What Lies Within - by Karen Ball

Nothing’s going to stop Kyla…

until the ground crumbles beneath her feet.

Kyla Justice has arrived. Her company, Justice Construction, is one of the most critically acclaimed, commercially successful companies in the Pacific Northwest. And yet, something is missing. Not until she’s called on to build a center for inner-city kids does she realize what it is: her sense of purpose. Now nothing can stop her, not the low budget, not supply problems, not gang opposition, not her boyfriend’s suggestion that she sell her business and marry him–and most especially not that disagreeable Rafael Murphy.

Rafe Murphy understands battle. Wounded in action, this Force Recon Marine carries the scars–and the nightmares–to prove it. Though he can’t fight overseas any longer, he’s found his place as a warrior in the civilian world. So he soldiers on, trusting that one of these days, God will reveal to him why Rafe survived the ambush in Iraq. That day has arrived.

Kyla and Rafe both discover that determination alone won’t carry them through danger and challenges. When gang violence threatens their very foundations, there’s only one way to survive: rely on each other, be real–and surrender to God. In other words, risk everything…

Author Bio:

Karen Ball , bestselling novelist, is also the editor behind several of today's bestselling Christian novels. Her love for words was passed down through her father and grandfather - both pastors who shared God's truth through sermons and storytelling. Blending humor, poignancy, and honesty, Karen's writing style is a powerful force for revealing God's truth. She lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, and their "kids," Bodhan, a mischief-making Siberian husky, and Dakota, an Aussie-terrier mix who should have been named "Destructo."

My review:

This story was simply amazing! I could NOT put it down. I actually got mad when I had to go back to work and stop reading during my lunch break! =) I looked forward to this book every chance I had to read. The plot was compelling, the characters realistic and inspiring, the themes powerful... I hoped, cried, laughed, and screamed right along with all of them! This is definitely a new addition on my top list of favorite novels ever.

Purchase your own copy of this amazing story here!

Taped, wrapped and ready to rip!

I'm DONE!!! I must brag. I have finished ALL my Christmas shopping! The good news is I spent 3 hours Saturday afternoon sitting on the floor, wrapping all the gifts. The bad news is I spent 3 hours Saturday afternoon sitting on the floor, wrapping all the gifts! Ouch! I'm starting to realize that being pregnant means I can't do certain things anymore! (like sitting on the floor for 3 hours, wrapping gifts!) Unfortunately, these little tidbits of info come AFTER the fact. Realization dawned later that night when I had shooting pain down my left hip and into my...backside. But that's okay - a sore muscle in light of the fact that I'M DOOOOONNNNEEEE is worth it. =)

What is it about wrapping Christmas gifts that is so fun? Even though its frustrating at times, attempting to make straight creases or trying to hold extra pieces of tape on various fingers until the opportune moment (and there is ALWAYS that one odd-shaped box that is impossible to wrap!), I love it! Something about the glittery bows, the ribbon curled by scissors (how fun is THAT to do!!) the bright penguin or snowman-printed paper, the colorful nametags...and best of all, imagining the looks on my friends/family member's face when they open their surprise!

Wrapping gifts reminds me how fun it is to give. To truly give, freely, without expecting anything in return. Sure, most of the time, I can assume the people I buy for probably have something for me too, but its just as much fun to buy for those who might not. I really enjoy making others happy, thinking about their gifts and putting thought into who might really like what. It takes time and patience, and of course I'm guilty at times of just finding something in the store that would "do", but generally, I like to make my Christmas gifts count. Make them really mean something, be a memory. I get more excited about that than about opening my own presents!

So how about you? Are your gifts this year taped, wrapped, and ready to rip? Any particular present you just can't WAIT to see opened? Can't wait to see the joy or surprise or happy-tears on a beloved's face? (but don't tell me if the recipient might see this blog!)

Bluegrass Peril - by Virginia Smith

WHO KILLED HER BOSS?

Local police had tagged single mom Becky Dennison as their prime suspect. But she'd only been in the wrong place at the wrong time...admittedly, with her boss's lifeless body. Sure it looked bad, but Becky had no motive for killing...even if she had opportunity.When the director of the retirement farm for thoroughbred champions is murdered, Becky Dennison teams up with the handsome manager of a neighboring horse farm, Scott Lewis, to find her boss's killer. Soon the amateur detective are hot on the trail of the murderer...even as their feelings for each other deepen.The amateur sleuths uncover a trail of clues that lead them into the intricate society of Kentucky's elite thoroughbred breeding industry. They soon find themselves surrounded by the mint julep set - jealous southern belles and intensely competitive horse breeders - in a high-stakes game of danger, money, and that famous southern pride.And for Becky and Scott, this race on the Kentucky tracks has the greatest stakes of all: life or death!

About the author:

Virginia Smith left her job as a corporate director to become a full time writer and speaker in the summer of 2005. Since then she has contracted eight novels and numerous articles and short stories.She writes contemporary humorous novels for the Christian market, including her debut, Just As I Am (Kregel Publications, March 2006) and her new release, Murder by Mushroom (Steeple Hill, August 2007). Her short fiction has been anthologized, and her articles have been published in a variety of Christian magazines.An energetic speaker, Virginia loves to exemplify God’s truth by comparing real-life situations to well-known works of fiction, such as her popular talk, “Biblical Truths in Star Trek.”

Learn more about Virginia and her books here!

To buy this exciting story, click here!

Christmas Quiz! =)

Just a little contagious holiday fun...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? WRAPPING PAPER!! I love shiny paper and big bows. Unless its a Snoopy bag, then its okay =)

2. REAL OR FAKE TREE? We use a fake tree - no bugs, or mess, or allergies. Though a real one would be a nice change one year. We'll see!

3. When do you put up the tree? Weekend after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? New Years weekend, usually.

5. Do you like eggnog? Nope

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Oh, wow. How to narrow it down? Maybe the big Barbie house my dad made me and my sister one year. Or my pink bike with the streamers on the handlebars.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, its actually Peanuts (Snoopy and the gang gathered around a baby Jesus! So cute!)

8. Hardest person to buy for? My grandfather - he has everything!

9. Easiest person to buy for? My mom or sister

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can't really think of one. Maybe a sweater I never wore?

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail! Old school is the best for this =)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The newer version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and of course, Its Christmas Charlie Brown!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Around Thanksgiving, most years.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes! lol Sad to admit.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Dressing. I love my mom's dressing! And every Christmas morning she makes sausuage balls and cheese biscuits. Delicious!!

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I like both! Ours is a pre-lit tree with white lights, and its nice because then the ornaments stand out more.

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night! Its the best. So powerful and moving...

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We are in town but usually are driving from my parents house to my grandparents house to my in-law's house....whew. Next year that'll be interesting with a baby!!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Of course!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I like angels, but we have a red star. It was all I could find at the time at Target. Its pretty though!

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve we do gifts at my grandma's house, but Christmas morning is reserved for gifts with my immediate family and my hubby and his family.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Traffic!!! Everyone trying to get to the same store I am trying to get to! =P

23. What do you love most about Christmas? The warm feeling you have inside! Sounds cheesy, but it's just true! There is a certain magical quality in the air, as if the presence of God on earth is just a little stronger right now, and is evident through people's tendency to be more compassionate and caring this time of year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas Season!

Love Me if You Must - by Nicole Young

Book Description:

Professional renovator Tish Amble finds evidence of foul play in a Victorian house. With a police officer next door Tish has her hands full. Will she discover the truth before its too late?


From the Back Cover:

A run-down Victorian to renovate, a past to leave behindwho has time for romanceor murder? Patricia Amble, Tish to her friends, has gotten her life together. She's renovating an old, rambling Victorian house in a small town outside of Detroit, and the fixer-upper should net her a big profit when she resells. Romance is right next door, with two attractive neighbors vying for her affection. But even their persistent attentions cant dispel the sense of unease Tish feels. Voices whisper out of nowhere . . . and something odd is going on in the basement. Soon, Tish begins to question her decision to buy the old house. When a dead body turns up her own dark secrets make her a prime suspect in the current chaos. And is either of her attractive neighbors really who he says he is? What is going on just under the surface of this sleepy small town?

Find out in this engaging debut of the Patricia Amble Mystery series!


Author Bio:

Nicole Young has a degree in communications and has earned several awards for speechwriting and presentation. In 2004 she won the Noble Award for the Best First Chapter from the American Christian Romance Writers. Nicole lives with her family in Michigan. This is her first novel.

My review as posted on Amazon:

What a fantastic surprise! I picked up this novel by the recommendation of a friend at a writer's conference last September, not knowing a thing about the story, the plot, or the author, and...wow! Was I in for a treat! This chilly, creepy, crawly story will leave you wrought with equal measures of giggles and shivers. I thoroughly enjoyed this first person suspense novel of Tish Amble, who specializes in fixing up Victorian homes, discovering quite the shock in the basement of her new work-in-progress. Tish sets out on a reluctant journey of mystery, ghosts, and (even worse!) gasp - love!!