 for the event.  This was our first year with her hosting the event on her own, so much was learned, but we brought in a nice amount of money for the CF Foundation and that is awesome!

So since there were actually more prizes than entrants I decided to have a grand prize winner who gets their pick of two of the prizes. And the first and second prize winner also get two of the prizes.

The grand prize winner is:  

Tori (Book Faery)  

I contacted her and she wanted both of the Amazon.com GC, one from me ($20) and one from author J.P. O'Donnell ($25)

The first place winner receives a set of the Gallagher Books from author J.P. O'Donnell and the choice of 5 books from my giveaway shelf:

Jessy

The winner of a set of Gallagher Books from author J.P. O'Donnell (which includes Fatal Gamble and Deadly Codes) and a set of the 4 Hachette Book titles is:

Bookie

The winners of the sets of the 4 Hachette Book titles (The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris, Corked by Kathryn Borel, Roses by Leila Meacham, and Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith) are:

Aik

Donnas

Thank you all for your donation and tweets that have helped to make my first fundraising attempt a success!

Also thank you very much to the wonderful J.P. O'Donnell for donating 3 of the prizes.

And thank you to Hachette Books for also donating the sets of books.

Book Tour and Review: The Queen of Palmyra by Minrose Gwin

The Queen of Palmyra by Minrose Gwin

Publisher: Harper Perennial  

Publish Date:  May 1, 201

 Trade Paperback, 392 pages

My Review:
I was thrilled to be asked to review The Queen of Palmyra by TLC Book Tours.  I had seen it around the Waiting on Wednesday meme and knew it sounded good.  I live in the south so I love the authors who write about the south.  Also this time frame is one I am somewhat unfamiliar with.  You know how history class in high school goes, you always cover the same time frame and never seem to make it past World War I, at least that was how it was in my high school.  So I have a gist of what went on in the 1960s, but not a full understanding.

The Queen of Palmyra gave me more of a feel of the 1960s in the deep south.  It was entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time.  The characters came alive for me through the words of young Florence.  I found each one interesting.  Ms. Gwin does a magnificent job with both characterization and with the descriptions and the plot too.


I don't read much of what I consider to be general fiction, but books like The Queen of Palmyra make me want to read more of it.  Real, yet entertaining, The Queen of Palmyra hooked me from the beginning to the very last word.

My Rating:  4.5/5.0

About The Queen of Palmyra

In the turbulent southern summer of 1963, Millwood’s white population steers clear of “Shake Rag,” the black section of town. Young Florence Forrest is one of the few who crosses the line. The daughter of a burial insurance salesman with dark secrets and the town’s “cake lady,” whose backcountry bootleg runs lead further and further away from a brutal marriage, Florence attaches herself to her grandparents’ longtime maid, Zenie Johnson. Named for Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, Zenie treats the unwanted girl as just another chore, while telling her stories of the legendary queen’s courage and cunning.
The more time Florence spends in Shake Rag, the more she recognizes how completely race divides her town, and her story, far from ordinary, bears witness to the truth and brutality of her times—a truth brought to a shattering conclusion when Zenie’s vibrant college-student niece, Eva Greene, arrives that fateful Mississippi summer.
Minrose Gwin’s The Queen of Palmyra is an unforgettable evocation of a time and a place in America—a nuanced, gripping story of race and identity.

About Minrose Gwin

Minrose Gwin is the author of the memoir Wishing for Snow, cited by Booklist as “eloquent” and “lyrical”—”a real life story we all need to hear.” She has written three scholarly books and coedited The Literature of the American South. She teaches contemporary fiction at UNC–Chapel Hill and, like her young protagonist, grew up in a small Mississippi town.

 

 

Minrose Gwin will be on Blog Talk Radio with Book Club Girl on Monday, May 17th at 4pm EST.

Minrose’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS

Tuesday, May 4th: five borough book review
Wednesday, May 5th: The Bluestocking Society
Monday, May 10th: Rundpinne
Tuesday, May 11th: Natty Michelle
Wednesday, May 12th: Pam’s Perspective
Wednesday, May 12th: My Reading Room
Thursday, May 13th: The Book Lady’s Blog
Monday, May 17th: Crazy for Books
Wednesday, May 19th: Staircase Wit
Thursday, May 20th: Lit and Life
Tuesday, May 25th: Dolce Bellezza
Wednesday, May 26th: Take Me Away
Thursday, May 27th: Life and Times of a “New” New Yorker
Monday, May 31st: Green Jello