CSFF: North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson

Sometimes the internet get hungry and eats the strangest things. For example, I posted the CSFF tour for North! Or Be Eaten on January 29th. However, it's been eaten, not even a crumb remains.

SO, my apolgies to everyone on the tour, here is the post again. For my readers, Enjoy! This is a great read. Without further ado...

The CSFF proudly presents:

North! Or Be Eaten
Wild escapes. A desperate journey. And the ghastly Fangs of Dang

by

Andrew Peterson

About the Book:

Janner, Tink, and Leeli Igiby thought they were normal children with normal lives and a normal past. But now they know they’re really the Lost Jewels of Anniera, heirs to a legendary kingdom across the sea, and suddenly everyone wants to kill them. In order to survive, the Igibys must flee to the safety of the Ice Prairies, where the lizardlike Fangs of Dang cannot follow. First, however, they have to escape the monsters of Glipwood Forest,1 the thieving Stranders of the East Bend,2 and the dreaded Fork Factory.3
But even more dangerous are the jealousies and bitterness that threaten to tear them apart, and Janner and his siblings must learn the hard way that the love of a family is more important than anything else.

1. All possessing very sharp teeth.


2. Murderous scoundrels, the lot.


3. Woe!


About the Author:

Frederick Buechner said, “The story of one of us is the story of us all.”

Perhaps this explains why we are drawn to great storytellers, why we yearn for connection with those whose own stories seep with imagination.

Singer/songwriter Andrew Peterson fits inside both of those categories. And the most recent chapter for this prolific storyteller includes a stunning new album, Resurrection Letters, Volume II.

When not pouring imagery into his songs, Peterson focuses on another kind of writing. Last March, Waterbrook Press published the author’s first fantasy novel, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, to critical acclaim. Garrison Keillor’s News from Lake Wobegon and The Chronicles of Narnia, along with bedtime tales Peterson spun for his daughter Skye and two sons Aedan and Jesse, inspired the book. In fact, he has already begun penning the second installment of the Wingfeather Saga series. In 2007, a richly illustrated children’s book, The Ballad of Matthew’s Begats (Thomas Nelson), became a visual companion to Peterson’s song of the same name. In addition, he’s been lending his diverse talents to the VeggieTales establishment, co-writing three children’s songs with solo artist and friend, Randall Goodgame.

Many would consider the current setting of Peterson’s multi-faceted work somewhat idyllic. Last year, he relocated his family of five to a charming little house on the side of a hill just south of Nashville. The storybook dwelling offers a respite from the artist’s hectic schedule, while also quenching the boyish side of Peterson, always thirsty for a new adventure.

“To love, to hope, to dream is to exercise the imagination, and the more you use it the bigger and better it becomes,” says the writer. “I try to be constantly aware of the gift it is to be alive, to recognize that the world is full of surprises, that God isn't hiding behind the curtain like the Wizard of Oz, concealing Himself because He's smaller than what He projects. Instead, the veil that conceals God's fullness exists because of his mercy, because our minds couldn’t contain him and would probably fry to a crisp. He shows himself to us in small doses, urging our imaginations to expand that we might find ourselves lost in wonder, truly awake and able to see the world not just as it is but as it will one day be.”

Here's the rest of the tour:
Brandon Barr
Amy Browning
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
Todd Michael Greene
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
Nissa
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
James Somers
Steve and Andrew
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Elizabeth Williams
KM Wilsher

CFBA: Becca By the Book by Laura Jensen Walker

Song Stuck on the Brain: Temporary Home by Carrie Underwood

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

Becca By The Book
Zondervan (January 1, 2010)

by

Laura Jensen Walker



ABOUT THE BOOK:

Sales clerk, barista, telemarketer, sign waver...

At twenty-five, free-spirited Becca Daniels is still trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up. What Becca doesn’t want to be is bored. She craves the rush of a new experience, whether it’s an extreme sport, a shocking hair color, or a new guy. That’s why she quit her bookstore job, used her last bit of credit to go skydiving, and broke her leg.

And that’s why, grounded and grumpy, Becca bristles when teased by friends for being commitment-phobic. In response, Becca issues an outrageous wager—that she can sustain a three-month or twenty-five date relationship with the next guy who asks her out. When the guy turns out to be “churchy” Ben—definitely not Becca’s type—she gamely embarks on a hilarious series of dates that plunge her purple-haired, free-speaking, commitment-phobic self into the alien world of church potlucks and prayer meetings.

This irrepressible Getaway Girl will have you cheering her on as she “suffers” through her dates, gains perspective on her life’s purpose, and ultimately begins her greatest adventure of all.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Becca By The Book, go HERE


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura Jensen Walker is an award-winning writer, popular speaker, and breast-cancer survivor who loves to touch readers and audiences with the healing power of laughter.

Born in Racine, Wisconsin (home of Western Printing and Johnson’s Wax—maker of your favorite floor care products) Laura moved to Phoenix, Arizona when she was in high school. But not being a fan of blazing heat and knowing that Uncle Sam was looking for a few good women, she enlisted in the United States Air Force shortly after graduation and spent the next five years flying a typewriter through Europe.

Her lifelong dream of writing fiction came true in Spring 2005 with the release of her first chick lit novel, Dreaming in Black & White which won the Contemporary Fiction Book of the Year from American Christian Fiction Writers. Her sophomore novel, Dreaming in Technicolor was published in Fall 2005.

Laura’s third novel, Reconstructing Natalie, chosen as the Women of Faith Novel of the Year for 2006, is the funny and poignant story of a young, single woman who gets breast cancer and how her life is reconstructed as a result. This book was born out of Laura’s cancer speaking engagements where she started meeting younger and younger women stricken with this disease—some whose husbands had left them, and others who wondered what breast cancer would do to their dating life. She wanted to write a novel that would give voice to those women. Something real. And honest. And funny.

Because although cancer isn’t funny, humor is healing.

To learn more about Laura’s latest novels, please check out her Books page.

A popular speaker and teacher at writing conferences, Laura has also been a guest on hundreds of radio and TV shows around the country including the ABC Weekend News, The 700 Club, and The Jay Thomas Morning Show.

She lives in Northern California with her Renaissance-man husband Michael, and Gracie, their piano playing dog.

CFBA: Kelly's Chance by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Song Stuck on the Brain: Viva La Vida by Coldplay

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

Kelly’s Chance Barbour Books; Reprint edition (January 1, 2010)

by

Wanda E. Brunstetter








ABOUT THE BOOK:

Life for Kelly McGregor is a daily drudge of driving her overbearing father’s mules along Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Canal. She dreams of one day owning an art gallery where her own drawings and paintings are on display. But these dreams don’t include marriage. . .not after seeing what her father has done to her mother. How then can Mike Cooper, a general store owner, make her realize he is different than her father and wants to support her artistic talent? Will Kelly learn that dreams can walk hand in hand with a love created by God?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Kelly’s Chance , go HERE.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Note From Wanda:



Ever since I was a child, I wanted to be a writer. When I was in the second grade, I wrote my first poem about a moth. Luckily, I received encouragement from my teacher. During my teen years, I wrote skits that my church teen group performed during special holidays.



It wasn’t until 1980, that I took a course on writing for children and teenagers. I became serious about a career as an author. Soon after that, I began to write stories, articles, poems, and devotionals, which appeared in a variety of Christian publications. Later, I had 5 books of puppet/ventriloquist scripts published. *These books are currently available by contacting me. (wanda@wandabrunstetter.com)



My first novel was released by Barbour Publishing’s book club, Heartsong Presents, in Dec. 1997. I have now written nearly fifty books, with over 4 million books in print. Many of the novels I've written are Amish-themed.

CFBA: A Lady Like Sarah by Margaret Brownley

Song Stuck on the Brain: That silly Comet song from grade school. Someone mentioned using it to clean their counters this morning and out of nowhere the song starts running through my head. Do you remember it? "Comet, it makes your mouth turn green. Comet, it tastes like Listerene. Comet, it makes you vomit, so get some Comet and vomit today!" Sad isn't it?

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:



A Lady Like Sarah by Margaret Brownley
Thomas Nelson; Original edition (December 22, 2009)


MY TAKE:

My sister and I both enjoyed this book. It was funny, fast paced and tugged at your heart strings. The characters were unique, and not your standard cookie-cutter variety. I only had 2 slight misgivings about the book.

One was Sarah's style of speaking. It was funny and totally unique (especially her colloquialisms. More often then a duck goes barefoot? Love it.) However, sometimes her unusual voice became distracting, disturbing the emotion of the scene for me.

Second was her physical desciption of her journey through Missouri to Texas. Probably because I'm a Missouri girl, I noticed flaws that most wouldn't. For example, you cannot see the Ozark mountains from anywhere near St. Louis. For that matter, the Ozark mountains aren't visible until you're entering them. Missouri is a bigger state than most give it credit for. St. Louis is at the top of the state and the Ozarks are much closer to our southern border. It's a beautiful area though. So, I highly recommend seeing them for yourself.

Over all though, these didn't detract from the overall strength and enjoyability of the book. I'd recommend it.

ABOUT THE BOOK :

Sarah Prescott has never known a respectable life; just a hardscrabble childhood and brothers who taught her to shoot straight.



Justin Wells left Boston in disgrace, heading out alone on the dusty trail to Texas. But when the once-respected clergyman encounters a feisty redhead in handcuffs with a dying US Marshall at her side, their journey takes a dramatic turn.



His high society expectations and Sarah's outlaw habits clash from the start. With a price on her head and a sweet orphan in tow, Justin and Sarah make the difficult journey toward Rocky Creek. There justice will be meted out hopefully with a portion of grace.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Lady Like Sarah, go HERE

Watch the Book Trailer:





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance: Margaret penned it all. Nothing wrong with this, except Margaret happened to be writing for the church newsletter. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, "Maybe God's calling you to write fiction."

It turns out God was and Margaret did. She now has more than 20 novels to her credit. In addition, she's written many Christian articles and a non-fiction book. Still, it took a lot of prodding from God before Margaret tried her hand at writing inspirational fiction which led to her Rocky Creek series. "I love writing about characters at different stages of faith," she says of the new direction her writing career has taken, "and I'm here to stay."

Happily married to her real-life hero, Margaret and her husband live in Southern California.

CFBA: The Judas Ride by Peggy Sue Yarber

SONG STUCK ON THE BRAIN: Stargate SG-1 theme music. We're re-watching the series and we're almost through season 2. Love the show and the music? I don't mind that one being stuck on the brain.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:

The Judas Ride

by

Peggy Sue Yarber
Tate Publishing (December 8, 2009)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

An unwed (and unwanted) teen pregnancy with two possible fathers. Abusive relationships. Drug and alcohol addiction. Rape and molestation. The struggle to understand grace, forgiveness, and free will versus predestination. The Judas Ride hits the road running in the opening pages, where Sonia and Xavier argue explosively about whether Sonia should have their unborn child and about who the father is: Xavier, a struggling Christian, or Vader, an abusive and abused drug dealer. As the pages turn, readers continue to meet a hodgepodge of troubled teens and eclectic characters, including Pastor Manny, a quirky immigrant pastor infatuated with John Wayne. Pastor Manny desires to help the tortured souls in his community but finds that it takes more than unconditional love to reach them. Secrets literally kill in The Judas Ride, an edgy, in-your-your face Christian novel that boldly explores the struggles of modern-day young people.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Judas Ride, go HERE


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Peggy Sue Yarber, PhD in psychology, lives in central California with her husband, two daughters, six turtles and two dogs. She works in the field of education.

The Judas Ride was inspired by her current and previous students. She has seen and experienced and seen similarities between the students and Jesus’ traitor, Judas Iscariot. She has always been fascinated with Judas. Yarber went to a catholic school when she was young and Judas was always portrayed like a mysterious rebel.

She ventures to say, “I guess he was my James Dean of the Bible. But in a good way! In the way that…he did something so wrong so that the entire world could be saved. He had to betray Jesus in order for the rest of the story. I have always wondered what it would be like to not do that one bad thing that would lead to that one great thing. So I had the Vader character sort of run through the paces of Judas.”

Redemption and reality are the two distinguishing features about Yarber’s writing. Not all teens find redemption in The Judas Ride. Yarber considered trying to show the negative outcomes as much as the positive. She wasn’t thinking in terms of positive and negative but she did try to balance the two sides. Yarber says she often sees people daily that , “…have even more screwed up lives than these characters.” Yarber admits sometimes there is not an ending to the madness unless someone dies and then even after the death the ripples still linger. She has written another novel TARE and a children’s book Rocketships to Heaven and the SOS Fuel Station. She loves to run, read, shoot guns and watch her daughters play soccer.

CFBA: The Last Day by James Landis

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:
The Last Day
by
James Landis
Steerforth; 1 edition (September 1, 2009)

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Warren Harlan Pease, the young narrator of this spellbinding novel, returns to his native New Hampshire from the Iraq War and spends an entire day with Jesus visiting and contemplating hi own life with fresh eyes, and a willing heart. He examines his relationships to those he loves─his girlfriend, his best friend, his father, his dead mother, his daughter ─ and grapples with the pain he has been carrying since the death of his mother when he was still a boy.

While in Iraq, armed with his sniper’s ‘s rifle and his deeply held faith, Specialist Pease traveled across ideological borders and earned an appreciation for his enemy’s culture and for what connect us all as human beings. He also learned how to kill and taught others to do the same. “War doesn’t test your faith in Jesus,” Warren comes to realize. “It tests your faith in yourself.” The Last Day answers some questions and asks many more. It’s a powerful meditation on religion and war, love and loss.

This work of compassion and healing grace will resonate with skeptics and believers, be shared and discussed between friends and among families. It is a book for our time, and forever.


If you would like to read an excerpt from Chapter one of , go HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

James Landis lives in New Hampshire.

Enter to Win

January holds a new begining for a great year and two new books you have to read.

Enter to Win:

Through the Fire by Shawn Grady

or

The Fence My Father Built by Linda S. Clare

To enter, click on the book cover in the sidebar and email me your completed entry. The contest is open to US residents only and ends at midnight, January 31, 2010.

Good Luck!

A.

And the winner is...

Congratulations to Jo and Charity!

They are the winners of :


Dangerous Heart by Tracey Bateman

&

Fields of Grace by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Checking in... one last time

I'm sure many of you have probably seen this email go around. I've seen it before too. It always makes me a little misty eyed, reminding me to see Jesus as more than just someone to dump all my concerns and problems on. He's a friend too and deserves more than whining.

Today when I read it, I really cried. Since my Dad passed in mid-October, it has a deeper meaning for me. Dad remembered that Jesus was a friend as well as our Savior and I have no doubt that Jesus held his hand through it all. He held all our hands and helped us through. In fact Jesus allowed me a special blessing in the hours after Dad passed away. In the early morning hours, we all took a much needed rest before getting up in a couple of hours to begin all the phone calls and arrangements. Emotional and sad, I went to bed and poured my heart out to God, and thanked Him that Dad hadn't suffered. But I missed my Dad. As I was falling asleep, I felt my Dad's hand holding mine. It was a last goodbye and moment of comfort, a gift that God allowed so Dad could check in one last time.

I hope this blesses you in some way too.

A minister passing through his church
in the middle of the day,
decided to pause by the altar
and see who had come to pray.

Just then the back door opened,
a man came down the aisle.
The minister frowned as he saw
the man hadn't shaved in quite a while.

His shirt was kinda shabby
and his coat was worn and frayed.
The man knelt, he bowed his head,
then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed,
each noon time came this chap.
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
a lunch pail in his lap..

Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
with robbery a main fear.
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
'What are you doing here?'

The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
for finding strength and power.

'I stay only moments, see,
because the factory is so far away;
as I kneel here talking to the Lord,
this is kinda what I say:

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY.'

The minister feeling foolish,
told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome
to come and pray just anytime

Time to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.'
He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,
he'd never done it before.

His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
and met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart,
he repeated old Jim's prayer:

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.'

Past noon one day, the minister noticed
that old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim,
he began to worry some.

At the factory, he asked about him,
learning he was ill.

The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.
The week that Jim was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.

The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad,
when no flowers, calls or cards came, Not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared..
He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Jim spoke
up and with a winsome smile;
'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
that He's in here all the while

Everyday at noon He's here,
a dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN
TODAY.'

A.

CFBA: Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida by Sandra D. Bricker

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:
Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida

by
Sandra D. Bricker
Summerside Press (November 1, 2009)



ABOUT THE BOOK:

Lawyer Cassie Constantine has no plans to stay in Florida. She's here just long enough to sell her late husbands vacation house, a tacky bungalow she's always despised then she'll hightail it back to her gracious Boston brownstone.

But the place needs more work than Cassie bargained for. What's more, her widow status is like a target on her back and the elderly matchmakers around town manage to sidetrack her mission at every turn.

Holiday is a landmine of golf tournaments, ballroom dancing competitions, shuffleboard and day trips. But the biggest obstacle of all? Richard Dillon, the stuffed shirt she's paired with on the dance floor.

Cassie had always considered herself uptight but Richard won't take a walk on the beach without his socks and shoes! There's one little problem he makes her heart beat faster than the rhythm of the quickstep. Can Cassie and Richard let loose long enough to have a little fun?

If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida, go HERE.


Watch the trailer:



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For more than a decade, Author Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While writing in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistant
and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver.

One of Sandie's passions revolves around the rights of animals. She's been involved in fundraising for Lost Angels Animal Rescue for several years now; in fact, a portion of the proceeds of Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida will go to help the non-profit group with their expenses. And Lost Angels paid her back in a big way: They brought a free-spirited Collie named Sophie into her life after the loss of her 15-year companion Caleb.

It was her 8th novel that opened the door to finding her way as a writer.

In Sandie's words: "I guess most people would see my career as a publicist as a sort of dream job. But giving it up turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me!" she declares. "Not only was I given the gift of getting to know my mother as an adult woman before she passed away, but I was also afforded the blessing of being able to focus completely on my dream of a writing career. I'm a Christian woman, first and foremost, so it was a bit of a dream-come-true when Summerside Press chose me as one of two authors to launch their new Love Finds You line."

Snow, snow and more snow

Song Stuck on the Brain: All By Myself by Celine Dion

Kind of a fitting song, since I keep getting snowed in. The KC metro area hasn't seen this much snow in YEARS. I know, most of you northeners are suffering more, so I'll try not to whine tooo much. But doggone it, we're facing our 5th snow storm in two weeks and the city isn't keeping up with our dead end street. It takes two days to get plowed and sanded, and then it dumps more snow. I want to trade in my Intrepid for a 4 wheel drive Jeep. Never thought I'd need one of those in the city.

A friend emailed me this today, and I have to say... I identify.

DIARY OF A SNOW SHOVELER

December 8 - 6:00 PM

It started to snow. The first snow of the
season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours
by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down
from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses
Print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love
snow!

December 9

We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white
snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a
fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the
whole world? Moving here was the best idea I've
ever had!

Shovelled for the first time in years and felt like
a boy again. I did both our driveway and the
sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplough came along and covered up
the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to
shovel again. What a perfect life!

December 12

The sun has melted all our lovely snow..
Such a disappointment! My neighbor tells me not to
worry- we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on
Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so
much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow
again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is
such a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.

December 14

Snow, lovely snow! 8 inches last
night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes
everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but
I warmed up by shovelling the driveway and sidewalks. This
is the life! The snowplough came back this afternoon
and buried everything again. I didn't realize I
would have to do quite this much shovelling, but I'll certainly
get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and
puff so.

December 15

20 inches forecast. Sold my van and
bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's
car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife
wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I
think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska , after all.

December 16

Ice storm this morning. Fell on my butt on
the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like
all get out. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.

December 17

Still way below freezing. Roads are too
icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5
hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do
but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I
should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to
her. I hate it when she's right. I can't believe
I'm freezing to death in my own living room.

December 20

Electricity's back on, but had another 14
inches of the darn stuff last night. More
shovelling! Took all day. The dang snowplough came by twice.
Tried to find a neighbour kid to shovel, but they said they're
too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only
hardware store around to see about buying a snow
blower and they're out. Might have another shipment
in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city
will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying..

December 22

Bob was right about a white Christmas because
13 more inches of the white crap fell today, and it's so cold, it
probably won't melt till August. Took me
45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to
pee. By the time I got undressed, peed and dressed again,
I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has
a plough on his truck for the rest of the winter, but he says
he's too busy. I think the butthead is lying.

December 23

Only 2 inches of snow today. And it
warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of
the house this morning. What is she, nuts?!! Why
didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did,
but I think she's lying.

December 24

6 inches - Snow packed so hard by snowplough, I
broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart
attack. If I ever catch the jerk who drives that snow
plough, I'll drag him through the snow by his feet and
beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he hides
around the corner and waits for me to finish shovelling and
then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and
throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the
wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our
presents, but I was too busy watching for the snowplough.

December 25

Merry fricking Christmas! 20 more inches
of the slop tonight - Snowed in. The idea of
shovelling makes my blood boil. MAN, I hate the snow! Then
the snowplough driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him
over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a
bad attitude. I think she's a fricking
idiot. If I have to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" one more
time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.

December 26

Still snowed in. Why in the world did I ever
move here? It was all HER idea. She's
really getting on my nerves.

December 27

Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes
froze; plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him, he
only charged me $1,400 to replace all my pipes.


December 28

Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed
in. My WIFE is driving me crazy!!!


December 29

10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel
the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest
thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?

December 30

Roof caved in. I beat up the snow plough
driver, and now he is suing me for a million dollars, not only
the beating I gave him, but also for trying to shove the
broken snow shovel up his BUTT. The wife went home to
her mother. Nine more inches predicted.

December 31

I set fire to what's left of the
house. No more shovelling.

January 8
Feel so good. I just love those little
white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the
bed?



LOL! That's exactly how it feels right now. Every other day their claiming 2-6". Doesn't sound too bad until it all piles on top of the rest. Our high for Thursday is 0. That's the HIGH!

So ready for spring.
A.

CFBA: The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen

Song Stuck on the Brain: I'm Your's by Jason Mraz

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:


The Silent Governess


by


Julie KlassenBethany House; Original edition (January 1, 2010)




MY TAKE:

I loved this book. Historicals sometimes begin to feel repetitive and a little overdone, but Julie did a fantastic job with this one. Reminded me a little of Jane Austen. The relationships were believable and compelling. And all those secrets! I couldn't put it down, I had to know how she was going to make the story work. Not to give anything away, but guessing the family connections between all the players was very nail biting, especially in the romance department. This book was refreshing and not the least bit repetitive to it's genre.

ABOUT THE BOOK:


Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his.

But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything--his reputation, his inheritance, his very home.

He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something.

Moving, mysterious, and romantic, The Silent Governess takes readers inside the intriguing life of a nineteenth-century governess in an English manor house where all is not as it appears.

If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of The Silent Governess, go HERE. You can also sign up as a Follower when you get to that page, and get announcements of the first chapters for all the great books we tour!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie says: My background is in advertising and marketing, but I am blessed with a dream job—working as an editor of Christian fiction. I have been writing since childhood, but Lady of Milkweed Manor was my first novel. It was a finalist for a Christy Award and won second place in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards. My second novel, The Apothecary's Daughter, was a finalist in the ACFW Book of the Year awards. I am currently writing one novel a year.

I graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoy travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends.

My husband and I have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Happy New Year, Blue Moon and all

I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year. It's so hard to believe another year has passed. And to go out with such a cool finale. A Blue Moon! I couldn't resist, I had to take pics and share it with my friends. My camera doesn't have the best night mode, so I had to lighten them up in photoshop. I think they still look cool and a little artsy maybe? I took them from my back door, looking through the giant ice cicles hanging from the roof.

CSFF: North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson

Song Stuck on the Brain: Fallin' For You by Colbie Caillat

Today the CSFF is sponsoring:

North! Or Be Eaten: Wild escapes.

A desperate journey.

And the ghastly Fangs of Dang.

(The Wingfeather Saga)

by

Andrew Peterson

About the Book:

North! Or Be Eaten is the second book in the Wingfeather Saga. A fast paced and unique story, it has a style all its own. The cast is fun and you just can't put it down. If you enjoy fantasy stories, you have to check this one out.

Many authors and bloggers have great things to say about Andrew's novels, so check out their reviews too.

You can read more about The Wingfeather series and the author by clicking HERE.

About the Author:

Frederick Buechner said, “The story of one of us is the story of us all.”

Perhaps this explains why we are drawn to great storytellers, why we yearn for connection with those whose own stories seep with imagination.

Singer/songwriter Andrew Peterson fits inside both of those categories. And the most recent chapter for this prolific storyteller includes a stunning new album, Resurrection Letters, Volume II.

When not pouring imagery into his songs, Peterson focuses on another kind of writing. Last March, Waterbrook Press published the author’s first fantasy novel, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, to critical acclaim. Garrison Keillor’s News from Lake Wobegon and The Chronicles of Narnia, along with bedtime tales Peterson spun for his daughter Skye and two sons Aedan and Jesse, inspired the book. In fact, he has already begun penning the second installment of the Wingfeather Saga series. In 2007, a richly illustrated children’s book, The Ballad of Matthew’s Begats (Thomas Nelson), became a visual companion to Peterson’s song of the same name. In addition, he’s been lending his diverse talents to the VeggieTales establishment, co-writing three children’s songs with solo artist and friend, Randall Goodgame.

Usually found with his hands dipped inside several honey pots at once, Peterson has also launched an online artists’ community known as The Rabbit Room (www.rabbitroom.com). Here songwriters, artists, and authors converge to share ideas. Music can be heard, new and used books from favorite writers can be purchased. It’s a place where imagination roams free and connection is made, two elements that seem to permeate everything Peterson touches.

“To love, to hope, to dream is to exercise the imagination, and the more you use it the bigger and better it becomes,” says the writer. “I try to be constantly aware of the gift it is to be alive, to recognize that the world is full of surprises, that God isn't hiding behind the curtain like the Wizard of Oz, concealing Himself because He's smaller than what He projects. Instead, the veil that conceals God's fullness exists because of his mercy, because our minds couldn’t contain him and would probably fry to a crisp. He shows himself to us in small doses, urging our imaginations to expand that we might find ourselves lost in wonder, truly awake and able to see the world not just as it is but as it will one day be.”

Be sure and visit fellow CSFF bloggers and read their thoughts:
Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Amy Browning
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
Jeff Draper
Todd Michael Greene
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
Nissa
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
James Somers
Steve and Andrew
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Fred Warren
Jason Waguespac
Phyllis Wheeler
Elizabeth Williams
KM Wilsher

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.