Books, Movies, and Chinese Food

The True Life of the First American Lady It has been said that without George Washington, there would be no United States. But without Martha, there would be no George Washington. He called her "my other self." Who was this woman who captured the heart of our country's founder? Martha Dandridge Curtis was a wealthy, attractive widow and the mother of two small children when she was courted by, then married to the French and Indian War hero. Her new life as Martha Washington took her through blissful times at Mount Vernon, family tragedies, six years of her husband's absence during the Revolutionary War, and her position as a reluctant First Lady. As a history major, I love historical fiction. But it has to be good historical fiction, not the kind where a famous figure randomly pops up in the story. I fully appreciate it when you can tell the author has done their work by researching the entire life of their characters to bring them to life. You can feel the heartbre...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing John 3:16 Tyndale House Publishers (September 9, 2008) by Nancy Moser ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Nancy Moser is the author of three inspirational humor books and eighteen novels, including Solemnly Swear , Time Lottery , a Christy Award winner, and her latest historical, Washington's Lady . Nancy and her husband Mark live in the Midwest. She’s earned a degree in architecture, traveled extensively in Europe, and has performed in numerous theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She gives Said So Sister Seminars around the country, helping women identify their gifts as they celebrate their sisterhood. She is a fan of anything antique—humans included. Find out more at Nancy Moser.com and Sister Circles.com ABOUT THE BOOK Five people looking for a reason to keep living are about to find it in the last place they expect... In my usual "big cast" style comes a story of what happens when one man puts his faith on the line and holds ...

I was tagged by Tami from Tree Swing Reading Here's the rules for those I'm tagging. Check the list after my 6 THINGS to see if you're it then 1. Link to the person who tagged you. 2. Post the rules on your blog. 3. Write six random things about yourself. 4. Tag sixish people at the end of your post. 5. Let each person know he or she has been 6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up. 6 Random THINGS about me: 1. I was born exactly to the date, 200 years after the Treaty of Versailles was signed thus ending the American Revolution. Was this a sign that I would become a history major? 2. I own over 1500 books and only 3 bookshelves (which means the rest are in rubbermaid containers, piled on TOP of the bookcase, or stacked in piles on the floor) 3. I am getting married in exactly 9 months and I still have not found my dress yet. (Ahh) 4. I have a pug that lives back home with my parents. His full name is Pugsly Obi Wan Yoda (we got him in 1999 right when Episode 1 came ou...

*Although the books I review on my blog are almost always Christian fiction, there will be a few spotlighted regular fiction titles I will review from time to time.* Ashley Spencer considers her birthday to be the most important event next to . . well, okay, it's just the most important event, period. Hello. So when the invite list is cast and the custom embossed invitations are sent, it's a who's-who list of San Francisco's best tweens. If people don't yet know whether they are in or out, this party is sure to draw the lines of coolness in the most permanent of inks. Ashley intends to prove that there's a reason she's been at the top of the social food chain her entire life, and she's not about to be unseated by some lame website ranking. She'd also like to solve the problem of losing her boyfriend. Will all her birthday wishes come true? Or is it more like it's her party and she'll freak if she wants to? Having not read any of the other boo...

Everyone wants to make a difference in the world, but most have no idea how to maximize their impact. In The Encore Effect, best-selling author and leadership expert Mark Sanborn provides the answer. He leads readers in six practices that will move them beyond excellence to distinction and from mundane to memorable. These principles guide readers to draw on their passion and devote themselves to preparation, practice, presentation, polishing, and finally, avoiding pitfalls. When readers follow these principles they will find that people are attracted to them. More importantly, they’ll find that they now have an influence over others that can impact lives for eternity. By following the six principles of The Encore Effect , readers can: Deliver a remarkable performance in everything they do Elevate the performance of the people they lead and influence Extend and deepen the impact they have on others—even for eternity. This special edition, distributed through the CBA, will include unique...

It is time to play a Wild Card ! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour . Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book's FIRST chapter! You never know when I might play a wild card on you! Today's Wild Card author is: Karen Kingsbury and her book: Sunset (Sunrise Series-Baxter 3, Book 4) Tyndale House Publishers (September 23, 2008) ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Karen Kingsbury is currently America's best-selling inspirational author. She has written more than 30 of her Life-Changing Fiction titles and has nearly 5 million books in print. Dubbed by Time magazine as the Queen of Christian Fiction. Her fiction has made her one of the country's favorite storytellers, and one of her novels-Gideon's Gift-is under production for an upcoming major motion picture release. Her emotionally gripping titles include the popular Redemption series, the Firstborn series, Divi...

Camy Tang's Best Book to Date Venus Chau is a lead developer for a gaming company. She's in prime position to being promoted until her unethical coworkers cause her to start looking elsewhere. She finds herself at another company headed by CEO Drake Yu. There's tension between the two because in the past, Drake used Venus to benefit his company. Venus is still touchy about that especially since she's still uneasy about the dramatic weight loss she had a few years ago. She has to suck up and gain some self confidence however if she plans to help Drake and his new company AND stop her old one from stealing her work. In my opinion, this was the best book of the series. I have never read any fiction book, secular or non fiction, that has a woman in charge at a video game industry. Most people do not think that girls like to play video games so it was wonderful to see that stereotype broken in this book. Also for once it was so nice to see a female lead in a chick li...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing When The Soul Mends WaterBrook Press (September 16, 2008) by Cindy Woodsmall ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Cindy Woodsmall is a veteran homeschool mom. As her children progressed in age, her desire to write grew stronger. After working through reservations whether this desire was something she should pursue, she began her writing journey. Her husband was her staunchest supporter as she aimed for what seemed impossible. Her first novel, When The Heart Cries , released in 2006 to much acclaim and became a Christian Book Association best seller. Cindy was a 2007 ECPA Christian Book Award finalist, along with Karen Kingsbury, Angela Hunt, and Charles Martin. Her last book, When the Morning Comes , hit the New York Times best-sellers extended list and the Christian Book Association best-sellers list. Cindy’s real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity. Cindy, her husband, their...

I'm giving away a brand new copy of today's book! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Tuesday, September 30. US addresses only. Good luck! Relive the Christmas of 1913 thorough the eyes of young people in love as snow falls in a record-setting blizzard in Snowbound Colorado Christmas . During Christmas the Christmas of 1913, Colorado is buffeted with snow and four couples find that taken refuge also means taking a look at the past and giving love a chance for the future. Fires of Love by Tamela Hancock Murray Thalia Bloom looks forward to her party except for seeing heartbreaker Maximilian Newbolt. Sparks fly, and Maximilian is waylaid by an allergy to a strawberry tart and illness means he must linger. Aunt Dorcas is even unhappier than Maximilian, discouraging any newfound love between the couple. Has God used a strawberry tart to free this couple from bondage of fears and insecurities so t...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Faking Grace Multnomah Books (August 19, 2008) by Tamara Leigh ABOUT THE AUTHOR: After Tamara Leigh earned a Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology, she and her husband decided to start a family, with plans for Tamara to continue in her career once she became a mother. When the blessing of children proved elusive, Tamara became convicted to find a way to work out of her home in order to raise the children she and her husband longed to have. She turned to writing, at which she had only ever dreamed of being successful, and began attending church. Shortly thereafter, her agent called with news of Bantam Books’ offer of a four-book contract. That same day, Tamara’s pregnancy was confirmed. Within the next year, she gave up her speech pathology career, committed her life to Christ, her first child was born, and her first historical romance novel was released. As Tamara continued to write for the secular market, publis...

I'm giving away a brand new set of BOTH of today's books! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Sunday, September 28. US addresses only. Good luck! It's the 21st, time for the Teen FIRST blog tour!(Join our alliance! Click the button!) Every 21st, we will feature an author and his/her latest Teen fiction book's FIRST chapter! Shelley Adina and her books: It's All About Us: A Novel FaithWords (May 12, 2008) and The Fruit of My Lipstick (All About Us Series, Book 2) FaithWords (August 11, 2008) Plus a Tiffany's Bracelet Giveaway ! Go to Camy Tang's Blog and leave a comment on the Teen FIRST All About Us Tour and you will be placed into a drawing for a bracelet that looks similar to the picture below. But the winning FaithWords Tiffany's bracelet will be a double heart charm. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Shelley Adina is a world traveler and pop culture junkie with an incurable a...