Saturday, November 28, 2015

Civil War Meets Romance in Andrea Boeshaar’s New Book (Plus a Kindle Giveaway)


About the book: 

A Thousand Shall Fall: A Civil War Novel (Kregel, November 2015)



A story of love, hope, and healing set in the midst of the Civil War

Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off---only to find she's fallen into the hands of the enemy.

Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they're all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.

Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally---and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?

Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, A Thousand Shall Fall is framed around compelling characters and a very romantic setting in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Andrea Boeshaar's extensive research guarantees historical accuracy and romance genre enthusiasts and Civil War buffs alike will enjoy the Christian perspectives on actual historical events.

Purchase a copy: 
http://bit.ly/1jbj37T

MY THOUGHTS-Andrea Boeshaar is an excellent author who actually made me read about a time period I normally don't even pick up. The American Civil War is often a dry topic for me, I prefer reading non-fiction that tells actual historical events. A Thousand Shall Fall is the start to a new series and while it is not my favorite of hers, the pace is a bit slow, it is still very good.

Carrie Ann and Peyton are such a sweet couple. Carrie has such a funny way about her and the humor in the book comes from her. It kind of adds some warmth to the otherwise dark and horrible story of the war. The Colonel is kind and rugged, making a perfect match to Carrie and her impetuous ways. The author has definitely done her research and you can tell it from the notes she includes at the front. The scenes and events are portrayed in such a vivid manner. Amazing attention to detail! Again, it was a good book, just not a favorite.


THE GIVEAWAY!

The search for her runaway sister goes awry when Carrie finds herself arrested during the Civil War for impersonating an officer in Andrea Boeshaar's A Thousand Shall Fall. Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel who arrested her. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally—and more than that, someone she could love. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?


Andrea is celebrating the release of A Thousand Shall Fall with a Kindle Fire giveaway!




400 - a thousand shall fall 


One grand prize winner will receive:



  • A copy of A Thousand Shall Fall

  • A Kindle Fire HD 6


  • Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 10th. The winner will be announced December 11th on Andrea's blog.




    a thousand shall fall-enterbanner


    **DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

    Wednesday, November 25, 2015

    Gifts for the Children with Odyssey Adventure Club! #Holiday #Gift



    OAC-Gift-That-Lasts-All-Year-Facebook-Cover 



    What’s on your children’s Christmas wish list? As excited as they might be about that new toy, as every parent knows, the thrill of the gift will eventually wear off. Focus on the Family and Adventures in Odyssey have created the perfect gift for those who want to give their children or grandchildren a present that will provide year-round fun with eternal impact.




    The Odyssey Adventure Club (OAC) offers families 24/7 access to 25 years’ worth of Adventures in Odyssey (AIO) episodes in a safe online environment where children can explore and learn. Christmas really is the perfect time to tap into your children’s imagination while infusing faith and fun into their day . . . and every day of the year.




    To celebrate the holidays this year, the OAC is offering free content for everyone, including an Advent calendar, a broadcast download with tips to create a memorable Christmas, AIO cutouts and Christmas stocking stuffer cards. Membership to the OAC costs just $9.99 a month — or even less if parents make a six-month or one-year commitment. Enrollment provides more than enough content to keep kids engaged throughout the year:




    • Access to exclusive content and first looks at books and select Radio Theatre dramas.

    • On-the-go access to the OAC app for both iOS and Android users.

    • 24/7 streaming access to nearly 800 AIO episodes.

    • A new, members-only AIO episode every month.

    • A subscription to Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse Magazine, and more.

    In keeping with AIO’s rich heritage of teaching children about biblical principles — such as the importance of giving — a portion of each OAC membership benefits Focus on the Family partner organizations. Here are a couple of examples of what has been accomplished through Odyssey Adventure Club members:



    The Odyssey Adventure Club wants to reach beyond fleeting entertainment this Christmas, partnering with parents in helping their kids grow deep in faith and find their place in God’s story.





    talesadvent 



    Speaking of the holidays, you can prepare for Christmas with Thriving Family's 2015 Advent Activity Calendar — Tales of Christmas Past: 25 Inspiring true stories of the season. Assemble a beautifully designed Advent poster to help your kids focus on Christ this Christmas. Then read Scripture passages and stories that relate to individual flaps on the poster. You can also create easy-to-fold booklets for each story. Get more information about this year's free Advent calendar at ThrivingFamily.com/Advent, or sign up to download it.




    To learn more about the Odyssey Adventure Club, visit www.oaclub.org, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.




    **DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

    Monday, November 23, 2015

    2015 HGG EtekCity Keyboard & Scale! #Review #GiftGuide

    Well, it has finally arrived!! You all know what I am talking about? The well-known...greatly looked for..the much prepped for...... 2015 Holiday Gift Guide from Giveaway Lady!! I have tons of new products to share with you all as well as some great giveaways and companies that you will be wanting to purchase from this holiday season.



    TECH OR FITNESS GIFT!!

    EtekCity is one of those companies where you could probably find a gift for anyone on their site. We are talking tech gear with keyboards and speakers, fitness scales, food scales, emergency flashlights, outdoor stuff, etc. The possibilities are endless here. For my review I chose the Digital Body Fat Bathroom Scale and the Waterproof Wired Gaming Keyboard. Read on to see my review with the pictures!



    I have been needing a new scale for some time as my lifestyle change with Trim Healthy Mama has made me want to actually step on one again. For a time there I didn't even want to see the numbers as they popped up but now that I am losing weight I don't mind getting on to see where I am this week. When I first opened the Digital Body Scale I thought the design was cool. But after figuring it out, I realized the metal plate design is actually for the ability to track your BMI. I love what this has the ability to do!



    And no, that is not my weight:) It will track up to 12 users and all their information. Including sex, height, weight and age. This is perfect for our family as we have 6 people who use the scale. We can each have a profile and cycle through it so it will keep track for each person. This is a huge deal in our family!



    Now bear in mind on this second review. I am not really into the whole big gaming thing. I enjoy playing a few games now and then but I wanted to use this so I didn't ruin the keyboard on my laptop. The Wired Waterproof Gaming Keyboard is backlit which is great but my favorite part of it? How big it is! I love the design of it and the ability to plug it in and just type away without having wrist problems. I don't know about you, but after typing for a while and my wrists are resting on the edge of my laptop, it can be cause a bit of pain. Not with this baby! It is waterproof, yes I tested it with drops but not a whole cup of water or anything, and it has a Windows lock button which allows for no errors while in the middle of playing a game. And you can change the back light color from a red to yellow, or blue or even purple as there are seven different options. I am totally in love!



    The other big plus for me with Etekcity is their price range. The quality of these products compared to the price value is great. They would make perfect gifts for Christmas and I am sure you can find something for just about anyone in your home. Be sure to drop by Etekcity on their social media pages as well as their website.





    **DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

    Tuesday, November 17, 2015

    Bubba's Pet Odor Terminator and Carpet Cleaner!

    As a pet family, we often have little accidents that are hard to clean up. And that would come from the animals, not the little humans:) I have used carpet cleaners on these spots but many times there is still a smell that pervades the carpet or rug.



    This carpet cleaner is made specifically to cover those pet smells and odors, as well as cleaning the carpet of stains. I found the smell to be strong but not overpowering, nor is it one of those that hangs on forever. It does its job and then you can't tell it is there. We actually had a puppy not make it to the door once since I have had this and we were able to apply the cleaner on the rug. It did a good job at cleaning the stain and thankfully, taking the smell of urine out of my bedside rug. Definitely worth the price, good for all pet families!

    *Disclosure* I received this item at a discounted price in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts are 100% mine.



    **DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

    Another Way Home by Deborah Raney with #Review

    Another Way Home(Abingdon Press, October 2015)

    Sometimes God’s ways are not at all what we expect . . . and exactly what we need.
    Grant and Audrey are adding grandchildren to their family left and right, but middle daughter, Danae, and her husband, Dallas Brooks, have been trying for years with no baby in sight.
    Though Danae is ready to consider adoption, Dallas will not even discuss it. Despairing of ever having a family of her own, Danae decides to pour her passion and energies into volunteer work with a newly opened women’s shelter in town. Looking for a good cause to fill her lonely days, she never expects to give her heart to the hurting women she meets there. She’s finally learning to live her life with gratitude, but then heart-wrenching events on Thanksgiving weekend threaten to pull the entire Whitman clan into turmoil—and leave them all forever changed.

    MY THOUGHTS- This series by Deborah Raney has been quite a trip. They are gritty and deal with real life issues that come upon us. If you have not read the previous books in the series, I would say do that before picking this one up. It can be very hard to follow the characters lives, even after reading the others in the series.

    Each book kind of focuses on one family, but it is a continuation of the book before it, while it also includes all the other characters. A big family story:) This one mainly deals with Dallas and Danae(love her name by the way) who are struggling so hard to conceive. Danae is having a hard time with how much she longs for a child while Dallas is starting to get frustrated with her fixation. Her sister is pregnant, again, and so their relationship becomes strained when Danae finds out from a stranger. I have to give both Danae and Dallas credit, because while their marriage may not be the best at this point in time, they are both trying to work things out and save their relationship. I think that Deborah portrays them in a realistic way, they both have issues and problems to work through but they also love each other. I know someone in this situation, who has tried so hard to get pregnant but hasn't been able to. I know the struggles they go through and believe me, Deborah hits it right on. Perfect contemporary novel about the family!!





    **DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

    Monday, November 16, 2015

    Deadlock by DiAnn Mills With #Review



    Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder? That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book. When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it.


    MY THOUGHTS-DiAnn Mills is one of my favorite authors for writing a good suspense novel. The characters really make the book and I loved how these two worked together for one common goal. Of course, that is after some bickering and fussing with each other but in the end it all worked out. Bethany Sanchez is a spunky gal who doesn't let up for anything. And her partner, or rather she is his partner, would be Thatcher Graves. He is one who follows his gut while she is by the book rules. They kind of clash at first but when they actually take time to work with each other and see the other's viewpoint, that is when things get done! It is a mystery that I had a hard time figuring out til the end. Excellent writing style from one of the best!!



    **DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

    Saturday, November 14, 2015

    My Experience With Amwell + Free Online Doctor Visit!! #Free

    This is a sponsored post with Mums the Word Network and Amwell. All opinions are my own.

    I personally have never used an online medical aid. So this was a brand new experience for me, though I was intrigued to see how it would go. As ladies who are busy and constantly on-the-go, it is often difficult to find time, or take the time, to head into the doctor's office when something goes wrong. A few months ago I sprained my ankle, took a trip down some wet stairs and ended up in bed. I have a high instep, my mother couldn't believe how high when she actually looked at it, but it means I am constantly twisting my ankle over the smallest things but also every year or so I end up with a sprain. Without fail, I am the clumsiest person in the world! So I wanted to see if there was anything that could be done to strengthen my ankle, ways I could repair any damage that had been done, etc. My post here will be about my experience with Amwell though, not in how I will be repairing my ankle:)


    I signed up on the Amwell website as this was my first time on there. It is pretty easy to do, filling in your name and email, state, and so on. There is a lot of other information for you to fill in as well, which you can do before starting a visit or after. It is helpful to do it before though as your doctor will want to get the details before the call. I had chosen one of the providers to start my visit, and once you click that button you then have to fill out any illnesses from the past, medications you might be on, health issues, etc. Thankfully I am healthy and didn't have to mark any of those. Yes, I do want to lose weight but other than that I have no medical issues. They ask if you have insurance as well as finding a local pharmacy. I wasn't real worried about those things, our closest pharmacy is about 30 minutes away and so I went to the next page. This is for your payment, which was quickly taken care of. Then I hit start visit and oh boy, the woman I first chose was not available!



    So I went back and started all over again with the only other woman who was open at the time. I prefer dealing with a woman as it makes me more comfortable. But I did have to go through and fill out everything again. Not the greatest but not too bad. And then a pop-up window appeared and I was in the waiting room for Linda Elizabeth Stash Stiles.



    They have a little video that plays, explaining some of what will occur during the online visit. My wait was only for a few minutes. Elizabeth was very friendly, making me feel comfortable, though my sprain was not exactly her field of expertise. She looked up some exercises for me to do, asked about physical therapy and all the little details of my sprain. The visit was quick but she also sent me notes with articles to read as well as a youtube video which explains some exercises. She wrapped up the consultation and then sent an email with a transcript as well as some notes. All in all, the video chat was about 8 minutes long. Super easy to get a professional opinion on my injury!



    Now, as far as drawbacks. My first problem was how long it took me to actually get in touch with someone, plus there were only two people available. Which changed while I was in the middle of starting my visit, so I had to go through the whole sign up again. Nothing real major and I know the wait time of a doctor's office would be longer, just a bit irritating. Obviously with an online visit, if something is seriously wrong, they are not going to be able to to a whole lot, but they can prescribe medicine, physical therapy, etc. The only other thing I would say is that it is helpful to have someone who is familiar with your issue. Such as my ankle, there were only two people available. Their areas of expertise were obesity/weight and then family medicine. The diet/nutrition specialists were not available at all. I would have personally loved talking to the woman who says she specializes in down-to-earth care. Again, this is my personal opinion and I know that they are doctor's who have other lives and other people to take care of.



    I would definitely use this option in the future when I want a quick consult over something. Earaches, headaches, flu, etc. You can't beat the price and the professional help is great. Also, they have the option for Diet and Nutrition which is only $25. I would love to do that and maybe get some help over my weight.





    For me, I see this almost like the old fashioned house calls, other than they are obviously not there touching the injury and seeing everything first hand. Good to have on hand when you don't have the time to take a trip to the doctor. Excellent for mothers with no free time!

    WANT TO SEE HOW AMWELL WORKS? GET A FREE VISIT FOR ALL MY READERS!!!
    ENTER CODE  CARENOW3 AT CHECKOUT





    **DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

    Thursday, November 12, 2015

    Glory Days by Max Lucado #GloryDays ‎#FCbloggers‬

    Do you ever feel like you're stuck in a spiritual rut or that you're running on empty? The Israelites certainly did, but just as they did, you too can move from the wilderness to the Promised Land. In Glory Days, Max Lucado invites readers to leave the wilderness and discover a life defined by grace, refined by challenge, and aligned with a heavenly call. By studying the life of Joshua and the biblical book that bears his name, Lucado reveals God’s promises for every step and reminds readers that God still fights for them.



    MY REVIEW-
    There are days in my life where I feel like I am drowning in despair, and overcome with defeat. There are other days where I feel as if I could take on the whole world and conquer every temptation that comes my way. But during those days when I feel depressed, one of my favorite things to do, other than turning to the Word of God, is to pick up a book such as this one and just devour it. And with a title such as Glory Days, Max Lucado pens a book that allows the reader to draw strength and feed off the scriptures enclosed within its pages.

    I found myself drawn to this book after reading an excerpt and seeing the author talk about "wilderness Christians". Those who are still wandering in the wilderness of life and they haven't gotten to their "glory days" yet. They are saved, love the Lord and His Word, but are not experiencing the full joy over life like they should. Maybe they are still struggling with defeat, not getting the victory over temptation, etc. It could be a whole host of things. But Max Lucado shows from Scripture how as a Christian, we should be having "more victory than defeat, more joy than sadness, more hope than despair". I found myself encouraged to love the Lord more and not live in the despair I have been recently. One of my favorite quotes is this one, "Jesus spilled His blood for you, you can spill your heart before God". Man, it made me realize I haven't been loving Him the way I should be, which was making my days more difficult than they should be, hence the reason I wasn't having my Glory Days. If you feel like you know exactly what I am talking about, I would urge you to pick up this book. It will change your life if you allow it!



    **DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

    Saturday, November 7, 2015

    Fitbit Zip #Walking Activity Tracker

    I have always wanted to try out the Fitbit. I have heard wonderful things about them and how useful they are in tracking your exercise and aiding in weight loss. As many of you know, I am trying to lose weight and it is slow. Up some days and then down the next. But I am still working at it and hopefully this little wireless activity tracker is going to help me do it.



    The thing I was most worried about was the setup. How hard it would be to put it together and have it up and running. I needn't have worried. 



    The hardest part was actually figuring out if I could pop it out of the package without losing anything! It basically comes with everything you need and though this is the lowest of the Fitbit line, I am very happy with it. 



    I can tell how many steps I am taking per day, combined for the week, and how many more I should be taking. I am in love!! It is small and comes with a case which allows you to put it on your shoe, pocket or belt. 



    I found it seemed to work better on my sneaker and picked up more of my walking. This is a great took to help in walking and I can't wait to see how much more activity I find myself doing because I know it is on there. 



    This would make an excellent gift for the person who needs more exercise or is an athletic type!! Not pricey at all and I have had no problems using mine over the last week or so. Excellent!




    **DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

    Thursday, November 5, 2015

    A Respectable Actress by Dorothy Love @WriterDorothy

    A Respectable Actress (Thomas Nelson, October 2015)


    When India Hartley is accused of murder, she must uncover the deceptions of others to save herself.
    India Hartley, a famous and beautiful actress, is now alone after her father’s death and embarks upon a tour of theaters across the South. Her first stop is Savannah’s Southern Palace. On the eve of the second night’s performance, something goes horribly wrong. Her co-star, Arthur Sterling, is shot dead on stage in front of a packed house, and India is arrested and accused of the crime.
    A benefactor hires Philip Sinclair, the best—and handsomest—lawyer in Savannah to defend India. A widower, Philip is struggling to reinvent his worn-out plantation on St. Simons Island. He needs to increase his income from his law practice in order to restore Indigo Point, and hardly anything will bring him more new clients than successfully defending a famous actress on a murder charge.
    Because India can’t go anywhere in town without being mobbed, Philip persuades the judge handling her case to let him take her to Indigo Point until her trial date. India is charmed by the beauty of the Georgia lowcountry and is increasingly drawn to Philip. But a locked room that appears to be a shrine to Philip’s dead wife and the unsolved disappearance of a former slave girl raise troubling questions. Piecing together clues in an abandoned boat and a burned-out chapel, India discovers a trail of dark secrets that lead back to Philip, secrets that ultimately may hold the key to her freedom. If only he will believe her.



    MY REVIEW-I have always enjoyed the writing style of Dorothy Love. She knows how to transport a reader back into a different time period and make them feel like they are present with the characters. And A Respectable Actress is no different. The reader is taken to the town of Savannah Georgia where life is far simpler but in a way more complex. Follow along as India Hartley is accused of murder, jailed and then put on trial. Her handsome and well-known attorney would be Phillip, the man who hasn't forgotten his first wife. There is a much deeper mystery surrounding this southern town but will Phillip and India be able to figure it out before they both get swallowed up by it? An amazing story that lacked some spiritual depth but otherwise good.



    **DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**
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