The Swiss Courier

I just finished the latest novel by Tricia Goyer (this time teamed with Mike Yorkey). As always, the story had me reading until I could barely keep my eyes open. The Swiss Courier is a nail-biting tale of courage and sacrifice during one of our world’s darkest periods of history. Here is more info on this great book.

About the Book!
It is August 1944 and the Gestapo is mercilessly rounding up suspected enemies of the Third Reich. When Joseph Engel, a German physicist working on the atomic bomb, finds that he is actually a Jew, adopted by Christian parents, he must flee for his life to neutral Switzerland. Gabi Mueller is a young Swiss-American woman working for the newly formed American Office of Strategic Services (the forerunner to the CIA) close to Nazi Germany. When she is asked to risk her life to safely "courier" Engel out of Germany, the fate of the world rests in her hands. If she can lead him to safety, she can keep the Germans from developing nuclear capabilities. But in a time of traitors and uncertainty, whom can she trust along the way? This fast-paced, suspenseful novel takes readers along treacherous twists and turns during a fascinating--and deadly--time in history.

About the authors:
Tricia Goyer is the author of several books, including Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights, both past winners of the ACFW's Book of the Year Award for Long Historical Romance. Goyer lives with her family in Montana. To find out more visit her website: www.thegoyers.com
Mike Yorkey is the author or coauthor of dozens of books, including the bestselling Every Man's Battle series. Married to a Swiss native, Yorkey lived in Switzerland for 18 months. He and his family currently reside in California.To find out more visit his website: www.MikeYorkey.com

BUY THE BOOK! http://www.amazon.com/Swiss-Courier-Novel-Tricia-Goyer/dp/0800733363/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255629640&sr=8-1

Thank you to LitFuse for providing a copy of The Swiss Courier for me to review.

Savor A Slow Burn

Emory Chance is suffocating in grief and guilt after the murder of her 13-year-old daughter Daisy. Why did Jed leave Daisy alone that day? How could anyone expect her to forgive him? While determined to find the killer, Emory fights the lifestyle that so often caused her to neglect Daisy, is haunted by memories of her lost daughter, and relived painful snapshots of her own loveless childhood. When disturbing intrusions jeopardize Emory’s safety, she finds a protector in Hixon Jones—a man who has vowed to keep her safe, show her the love of Jesus, and marry her. But can she accept his love, or the kindness of those who continue to reach out? Or will a long-hidden secret betrayal remove Hixon’s love, her community’s support, and any hope of healing?

A Slow Burn, Book Two in the Defiance Texas Trilogy, continues the story of a small town’s secrets and devastating loss. This sequel to Daisy Chain delves into a mother’s remorse and regret, a community’s attempts to forgive, and one man’s sacrificial love. Like all of Mary DeMuth’s books A Slow Burn is haunting and at times upsetting, but beautifully written and flowing with God’s grace. Emory Chance is woman who has failed miserably but so needs compassion—one that you want to shake one minute and comfort the next. Hixon models the devotion of Christ that she longs for but can’t seem to embrace. Like Daisy Chain, this novel does not wrap itself up in easy answers. It did, however, leave me all the more eager for Book Three.





To find A Slow Burn on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310278376





To see the A Slow Burn Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ9c-Cfg3WY





To visit Mary DeMuth’s Website: http://marydemuth.com/

List of all participating bloggers: http://blogtourspot.com/slowburn-tour/slowburn-tour-stops

Rediscovering the Classics

At my son Christian’s suggestion, I am taking a second stab at John Milton’s Paradise Lost. If you’ve never read it, the epic poem followed Satan’s fall and his attempt to thwart God’s plan by wooing man to destruction. Christian has read the book three times and lists it as one of his favorites. I, on the other hand, made several attempts at reading it but never got through the entire things. So I finally gave in. And you know what? I’m actually enjoying the story this time. I’m taking it in small digestible chunks, enjoying the language as I go, so it might take a year to get through but I WILL get through it.

Last year I accepted a similar challenge from Christian to read Beowulf. Again, I took it slowly and felt a great sense of accomplishment when I finished. Anna Karenina I went for on my own, having somehow missed it in school.

Taking on these challenging stories has rekindled my appreciation for books that always screamed “homework” during high school. They force me to slow down and focus. Unlike today’s novels that dive right into the action, classics require me to wade through back story and a bazillion character introductions first. As tempting as it is to jump ahead, I’m learning to see it as an exercise in stretching my attention span.

I’ll admit I have started some only to set them aside and ask Christian, “Does this book get better?”
“No,” He admitted in the case of Crime and Punishment and proceded to tell me the ending (I’d bought it for a quarter at a garage sale and Christian had already helped me get my money’s worth out of it by reading it for school.

But more often I’m adding to my list for the future.

If you would like to join me in rediscovering the classics try these tips:

· Choose one that isn’t too complicated. Jane Eyre, The Scarlett Letter, and My Antonia are great stories to start with.
· Try a children’s classic. You might find that you appreciate books like The Secret Garden (one of my favorite books of all time), A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and Little Women even more as an adult.
· Tackle more complicated books in chunks and give yourself permission to take them slowly. It took me a year to get through Anna Karenina and a few months to finish Beowulf but taking my time allowed me to enjoy both.
· Read something lighter at the same time. I usually have a classic and at least one contemporary novel going at the same time. I read a chapter or section of the classic then reward myself with the fun book.

See how your appreciation for literature grows as you revisit (or discover for the first time) books that have stood the test of time.

Do You Live in a House Full of Boys?

Read the following list and check all that apply to you:

1. You regularly replace vacuum belts thanks to sucking up Legos.


2. You are constantly asking yourself, what is that smell and where is it coming from?


3. You are the only one in your home NOT entertained by bodily functions.


4. You hear one crash or more per day.


5. Lego structures decorate your piano or knicknack shelf.


6. Your child's first play sound mimmicked an explosion.


7. You pass the little girls' section of Target and sigh before heading to the boys' jeans.


8. You've had to explain at least one suspicious-looking injury (i.e. a black eye, an ugly bruise on the back of the leg, or another mark that resembled child abuse) to the pediatrician.

If you checked two or more of the above you must be a mother of boys. Last week I finished reading a fun book for us girls who have the joy of raising boys. Jean Blackmer's Boy-Sterous Living: Celebrating Your Loud and Roudy Life with Sons offers a mother's perspective on being the only female in the house. Using her personal experience, in addition to tips from experts, she covers:

• The importance of laughter


• Why boys need adventure


• How to use video games, iPods, and other electronics wisely


• How to teach boys to express their feelings


• Dealing with the "fear factor" of having and active boy

I found this book extremely relatable and realistic! For example, instead of advocating a ban on video games and computers, she shares how her family incorporates limits and balance, knowing that today's kids live in a technical age and need to know how to use it responsibly. I felt like I was talking to a mom from my son's school, one who has the same concerns and hopes for her sons as I do. Whether you have all boys or just one, you will enjoy this entertaining and informative read.

Boy-Sterous Living is available through Beacon Hill Press and of course Amazon or your favorite Christian bookstore.

Are You Feeling Squeezed like a Lump of Play Dough?

If you're a mom, chances are you feel squished, smacked, and stretched on a daily basis. During particularly difficult seasons, it might even seem like God is flattening you with one of those plastic rolling pins, broke out the cookie cutters, or left you to dry up. Why does it feel like all of your crumbs and hard spots are being exposed when what you want is to be sculpted into something impressive? But somehow He works in all of it--from the painful life lessons to the mondain mommy moments--teaching us new things about Him and about ourselves, molding us into women that He can use for His glory.

In her newest release, Blue Like Play Dough, Tricia Goyer shares how God grew her through the ups, downs, best, and worst of being a mom. I can't say enough about how much I loved this book! If you are still raising kids or sent them into the world long ago, you will relate to this honest, inspiring memoir of parenting, family life, and spiritual growth. Here is more on Tricia, the book itself, and ordering info. Oh, and if you decide to pick up a copy, be sure to check out the Go-Go Campaign.

About the book: In the everyday stretch and squeeze of motherhood, Tricia Goyer often feels smooshed by the demands of life. In Blue Like Play Dough, she shares her unlikely journey from rebellious, pregnant teen to busy wife and mom with big dreams of her own. As her story unfolds, Tricia realizes that God has more in store for her than she has ever imagined possible.

Sure, life is messy and beset by doubts. But God keeps showing up in the most unlikely places–in a bowl of carrot soup, the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon, a woe-is me teen drama, or play dough in the hands of a child.

In Tricia’s transparent account, you’ll find understanding, laughter, and strength for your own story. And in the daily push and pull, you’ll learn to recognize the loving hands of God at work in your life… and know He has something beautiful in mind.

Read an excerpt: http://triciagoyer.com/cmsdocuments/Blue_Like_Play_Dough_Prologue_CH_1.pdf

About the Author: Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty books including From Dust and Ashes, My Life UnScripted, and the children's book, 10 Minutes to Showtime. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in the mountains of Montana.

For more on Tricia, her speaking, and her books, visit her website: Author website: http://www.triciagoyer.com/

To order the book: http://triciagoyer.com/store.html

Go-Go Campaign: Would you like to donate a book? Take part in Tricia's Go Go Program. Here's how it works. For every copy of Blue Like Play Dough purchased, she’ll donate a copy of My Life Unscripted or Generation NeXt Parenting to a pregnancy, teen or family support ministry (while supplies last).

All you have to do is buy a copy of Blue Like Play Dough on Christianbook, on Amazon, or at your local bookstore, and then go to Tricia's Go-Go page and fill out the form. EASY!

If you have already read and loved this book, leave a comment on this post. I'd love to hear from you!

Great Summer Reads!

Having kids home from school for the summer, repeated trips to the ER with my husband, and a stack of assignments (thank you, God) may have kept me from blogging but it hasn’t prevented me from reading. Here are two that I have loved recently. Check out my reviews on Amazon!

Things Left Unspoken
By
Eva Marie Everson
Jo-Lynn Hunter accepts an offer to remodel her great-aunt’s house, in hopes of taking a break from her strained marriage. As the overhaul grows into an upgrade of the entire town of Cottonwood, GA, Jo-Lynn unearths long-buried family secrets.

This book made me want to pack up and move to the south so I could find a “Big House” to explore. Eva Marie Everson creates a cast of characters that left me wondering if I was reading a book or watching a movie.

Through the Fire
By
Shawn Grady
Aiden O’Neill has a sixth sense for fighting fires. When a reckless move almost costs a rookie his life, Aiden begins to question everything—until a series of fires sweeps through the city of Reno. Could the arson hold the answer to his father’s tragic death?

Debut novelist Shawn Grady is Reno firefighter and paramedic with a gift for drawing the reader right into the fire!

Both books can be found on Amazon, Christianbooks.com, or your local bookstore.

Are You Walking Through a Valley

I just opened the mail box and received a copy of Jerry Beaver's debut book, Walking Through the Valleys of Life, based on Psalm 23. I had the pleasure of editing this book so it's special to me. But I would enjoy it even if I hadn't had a part in watching it take shape. Here is a little summery from the author:

"This book is based on the well-known Twenty-third Psalm, written about the life of the Shepherd and His sheep. Walking Through the Valleys of Life is geared for the Christian struggling in a trial and long valley. There are practical and scriptural insights throughout the book, leading readers to keep looking to the Lord and His perfect will in their dark times. Supplemental study guides are included, so that readers can study further in depth and journal their personal application. These study supplements are also outlines that a pastor can teach from during Wednesday night prayer meetings or can use for Sunday school lessons. Once a book is purchased, a link will be provided to download the study guides so that one can customize them to their own preaching style. The book has been professionally edited and designed. All Scriptures are taken out of the King James Bible. Walking Through the Valleys of Life is now available for purchase. I invite you to go to the website, http://walkingthroughthevalleysoflife.com and take a look inside the book, and consider making this book a part of your resources."

Walking Through the Valleys of Life is for anyone who needs a reminder that we don't face trials alone.