June, 2011:

{CLOSED} Freedom Giveaway Hop!

by jen.

This was originally posted on another blog of mine (Happy Homemaker Reviews). I consolidated them to continue to simplify my life. – Jen (04.2012)

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*** This post will appear at the top during the Freedom Giveaway Hop event (July 1 – 7). Please scroll down for current posts. ***

I’m so excited to be a part of this year’s Freedom Giveaway Hop hosted by Simply Stacie (where I now contribute ) and I Am a Reader, Not a Writer.

I am giving away a set of 3 fictional novels (sorry for the low quality pic). Titles include Rhythm of Secrets, Centuries of June and Lady in Waiting.

To win, all you need to do is give me a book recommendation. I love getting new ideas & finding new authors!

For extra entries, you can:

Following Happy Homemaker Reviews via RSS Feed

“Like” Happy Homemaker Reviews on Facebook.

Following @HappyHReviews on twitter:

Follow Happy Homemaker Reviews on Google Friend Connect (bottom left sidebar).

This contest is open to US & Canadian shipping addresses only and ends on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at midnight. Please be sure you include an email address either in your entry or profile so I have a way to contact you if you win.

After you have entered to win here, check out the other blogs participating in the Freedom Giveaway Hop!

Good luck!

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Freedom Giveaway Hop – 2 Winners!

Jun 30th, 2011

by jen.

60 comments

*** This post will appear at the top during the Freedom Giveaway Hop event (July 1 – 7). Please scroll down for current posts. ***

I’m so excited to be a part of this year’s Freedom Giveaway Hop hosted by Simply Stacie (where I now contribute ) and I Am a Reader, Not a Writer.

I have 2 sets of Harlequin romances to give away to some lucky winners!

The first person will get a set of 7 Harlequin books (pictured below), including the Missions of Mercy Set by Susan May Warren that I reviewed a month or two ago. In addition, copies of The Billionaire’s Unexpected Heir (Desire), Smokin’ Six-Shooter (Intrigue), Dakota Child (Love Inspired Historical) and Lakeview Protector (Love Inspired Suspense).

The second winner will also get a copy of The Billionaire’s Unexpected Heir (Desire), Smokin’ Six-Shooter (Intrigue), and Dakota Child (Love Inspired Historical). These are the books pictured in the last row of the photo above.

To win, all you need to do is give me a book recommendation. I love getting new ideas & finding new authors!

For extra entries, you can:

Subscribe to my feed via RSS or email (leave a comment telling me you are a subscriber)
“Like” me on Facebook. A Bonus to this is that once I get 30 followers I will be having an awesome book giveaway — I have at least 6 great books set aside for this one so far, so this one will do double duty!(Comment with your Facebook first name and last initial.)
Subscribe to my other website Happy Homemaker Reviews via RSS and find out about other tips, deals & reviews to save you time, money & sanity. (Leave a comment here letting me know you’ve done so.)
“Like” Happy Homemaker Reviews on Facebook there, too. (Comment with your Facebook first name and last initial.)

After you have entered to win here, check out the other blogs participating in the Freedom Giveaway Hop!

Good luck!

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Martha {Book Review}

Jun 29th, 2011

by jen.

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We all know the story of Martha and Mary and how Martha is scurrying around the house but Mary is sitting at the foot of Jesus and Martha is rebuked for wanting Mary to help. But have you ever considered the background of Martha?

I never had until I read the new Diana Wallis Taylor novel, Martha. This biblical historical novel tells the story of Martha, Mary and Lazarus (yes, the same Lazarus Jesus rose from the dead). Taylor does an excellent job of making Martha less of a bad person to me. It’s widely preached in Christian mommy circles that it is far better to be Mary than Martha. I don’t disagree but knowing what I have learned about neglecting duties to one’s vocation, it just never sat right with me.

Martha is a wonderful work of fiction describing not just Martha’s family life but also exploring how Jesus & his followers may have lived during the year preceding his death, as well as afterward. I liked the story she wove around the people & the known biblical events. I like Martha, too; Taylor made her very real to me. I’m still not quite sure how I feel about Mary marrying St. Andrew, though. I also would have liked a little more foreshadowing of the ending, too, but it doesn’t detract from the richness of the story as a whole.

All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes biblical or historical fiction. I liked how this was almost more of a regular novel than a full-on romance–it gives this book a much wider potential audience. But if you like romances you will like this too .

Available June 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

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Time-Saver Tuesday: Best Beach Tip EVER!

Jun 28th, 2011

by jen.

3 comments

This was originally posted on another blog of mine (Happy Homemaker Reviews). I consolidated them to continue to simplify my life. – Jen (04.2012)

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We are a beach-going family and last summer we had the whole deal down and would spend all day at the beach. Here are OUR top 5 beach going tips:

1. Baby Powder

The best beach tip I ever got was to take some baby powder with me. You can use it to get sand off little wet bottoms or your feet before you get dressed or get in your car. It works fabulously!

2. Snacks and Drinks

Always take snacks and drinks. In the city you might have places to eat and drink close by, but in the country (i.e. northern Michigan) that isn’t usually the case. We love Pringles (the can keeps them from breaking), animal crackers and granola bars (non-chocolate if you please). We also love our large drink cooler to keep water cold.

3. Get the gear.

If you love going to the beach, get the gear that will make it enjoyable. Last year, we purchased two LOW sitting canvas beach chairs that go in a bag. LOVED them. They made the beach experience WAY better. We also figured out how best to use our beach umbrella and I’d love to get a beach tent/shelter for this year now that we have a baby.

4. Sun Protection.

Nothing ruins your time at the beach than getting fried. Get the things you need to keep you and your kids from being burnt to a crisp. If that means long-sleeved rash guards and big hats, cool. If that means Coppertone(TM), fine. Do whatever you are comfortable with–if you’d like another option, check out Katie’s post on natural sunscreens.

5. Have a list!

Half the battle of being able to take advantage of opportunities is being prepared! Here is our list:

Beach PL

Have anything we should add to the list? Let me know and I’ll change it!

This post will be linked to Works for Me Wednesday @ We Are THAT Family.

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Beside Still Waters {Book Review}

Jun 26th, 2011

by jen.

2 comments

Beside Still Waters is Tricia Goyer’s newest and probably her best novel to date! It’s the story of a young woman whose very birth was the result of a tragedy. Marianne’s parents buggy was hit by a semi truck one night & her two older sisters were killed instantly. The stress caused her mother to go into labor and she was born in the shadow of the wreckage. As a result, Marianne has always felt like she has lived in the shadows of her family.

She is hoping for a chance to live a normal life of her own and is heartbroken to discover that her parents are planning to move the family from the close-knit Amish community that the family has been in for generations. Upset to be leaving everything she knows in Indiana to go to a more liberal community in Montana, Marianne struggles with what she had home versus what she could have in Montana. This book is a story of growth, change & struggle.

I have read several of Tricia Goyer‘s books in the past. I enjoyed Beside Still Waters, the first in The Big Sky Country series the best. I was immediately drawn in by the characters, their struggles & heartaches. She expertly tells the story of Marianne and her family in both the new and old Amish communities. The story is neatly wrapped up but still whets the readers appetite for the next one.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fiction. If you like Amish fiction than you will love this book! I think this might be the best book she has written so far. Check it out today!

Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of the Beside Still Waters Campaign and received a copy of the book and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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