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Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Have A Very Merry Christmas...


Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to say hello and wish you all an amazing Christmas! It is astounding to me how many of you have signed up to follow this blog. I am overwhelmed and blessed to have you to stop by.

I would like to give you a glimpse of things to come. First and foremost, I will be getting a makeover in Jan. A Bookish Mom will start accepting paid ads, and sponsored posts. I will always disclose which post are sponsored. I am really wanting to build a rapport with companies so we can get more awesome giveaways for you!

I will start posting some video reviews that show the bookish kids using the products so you can see first hand their durability. I will also start letting the bookish children do video reviews of the children's books we get.

You can look forward to some great reviews for simplehuman products, Tropical Traditions, and Soaps by Tashina. We will also have some great discount codes, and giveaways. As always, we will have tons of book giveaways for the new year.

There is going to be so many new changes.. I hope you will stay with me and that we can grow together, and discover new products. I am so excited. We will be starting Jan. right with a $50 giveaway to somewhere.... I haven't decided yet... Where do you think it should be to?

A Bookish Mom will continue posting book reviews until Jan. 2, 2010. Then we will see those great giveaways and product reviews.

*a Note to family friendly companies* A Bookish Mom now has openings for product reviews in Late Jan. and early Feb. Please contact me (Jennie) at abookishmom (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Can't wait until the New Year........


Jennie
A Bookish Mom

Monday, December 21, 2009

Free International delight pint coffee creamer! Hot!

International Delight giving away a FREE pint to the FIRST 100,000 fans that register! Click on the Holiday Giveaway tab on the International Delight Fan Page to register. Be sure to tell your friends!

Rose House by Tina Ann Forkner


Book Info:

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: WaterBrook Press (May 5, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1400073596
  • ISBN-13: 978-1400073597
Synopsis:

A vivid story of a private grief, a secret painting, and one woman’s search for hope

Still mourning the loss of her family in a tragic accident, Lillian Diamon finds herself drawn back to the Rose House, a quiet cottage where four years earlier she had poured out her anguish among its fragrant blossoms.

She returns to the rolling hills and lush vineyards of the Sonoma Valley in search of something she can’t quite name. But then Lillian stumbles onto an unexpected discovery: displayed in the La Rosaleda Gallery is a painting that captures every detail of her most private moment of misery, from the sorrow etched across her face to the sandals on her feet.

What kind of artist would dare to intrude on such a personal scene, and how did he happen to witness Lillian’s pain? As the mystery surrounding the portrait becomes entangled with the accident that claimed the lives of her husband and children, Lillian is forced to rethink her assumptions about what really happened that day.

A captivating novel rich with detail, Rose House explores how the brushstrokes of pain can illuminate the true beauty of life.

My Opinion:

This book is so incredibly moving! I swear I cried through half of it. Lillian loses her husband and twin daughters in a car accident. As if that isn't bad enough, She suspects it is because he is having an affair with her sister.... I mean... That is the kind of stuff that will either push you to the brink or get you a seat on the Jerry Springer Show.

I am not going to tell you how it ends, but I will tell you that this is the second book in the La Rosaleda series. It wouldn't hurt to read the first one. This novel stands alone quite well, but.... I was slightly confused in the beginning.

5 Stars! A must read.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Sweetwater Runby Jan Watson

Book Info:
  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; 1 edition (July 6, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1414323859
  • ISBN-13: 978-1414323855
Synopsis:

In 1891 in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, two young women stand at a crossroads. Both are protégées of the same mentor, Copper Brown, yet they couldn’t be more different. Darcy Whitt falls in love with the town’s handsome yet unscrupulous attorney who plots to take not only Darcy’s land but that of her sister as well. Meanwhile, her beautiful sister-in-law, Cara Whitt, suddenly finds herself alone and afraid, living in a rickety cabin on the backside of nowhere. As they struggle with the realities of life, both women learn to rely on their faith above all else.

My Opinion:

Cara's Husband is thrown in jail for 2 years for stealing his own MULE!!!!!. Cara is now left alone and frightened to run the farm. She Strugglesx through many trials to grow and learn to lean on God.

This is a wonderful book of faith, family, and friends that kept me reading until the end. I wanted to reach into that book and slap that sleazy town lawyer moves into Darcy's heart to get to her land! Men!

I enjoyed this book. I loved watching Cara learn to help others instead of sitting around focusing on how many terrible things had happened to her. Instead of becoming bitter, she grows into an amazing woman, while waiting for her dear husband.

It is one of those heart warmers.

3.5 Stars

Saturday, December 19, 2009

I won!!!

We Just won a Gift Card to Kids Foot Locker from Santa's Picks! Merry Christmas to me!!!

The Shimmer by David Morrell

Book Info:
  • Hardcover: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Vanguard Press (July 7, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1593155379
  • ISBN-13: 978-1593155377
Synopsis:

When a high-speed chase goes terribly wrong, Santa Fe police officer Dan Page watches in horror as a car and gas tanker explode into flames. Torn with guilt that he may be responsible, Page returns home to discover that his wife, Tori, has disappeared.

Frantic, Page follows her trail to Rostov, a remote town in Texas famous for a massive astronomical observatory, a long-abandoned military base, and unexplained nighttime phenomena that draw onlookers from every corner of the globe. Many of these gawkers—Tori among them—are compelled to visit this tiny community to witness the mysterious Rostov Lights.

Without warning, a gunman begins firing on the lights, screaming “Go back to hell where you came from,” then turns his rifle on the bystanders. A bloodbath ensues, and events quickly spiral out of control, setting the stage for even greater violence and death.

Page must solve the mystery of the Rostov Lights to save his wife. In the process, he learns that the decaying military base may not be abandoned at all, and that the government may have known about the lights for decades. Could these phenomena be more dangerous than anyone could have possibly imagined?


My opinion:

I have never read a David Morrell book before this one. I can tell you that I will be looking for his others.

The Shimmer is such a great thriller! It moves nicely with Page being involved in an accident that Kills all of those involved except him. When He makes it home he discovers his wife is gone.

Page sets out on a mission to find his wife. He tracks her to a small Texas town, where there have been some strange goings on involving strange and mysterious lights in the sky..... As the story progresses Page finds himself in several other dangerous situations including one that involves government secrets. How far will the government go to keep their secrets?....

This is such a great book. It was so captivating, that I could not set it down! The only problem that I had with this book is that the violence seemed a little excessive at times. I caught myself thinking...'Is this in here just to be in here'. Some of the violent points didn't really add to the story.

All in all, I LOVED IT! It is a great read and would be perfect for an over the Holiday read.

4 Stars!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

The $50 Challenge! Albertsons and Super 1 Foods!

(Drama Queen B)


Well, This morning Mrs. Tami and I went shopping. We found some GREAT Deals.

First of all at super one foods, I got some frozen seasoning mix for 68 cents a bag. These usually run around a dollar. I got bule bonnet margarine for 48 cents/box. The best deal there came with Duncan Hines Cake Mix.... 68 cents a box!!! So I bought a lot! It is usually well over a dollar a box!

At Albertsons, They had the Pillsbury crescent rolls 3/$5. I had $1/3 coupons. There was a blinkie there that had more coupons.. so I got a few....

The best deal of the day came next. Albertson's had their Pillsbury cookie dough (break apart) on sale for 2/$4. This is the lowest price I have ever seen. Next to the cookies was another blinkie. The coupons in it were for $1.50/2!!! This made the cookies $1.25 ea! Now, I had extra 8 coupons and the cashier went ahead and deducted them! That means I got 10 packages free!
I also got a ham for Christmas dinner for .79 cents a pound.

Here's the break Down:

65 Items
$108.14 Saved
Total Out of Pocket: 59.32!

I am Awesome!

Great Deals on Cookies at albertsons!

If you are in the texas area... Albertson's has their Pillsbury Cookies for $2/4. There is a blinkie buy them that has a $1.50/2 coupon! That makes them $1.25 ea. Not bad for Pillsbury cookies! I have never seen them that cheap before.

And the winners are....

Drum roll please....

A Christmas Carol:
susan said...

I love Jingle Bells!

December 9, 2009 9:54 AM



Hair Spray
Twilight
Hotel for Dogs

Benita
said...

I think Working Girl is probably one of my favorites. I love Sophie's Choice, but it's not something I can watch that often.

bgcchs

Publish Post

And The Alice.com $25 GC

Anonymous said...I signed up for Alice. I have been wanting to try this site, so a $25 gc would be excellent!
Cheryl
ninth_born

If you are a winner... Please email me your shipping info to abookishmom at yahoo.

You can wait around for me to email you, but it way faster if you email me!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

In my mailbox :

So... I won another giveaway! I won a harlem Globetrotters fun pack that includes an autographd photo! COOL!

I got my 10.00 kellogs rebate check in the mail, and the bluray dvd combo pack of Ice Age 3 that I had won. Coolness. It has been a good week.

My internet is now working and I will e posting reviews all day.

A Quick Note: I'm MIA!

Hey guys... First of all!!! WOW!!! 200+ followers!! I am honored and blessed to have you all here.

Secondly, My internet at the house is down! BOO! The telephone guy is coming to check it out today. It has been out since Saturday night. So I will be back. I had to jot down to the library this morning so I could post this. Bear with me.lol!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

What Women Don't Know and Men Don't Tell You by Michelle Hammond and Joel Brooks


  • Paperback: 208 pages
  • Publisher: WaterBrook Press (September 15, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0307458504
  • ISBN-13: 978-0307458506
Synopsis:
What You Don't Know about Yourself Will Hinder You. What You Don't Know about Men Will Hurt You.
What You Don't Know about Relationships Will Cost You.

Why does the modern-day search for romance so often end in disappointment, especially for women? Is it something we do? Something we don't do? Are we missing important information about the opposite sex—or about ourselves? Is there something wrong with us that we long so desperately for "til death do us part"?

Sadly, many women today see their ongoing singleness as a weakness or lack of worth. In truth, our dreams go unfulfilled not because we do not deserve for them to come true, but often because of wrong assumptions—assumptions that can easily be corrected.

Drawing on both male and female perspectives, this book deals with the hard issues and questions you and other women ponder as you consider how to obtain lasting love. What Women Don't Know (and Men Don't Tell You) will help you adjust your desires, redefine what you are attracted to, set your values in order, and determine your goals—freeing you at last to pursue the loving relationship you desire.


My Opinion:

If I only would have had this book before I married my first Husband!!!!! What a lot of trouble I could have saved myself.

I think this book is great. What woman doesn't need insight into men. What Women Don't Know... is a great insight into dating tips, finding a great boyfriend, and closing the deal. It meshes dating with Christian insight and verse to help you find a good guy and not waste your time with all the wrong ones (story of my life!).

I thought this book was very funny, and even heart warming at times. I really enjoyed it... I say 4 stars for the dating book!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Kiss by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy


  • Date: November 2009
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson
  • Format: Paperback, 322pp
  • Sales Rank: 21,752
  • ISBN-13: 9781595548191
  • ISBN: 159554819X
Synopsis:

When a tragic auto accident leaves Shauna McAllister's brother brain-damaged and erases her recent memories, she discovers she has a paranormal ability to steal memories from others, a capability that will either get her killed or unveil hidden sides of the very people she thought she could trust. Against this background, she attempts to uncover the ugly truth about her father's dark secrets and to upend his run for president of the United States.

My Opinion:
Let's start with the story. Ted Dekker is one of my favorite authors. He can weave an intriguing tale that draws you in and hold tight until the end. Kiss is no exception.

Kiss is a fast paced novel, Yet it is very predictable. I am usually left guessing by dekkers books until the end, but this one I had figured out very quickly. However, the story moves very quickly and the plot is fantastic. It was a great read.

One thing that I do have a problem with is the fact that he is being termed a Christian Author. With the Boneman's daughter, I was shocked to find curse words....!!!!
Kiss had no bad language, but the mention of God was almost non existent. I am starting to be disappointed in his works.

Great deals at Alice.com right now



Right now the have a 3 oz bottle of jergens lotion for 49 cents!
Suave deodorant for 98 cents
4.6 oz colgate for 70 cents
Gillette Fusion Razor with 2 cartridges foe $4.90... at walmart the are like 6 or 7 bucks

Click the banner above to sign up! Dont forget to enter my giveaway for a $25 Gift Card!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

I need a blog designer.. is it you

I am currently taking bids for a new Blog template. I have a very detail specific design in mind that I have somewhat on paper to include Characters. I know what I want. If you are a blog designer and would like specifics to place a bid you can leave a comment here with your email addy, or you can email me @ abookishmom at yahoo.

If you would be willing to do the work pro bono in trade for publicity, a review, and/or a giveaway hosted here that would be fantastic. I will facebook, tweet, review, and email youe awesomeness from here to eternity.

Does anyone Know?

Does anyone know some blogs that do a Linky for giveaways?

I use Money Saving Mom, Two of a kind, Eighty MPH Mom, Mamma's money savers, and DK Mommy Spot. I would love to know some more sites that host a giveaway linky!

On a side note: If any of you collect Box Tops for Education and don't know what to do with them, please mail them to me...You can email me for more info.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Giveaway! Alice.com $25 gift certificate!!!

Have you met Alice yet? Well, if not, You don't know what you are missing! I just got a TON of Stuff for FREE!!!!! Check this out:








I got some covergirl makeup for {angel T's} Christmas, {Drama Queen B} needed School Supplies since she just moved back with us, and I LOVE Fiber One Porducts! So Yummy! So I stocked up! Yes! It was all FREE!

Alice.com is so great! It has Thousands of items on sale and it uses no clip coupons! My mom ordered a bunch of Hair Dye that was on sale with coupon for 90 cents a box!


Alice.com offer Always free shipping with a 6 item min. order, but your first time using Alice.com you can purchase as few as you like! The have great prices on Mach razors for a less than $5! At walmart they are $6 or $7! You can get a lot of great things so cheap and it is delivered in 2 to 3 business days, and when you purchase $50 for of Products they give you a free $10 to spend!



Every one needs an alice!



Since I had such a great experience with Alice I am going to giveaway a $25 gift Certificate to Alice.com. I am purchasing this out of my own pocket because I love you guys so much! *sniff*



Here are the rules:

Contest is open to US residents only.No P.O. Boxes please! Contest will run from 12/8/09 to 12/16/09. You must leave an email in your entry so I can contact you. If not I will chose a new winner. 1Winner will be chose by random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to email me thair mailing info. If they do not email me with in 48 hours I will choose a new winner!



Main Entry: *Must be done or entries will not count*
Sign up here at Alice.com leave a comment here telling me you did. This will be checked!



Extra Entries: please leave a separate comment for each.


Follow Me here and/or @ inspired to lose

Blog it and link back

Grab my button/buttons

email 5 people and cc it to abookishmom at yhaoo

follow me on twitter and tweet: "Great Alice.com $25 Giveaway going on @abookishmom @alice http://bit.ly/7t5voY"

99 Ways to Increase Your Income by Frank Martin


Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (July 21, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307458393
ISBN-13: 978-0307458391
Synopsis:
Need extra cash for... routine monthly bills? savings for a childs education? gifts to a church or chairty? medical expenses?a dream vacation?
Most everyone can use more money, but in a tight economy, how do you supplement an inadequate income or even replace a salary that's disappeard because of a job loss?
99 Ways to Increase Your Income can help! This easy to use resource shows hpw to bothe generate more income and better stretch the dollars you already have. With ideas ranging from asking for extra hours at work, to selling your "junk" at a consignment store or on ebay, to starting a home based pet grooming service, to saving money by smart use of the internet, this book will help you earn and keep more cash.
At a time when a stressed economy is causing job loss and other financial pains, many people are looking for ways to rebuild or supplement income.
99 Ways to Increase Your Income lays out simple steps to both generate more cash, as well as do a more effective job of hanging on to existing income.
Frank Martin is a successful entrepreneur and the author of more than sixteen books. Visit his web site at www.FrankMMartin.com
My Opinion:
WaterBrook Publishing has sent another great book to me! This book has the most fantastic ideas in it. I found quite a few that are wonderful, and I am seriously looking into them. Not only does it give you great ways to generate income, but it also gives you great insight into getting out of debt and staying out of debt.
This is a super short read with barely over 100 pages. It took me all of 15minutes to read, and it was very helpful. A definite must read for anyone who could use some extra cash. 5 Stars!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The Payoff!!! Look what I got....

(Xan~Man)

So, A few weeks ago I was browsing through blogs and ran across this crazy deal at NWA Deals! A week and a half later this is what I got!!!!!!

$50 in free lowes gift cards! They will come in handy...We are fencing in the back yard and building a new deck. I went to money saving methods eariler and completed 2 online offers. one is for a $160 gift card, and the other is for a $500 visa! WOO HOO... Now the worst part is the waiting to see if you will be DQ'D,,, Ugh.. give me ulcers already!

P.S. Check out my cereal stockpile! That is in the laundry room where I keep my overflow. That is why there hasn't been a $50 challenge in a while! My freezer and deep freeze are both full up! It's nice.

Want to know how to get those Lowes cards? Here is how I did it:

1. You must Sign up for a Trial Offer for Complete Home for $1. This is a 1 Month Trial so make sure you call and cancel before the Month is over. Also make sure you set a reminder somewhere so that you don’t forget!

2. You will receive 3 emails. Make sure you save all of them. My First Email had a Membership Number and Welcome Info. The Second Email was similar, The Third Email had a link to click to redeem a prize for $20 off my utility bill ** WAIT FOR THIS THIRD EMAIL, BUT DON”T CLICK THE LINK**

3. When you get your Redemption Email – USE THIS LINK (copy & paste):http://www.ecustservice.com/premiums/completehome/50lwe/
Note: Only Using the Above Link will get you the $50 in Gift Cards (5-$10.00 Gift Cards) The Current offer is $20 off your Utility Bill

4. Wait for you Gift Card to Arrive

5. Don’t forget to Cancel your Membership if you don’t want to be billed again!

Good Luck!

In the Arms of Immortals by Ginger Garrett

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook; New edition (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0781448883
ISBN-13: 978-0781448888


Synopsis:


“The time of the angels is over.
“Never again will men believe in unseen goodness.
“The age of fear has begun.”

Sicily, 1347. It starts with a strange ship in the village harbor. That night an old man falls ill…then the baker’s wife…then a street urchin. By morning half the townspeople are dead and more are dying—horribly. Civic order breaks down. Wolves are moving in from the countryside. And no one has a clue what is happening or how to stop it. Not the local priest. Not the rich baron. Not the baron’s proud daughter, nor the powerful knight who loves her. Certainly not the outcast healer whom many call a witch.

Only the Destroyer and the unseen Watchers know the real story…along with an unwilling visitor from another time. Mariskka recognizes the Black Death that soon will decimate Europe. But she has no voice to speak, no way to help…until she dares open her pain-hardened heart to unfathomable truth.

Richly imagined, tautly suspenseful, and deeply moving…another heart-stopping historical thriller from the author of In the Shadow of Lions.


My opinion:

In the Arms of Immortals is a fantastic book! It was so far from what I expected. Garrett does a great job of incorperating scientific and fact with fiction to create an enthralling tale.


I must admitt that the book had a slow start for me, but definitely picked up as the story unfolded. Mariskka is thurst into fame when she steals an unpublished book from a dying patient and passes it off as her own.


Unbeknownst to her, the book was a work written by the angels above. This quickly draws unwanted attention from the angels, and they are not happy. For punishment, Mariskka is thurst back in time to the days of the black plague in a small european town to watch the torment unfold.


It is a thrilling, yet hear wrenching story that will captivate your mind!


I love it. This book is one I will reread.


Monday, December 7, 2009

Giveaway and Review: A Christmas CarolSpecial Edition by Charles Dickins With Christian Insights by Stephen Skelton



One of my favorite publishing groups to review for is FSB Associates. They were generous enough to send me a copy of A Christmas carol to Review and Give away.

Fist off, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is my favorite Christmas story. There is so much to be learned from it. From giving and loving to caring and sharing this story has a lesson for everyone from 3 to 83. I love how scrooge is portrayed as a cold, mean miser whom noone can love, and is given a chance to see how is actions affect others. This is one lesson I am constantly trying to teach my 5 children.

Where would we be without redemption? Knowing that we can never change what we have done and are on a course for self destrction! How terrible.



Stephen Skelton has done a wonderful job of adding to this story. His Christian insights and Discussion Questions are so well tied in. There are some awesome tidbits throughout the story that will really make you reread to see what else you have missed.



I really love the discussions. Ranging on subjects like Selfishness and Regret, these subjects bring a fresh and new perspective into the story. Each Discussion is tied to a key verse and has terrific questions to really make you reflect on your lives.



I throughly enjoyed this book and hope that you will too!


Want to win it?




The Rules:
US residents only please. No po boxes. Please leave an email address in your comments. If I do not have a way to contact you I will chose another winner. Contest will run from December 6, 2009 until December 18, 2009. 1 winner will be chose by random.org. I will email the winner and they will have 2 days to contact me. If they do not contact me within that time frame, I will chose a new winner.


Required Entry:

Leave a comment telling me your favorite Christmas Story, Song, or Memory.


Extra entry options: (after the required entry is done) Leave separate comments for each entry.
Follow me/ Subscribe to me
Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway @abookishmom
blog it and leave a link.
Follow me at Inspired to lose for 2 bonus entries!
Grab my button here and/or at inspired to lose


That is it. Good luck guys.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

I promise this time...

I am back for good... I know I said that a week ago and then disappeared.

I told you that my stepdaughter had moved back in. She came to visit for the weekend, and ended up staying. The child had 1 pair of jeans and 2 pairs of shorts... I was home only 1 day last week, and that is because school was out.

I had to take {Drama Queen B} and buy her some new clothes, enroll her in school, and buy her school supplies. I have also been Christmas shopping, mystery shopping, and that is about it.

I have another shop to do tomorrow, and then the rest of this week I will be home.

Don't worry... I have written up a weeks worth of reviews ahead of time and maybe another giveaway... You'll have to watch to find out!

My step son brought home a gold medal and silver medal in 2 of his 3 competitions at UIL!!! WOO HOO! He also has the highest grade point average in both Elementary and middle school's... I am just so proud of him!

Well I am getting sleepy.. It is time for me to turn in.... I'll see you guys later.


oh! P.S. I won the Ice Age 3 Dvd from a giveaway!

Giveaway! 3 great movies!

6I always get my kids some movies for Christmas. This year when I ordered my movies the company I accidentally sent me 2 shipments for the price of one.... I contacted the company and they said that instead of paying the shipping to send them back I could just keep the extra copies..... What do I need with 2 copies of my kids favorite movies?




Well, I am going to give 3 of these movies to you! YAY! I know! I am so awesome!


First up we have:






Hotel for Dogs

Starring: Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Lisa Kudrow, Don Cheadle, Johnny Simmons
Language: English
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Paramount
DVD Release Date: April 28, 2009
Run Time: 100 minutes




Twilight (2 Disc Special)


Rated PG-13

Summit Entertainment
DVD Release Date: March 21, 2009
Run Time: 122 minutes




Hairspray

Starring: John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: New Line Home Video
DVD Release Date: November 20, 2007
Run Time: 117 minutes



Want to win them?


Leave a comment telling me your favorite movie!

Please include your email address so I can contact you.
Must do this to enter.


Want extra entries? Leave a separate comment for each.


follow me here

follow me @ Inspired to Lose (+2)

Subscribe by email to either of my blogs

Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway @abookishmom

Blog it and link back to me

Saturday, December 5, 2009

First Look: Pearl Girls complied by Margaret McSweeney

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:


Pearl Girls

Moody Publishers (July 1, 2009)

***Special thanks to Amy Lathrop of the Litfuse Publicity Group for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Margaret lives with her husband and two daughters in a Chicago suburb. Her book, A Mother’s Heart Knows was published by Thomas Nelson in 2005. Go Back and Be Happy, a co-authored book will be published by Lion Hudson in July 2008. Margaret has been featured on Greg Wheatly’s “Prime Time America,” TLN’s “Aspiring Women,” and LeSea’s “The Harvest Show.” Margaret writes freelance articles for The Daily Herald, the largest suburban Chicago newspaper. Notable interviews include Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Kinkade, Susan Branch and Dr. John Gottman. Margaret also wrote a feature article for crosswalk.com. With a master’s degree in international business, Margaret became a vice president in the corporate finance division of a New York City bank and worked there from 1986-1993. Supporting charitable causes is important to Margaret. For the past five years, she has served on the board of directors for WINGS, an organization that helps abused women and their children get a new start in life. Margaret would love to meet you too.

Visit the author's website.

Pearl Girls from Michael J Garvey on Vimeo.



Product Details:

List Price: $12.99
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Moody Publishers (July 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0802458629
ISBN-13: 978-0802458629

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


LOVE CAN WARM THE COLDEST HEART

By Susan May Warren


Ephesians 4:32: (ESV): Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.



Angels of Forgiveness


I felt as if I had been slapped. I gaped in horror as I stared at the empty storage room and tried to comprehend my mother-in-law’s words, “ . . . and we even made $200!” She had sold all my worldly possessions without my permission. She was trying to be kind, but in doing so, she plowed a cavernous furrow through the garden of our friendship. I knew it would never bloom again.


Our family had just returned home after serving as missionaries for four years in Russia. We still hadn’t found a place to live, and my mother-in-law wanted to help by clearing out room for us in her unfinished basement—in the space our hundred boxes of lifetime treasures once occupied. She’d sold everything from hand-knit sweaters to homemade

quilts. Only a forlorn crate of John Denver records and a bag of used mittens remained.


The money she handed me from the proceeds of the sale felt like blood money. I had waited for four years to unwrap my wedding china, greet my books and knick-knacks, and slip back into my fine dresses. I couldn’t believe I had put so much value on possessions, but I had, and now I was stripped.


Then I discovered she’d sold my Christmas ornaments. Every year since childhood my mother had given me a special gift at Christmas, a new and unique tree decoration that symbolized my life for that year, as well as her love for me. The box of heirloom ornaments I had so carefully packed had been sold for a dollar; my memories traded for the price of two cheeseburgers.


A ball of anger swelled in my heart. As I curled in my bed, sobbing out my grief, the ball gained momentum and became an avalanche, burying any tendril of love I had left for the mother of my husband.


Christmas loomed close and everywhere I saw beautiful, glittering Christmas trees. My tree was naked, its arms bare against the white lights. Where was the golden star with my name etched on it, or my tiny porcelain piano? How could she have done this? I felt entombed by my anger.


Sometime in January I realized I had missed the joy that came with the advent season. It couldn’t penetrate my icy heart. I could barely look at my mother-in-law, despite the fact she begged my forgiveness. “I didn’t know how much this would hurt you,” she said, weeping. “I was just trying to help.” I turned a stone heart to her plea. Frost laced the edges of our conversations and although I said the words, “I forgive you,” my soul

was an iceberg and I knew I had not.

In the past, my mother-in-law had been my greatest supporter, encouraging me, helping me pack, babysitting, and stuffing thousands of newsletters. She had cried with me, prayed for me, and tolerated me living in her home. I missed her and knew that if I wanted warmth to reenter my heart, I had to forgive her. But nothing could ease the ache of losing my memories. I avoided her and resolved to live with the pain.


When we moved away in February, I slammed the door on our relationship and didn’t talk to her again. Three days before the following Christmas, a parcel arrived at our

front door, my name etched on the front. Mystified, I opened it. Then, surrounded by my family’s astonished gasps, I unwrapped, one by one, a collection of angel ornaments.

From bears with wings and halos to gilded crystal angels holding trumpets, I hung a choir of heavenly hosts on my tree. Finally, I sank into the sofa as my children examined the

decorations, oohing and aahing.


“Who’s it from?” my husband asked. I retrieved the box, dug through the tissue, and unearthed a small card. Merry Christmas—Love, Mom was scrawled out in my mother-in-law’s script. Tears burned my eyes and, as I let them free, my icy tomb of anger began to melt. My mother-in-law was not able to retrieve the past she had so carelessly discarded, but she was hoping to build a future, our future. And it would start with these angels, proclaiming the love and forgiveness that entered our world. If God could forgive me, who stole His Son’s life, certainly I could forgive my mother-in-law for stealing my . . . stuff.


Easter arrived and with it forgiveness finally flowered in my heart. We descended upon the in-laws for a visit and I wrapped my husband’s mother in a teary embrace. I had lost the little stuffed bunnies my grandmother had knit for me, but I had gained something better—the fragrance of forgiveness, and the everlasting hope that love can warm the coldest heart.


My Opinion:

This is such a heart warming book. I love reading stories about the miracles that God gives to us. Some can be small and others amazingly large, but still the effects are the same.... complete and total awe.

My personal favorites are The Miracle at the Post Office (made me cry), Releasing the Rope, and Future Perfect- Who,Me?.

These stories will really remind you of what a mighty God we serve. It is a tear jerker to be sure.

It's True

“In accordance with recent FTC regulations, I inform you that all of the books and products I receive are copies directly from the publishers or promotional groups for review purposes. I review only books or products I have read and tested, and only state my honest opinion of the book or product good or bad.” A Bookish Mom

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Arkansas, United States
I'm a 30 year old SAHM of 5 amazing children ages 13 to 5. I love God and am saved by his Amazing Grace. I thought that a very small family farm was a good idea... we'll see...

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