Celebrating 25 Years of Christy Miller

I can still remember my excitement when I opened a present from my grandparents one Christmas only to discover the Christy Miller BOXED SET! I believe I was in the 7th grade that year, and this was the one gift on my wish list that I wanted more than anything. The books had been featured in Brio magazine several months prior, and it sounded like something I would enjoy. I circled the set on the order form that month and gave it to my mom ... and did the same thing for the next several months until Christmas. (Very subtle, huh?)

I immediately set out to read the entire series. I remember reading them on the school bus to and from school, reading them in the gym before school each morning (I even lost the seventh book in the series in the bleachers in the gym ... I'm still a little devastated about that one.), and every night before bed. I loved them. (Y'all ... I was the biggest nerd bookworm!)

Christy was a girl I could relate to. She was a "good girl"—though not perfect—who was learning what it meant to follow Jesus. In many ways, our journeys through those angst-filled teenage years was similar. She wanted boys to like her, struggled in her friendships with girls, argued with her parents, picked on her brother. She had friends who got into some major trouble and worried about how to help them. She was tempted to sin and made bad choices. But overall, her love for the Lord and her desire to follow Jesus shone through the entire series. 

My friends and I passed the books back and forth (except for #7, which had to be borrowed from the library) and talked about Christy as though she was a close friend. We shared "God things" that were happening in our lives and all around us. In a lot of ways, sharing the books cemented our friendship, which could have easily gone by the wayside as we were scattered across four different middle schools. Even as we got older, made it through high school, and parted ways for college, Christy Miller would come up from time to time.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the first Christy Miller book being published! While it makes me feel a little old to realize how long ago middle school was (not quite 25 years ago!), I've been thinking back on some fond memories centered around these books. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Robin Jones Gunn for writing this series that meant so much to me and my friends during such a crazy time in life!!! While Christy was a fictitious character, this series assured us that other girls were going through the same things that we were going through and gave us hope that things would eventually turn around.

Robin is hosting a celebration giveaway on her website to celebrate this momentous occasion. Download an mp3 of the first book in the series. Plus, TEN $25 gift cards are up for grabs so be sure to check out the details here!

Have any of you read the Christy Miller series? Did you love them as much as I did? What do you remember most about Christy and/or the series?

Interview with Sandra Byrd, Author of the French Twist series

I'm ending Sandra Byrd Week at i blog 4 books with a Blogside Chat. (It's been a while since I've done one, hasn't it?!) These aren't your usual questions ... I figured you could find those answers elsewhere (like on Sandra's website!).

Don't forget about the giveaway that Sandra is hosting this week. TODAY is the last day to enter.

AND ... you can still download Let Them Eat Cake FREE and Bon Appetit and Piece de Resistance for only $.99 each! TODAY is the last day for these promotional prices. You'll kick yourself later if you miss out on this fun series ... promise. :) (You can read my review for Let Them Eat Cake here.)

---

i blog 4 books: Welcome, Sandra! Since Lexi in Let Them Eat Cake is just out of college and trying to find her way in the world, it made me wonder what your first "adult" job was.

Sandra Byrd: I worked at a deli and at a catering company when I was a teenager; I learned quite a bit about cooking and baking at both places. I still love baking - you can tell by these books right? After college I worked at a publishing house as an editor, and within a few years I transitioned from editor to writer.

ib4b: I can tell by the books in this series that you must love baking! What were some of your favorite books as a child?

SB: I read everything imaginable, but one stand-out is the Little House on the Prairie series. When I received my first royalty check I went to Powell’s bookstore in Portland, OR and purchased the hard cover copies with dust jackets, first editions illustrated by Garth Williams, of the Little House books. They have a prominent place in my home library.

As a teenager I discovered the historical romance pleasures of Eleanor Hibbert, who wrote under many pen names, including Jean Plaidy and Victoria Holt. I call her my gateway drug to historical books, and tip my hat to her many talents!

ib4b: I loved the Little House books too! If you could go anywhere in the world on your next vacation, where would you go?

SB: England, hands down. I’ve traveled all across my own beloved nation and many other beautiful and engaging places throughout the world but England never fails to thrill or offer new discoveries.

ib4b: I've been to Europe once and would love to go just about anywhere there. London is at the top of my list. Write your memoir in six words or less.

SB: Loved, Lost, Saved, Married, Birthed, Wrote!

ib4b: Can you tell us a bit about what you're working on now?

SB: My next traditionally published series will be Gothic Romance set in Victorian England, and the first book will be out next year.  I can't wait! It is fun to write a more romantic thread, and while I love Tudor England I will say that Victorian England has just as many reading charms.

ib4b: Ooh ... sounds great! Can't wait to check them out! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by for a Blogside Chat, Sandra!

Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd

Let Them Eat Cake
by Sandra Byrd
French Twist series, Book 1
Christian Fiction / Contemporary / Romance
320 pages
Buy a copy here (FREE on Feb 10-14)
Details about Sandra's Giveaway here

---

About the Book
Lexi Stuart is at a critical crossroads. She’s done with college but still living at home, ready to launch a career but unable to find a job, and solidly stalled between boyfriends.

When a lighthearted conversation in French with the manager of her favorite bakery turns into a job offer, Lexi accepts. But the actual glamour is minimal: the pay is less than generous, her co-workers are skeptical, her bank account remains vertically-challenged, and her parents are perpetually disappointed. Her only comfort comes from the flirtatious baker she has her eye–but even may not be who he seems to be!

So when a handsome young executive dashes into the bakery to pick up his high profile company’s special order for an important meeting–an order Lexi has flubbed– she loses her compulsion to please. “What am I going to do?” he shouts. “Let them eat cake!” she fires back with equal passion and a nod to Marie Antoinette. And then, something inside Lexi clicks. Laissez la révolution commencer! Let the revolution begin! Instead of trying to fulfill everyone else’s expectations for her life, Lexi embarks on an adventure in trusting God with her future–très bon!

My Thoughts
Comedy, baking, romance, and all things French … Let Them Eat Cake has it all and more! I was surprised at how easily this romantic comedy took me back to the time in my life when I was just out of college, living at home with the parentals, and struggling in my first job. At times I felt like perhaps Sandra Byrd had spied on me during that time! The emotions were spot-on!

Lexi is so easy to like, and I found myself pulling for her to figure things out. I even felt sorry for her a time or two because her family seemed to have it all together and she just struggled so much. The book wasn't as much of a romance as I anticipated, but I'm thinking the next two in the series may be more romantic. And, I was surprised by one twist the author threw in there … very sneaky, Sandra!

Let Them Eat Cake is perfect if you're looking for a light-hearted story to launch you out of the winter blues. I can't wait to read the next two books in the French Twist series!! [4 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my fair and honest review.

About the Author
After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling author Sandra Byrd has now published more than forty books. Her adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, was a Christy Award finalist, as was her first historical novel, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. To Die For was also named by Library Journal as a Best Books Pick for 2011 and The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr, was named a Library Journal Best Books Pick for 2012. Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I, will publish in April, 2013.

Sandra has also published dozens of books for tweens and teens.

A former textbook acquisitions editor, Sandra has also published many nonfiction articles and books. She is also passionate about helping new writers develop their talent and their work toward traditional or self publication. As such, she has mentored and coached hundreds of new writers and continues to coach dozens to success each year.

Sandra Byrd Online

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Special Promotion & a "Sweet" Giveaway from Author Sandra Byrd!

Today officially kicks off Sandra Byrd Week at i blog 4 books. :) And what a fun week we have planned! To get things started, I want to let you know about a couple of great deals and a giveaway that Sandra is hosting this week!

Promotion for Sandra Byrd's French Twist Series
In celebration of the release of the French Twist series for Kindle, all three books are being offered at super-low prices on February 10-14. Let Them Eat Cake (Book 1) is FREE this week. Bon Appetit (Book 2) and Piece de Resistance (Book 3) are available for only 99 cents each! Consider this a little Valentine's Day gift from Sandra to you!

Let Them Eat Cake (Book 1)
Buy a copy here (FREE on Feb 10-14)

Lexi Stuart is at a critical crossroads. She’s done with college but still living at home, ready to launch a career but unable to find a job, and solidly stalled between boyfriends.

When a lighthearted conversation in French with the manager of her favorite bakery turns into a job offer, Lexi accepts. But the actual glamour is minimal: the pay is less than generous, her co-workers are skeptical, her bank account remains vertically-challenged, and her parents are perpetually disappointed. Her only comfort comes from the flirtatious baker she has her eye–but even may not be who he seems to be!

So when a handsome young executive dashes into the bakery to pick up his high profile company’s special order for an important meeting–an order Lexi has flubbed– she loses her compulsion to please. “What am I going to do?” he shouts. “Let them eat cake!” she fires back with equal passion and a nod to Marie Antoinette. And then, something inside Lexi clicks. Laissez la révolution commencer! Let the revolution begin! Instead of trying to fulfill everyone else’s expectations for her life, Lexi embarks on an adventure in trusting God with her future–très bon!

Bon Appetit (Book 2)

Buy a copy here
Lexi Stuart is risking it all. Saying au revoir to the security of home, her job, and could-be boyfriend Dan, Lexi embarks on a culinary adventure in France to fulfill her life dream of becoming a pastry chef.

As she settles into her new home in the village of Presque le Chateau to study and work in a local bakery, her twenty-something optimism meets resistance in the seemingly crusty nature of the people and culture around her. Determined to gain her footing, she finds a church, meets a new friend, and makes the acquaintance of a child named Celine–as well as Celine’s attractive, widowed father, Philippe. Even Patricia, the gruff pastry cook, shows a softer side as she mentors Lexi in the art of baking.

As Lexi lives her dream, the only thing she has to do is choose from the array in life’s patisserie display window: her familiar home, friends, and family in Seattle or her new life in France. Lexi discovers that as she leans more on God the choices become a little clearer– and making them, well, c’est la vie!

Piece de Resistance (Book 3)

Buy a copy here
Having earned her chef’s hat, Lexi Stuart bids au revoir to her glamorous and deliciously satisfying pastry mentorship outside of Paris and returns to her hometown of Seattle, Washington. There, she finds life unexpectedly complicated.

She’s put in charge of a high-end catering bakery called Bijoux, which should be her dream job, but there’s a catch: She has to make this lavish bakery into a successful business in just a few, short months, which will require more than her ability to make an amazing wedding cake. In over her head and at a loss for creative marketing ideas, Lexi isn’t sure what the recipe for success needs to be.

Stir in a complicated relationship with her French beau Philippe and his daughter, Celine, then add a dash of romance with down-to-earth lawyer Dan, and life suddenly contains more ooh la la than Lexi can handle.

With the fate of her career and her love life hanging by a thread, the phrase “piece of cake” has never been more daunting. Lexi learns that she must trust the dreams in her heart and the God who put them there.

A "Sweet" Giveaway
Sandra is also giving away one box of Divine Delights petits fours on her website! Each time you post about the promo or share it with friends via social media, you have the chance for extra entries into the contest! GO HERE to enter. Contest will close at midnight on February 15. Sorry, the giveaway is open to US residents only.

Later This Week
Be sure to stop by on TUESDAY to read my review of Let Them Eat Cake and on THURSDAY for a fun interview with Sandra.

Send a FREE Card from Treat!

Treat is the new greeting card brand from Shutterfly that makes it super easy to send unique, personalized cards for any occasion.

To help you get one thing checked off you ever-growing to-do list, they're having a special holiday promotion today and tomorrow to allow you to send one card absolutely FREE! Send a birthday card, Thanksgiving greeting, or get a head-start on your Christmas cards. Use the code TREATBLOGR at checkout, and the discount will automatically be applied. (Feel free to share this post with your friends to spread the freebie love!)

Head on over to Treat now to select, personalize, and send your card today!

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored Shutterfly. All opinions expressed are my own.

FREE Webcast w/ David Platt & Francis Chan

I'm excited to let you know about a new initiative led by David Platt and Francis Chan called MULTIPLY.

The purpose of Multiply is "to awaken churches and all followers of Christ to the priority of disciple-making in the church’s mission. We seek to make disciples, who make disciples, who make disciples…" Multiply was created to come alongside local churches by emphasizing the glorious and much-neglected call given to all followers of Christ to make disciples.

Multiply from Multiply on Vimeo.

This November 9 & 10, there will be two Multiply Gatherings to kick off this new initiative. David and Francis will be sharing their heart for disciple-making and challenging individuals, small groups, and churches to take the command to make disciples to heart. The content will be the same each night but may have a different "feel" due to the different location. Because this is a FREE webcast, you can participate from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection!

Friday, November 9, 2012 | 7-10pm CST
David Platt & Francis Chan
Webcast from Birmingham, AL at The Church at Brook Hills

Saturday, November 10, 2012 | 6-9pm PST
David Platt & Francis Chan
Webcast from San Francisco, CA at the SF City Impact Mission 

Hubs and I will be watching on Friday and Saturday night. We'd love for you to tune in from your home, office, school, church, or wherever! You can register online at MultiplyMovement.com/Gathering.

For more information about Multiply, visit the website or the blog.

Excited to share this new book with you!

I'm so excited to share with you that my friend Chad Gibbs just released his second book yesterday! I LOVED his first one—God & Football—and am confident that Love Thy Rival will be just as good.

Chad has the unique ability to write about serious topics—in this case, loving your enemies—with practical examples—in this case, sports rivalries—and tons of humor. I mean, who else can make the copyright page funny?!

(Side note . . . surely you know by now that I wouldn't recommend a book to you only because the author is a friend. Right?!)

Anyway. I haven't had the chance to read it yet, but I bought mine last night and it's in the mail now! The ebook is only $4.99 (Nook, Kindle, iBook), or you can buy a paperback copy wherever books are sold. (Or buy an autographed copy on Chad's website!) Plus, share about the book on Facebook or Twitter, and Chad will send you a free chapter. Come on . . . he's making it easy for you to give it a shot!

You'll be hearing more about this book from me in the next few weeks. In the meantime, though, here's the blurb . . . 

In his first book, the best-selling God & Football: Faith and Fanaticism in the SEC, humorist Chad Gibbs explored his own struggles to balance faith in God with passion for pigskin.  Now Gibbs is back asking how Christian fans can love their enemies, when we can’t even love rival fans.

From the cross-country culture war of Lakers vs Celtics, to the cross-state hate-fest of Alabama vs Auburn, Gibbs spent one year attending the most intense rivalry games in sports (Yankees vs Red Sox, Duke vs Carolina, and many more), observing the darker side of fan culture, and pondering the problems rivalry games present to the Christian fan.

The result… Love Thy Rival, an enlightening, laugh-a-minute look at what sports’ greatest rivalries teach us about one of Jesus’ most difficult commands: Love your enemies. 

Freebies, Winners, & Giveaways

This is a bit of a hodge-podge, but there's a lot going on!

Congratulations to ALANNA, the winner of the Redeemed giveaway! I hope you love the mirror as much as I do!

No one entered the Amazon gift card giveaway (sad news!), so unfortunately there are no winners. Bidding will stay open on the Riddles' auction until 9:00 pm CST on Saturday. Please, please check out their auction and bid on something if you're so inclined.

Katie at Legacy of a Writer is hosting a giveaway for a new book from Bethany House: Submerged by Dani Petrey. Sounds like an incredible story. I can't wait to read it!

Christian Book Review Blog is giving away a copy of A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island by Cara Putman.

AND . . . a couple of freebies I wanted to let you know about.

I've read a few books by Kristen Heitzmann and have LOVED every one! Looking forward to reading Freefall* . . . as soon as I can squeeze it in!

I hosted Yvonne Lehman for my blogaversary last month. Her newest book Hearts That Survive* is free right now!










* Books mentioned are free at the time of this posting wherever e-books are sold. Double check the price before purchasing!

Friday Freebies

Better late than never right? There are some great freebies right now . . . enjoy!

Paper Roses by Amanda Cabot

Code Triage by Candace Calvert (through April 21)

When Night Falls by Margaret Daley

To Love Anew by Bonnie Leon

Saving Hope by Margaret Daley

A Lady of High Regard by Tracie Peterson

Promise Me This by Cathy Gohlke (April 15-28)

* Books are linked to reviews if I've reviewed them on this site.

The books listed are currently free in e-book format on Amazon, CBD, Barnes & Noble, or anywhere e-books are sold. Not sure how long these deals will last (unless noted), so hurry and take advantage—but check the price first!

Friday Freebies

Because I love all things To Kill a Mockingbird, I thought I'd let you know that The Mockingbird Parables by Matt Litton is a free e-book right now. I haven't read it yet, but it's worth a shot. :)

Friday Freebies

It's Friday. Even after a short work week, I am so ready for this weekend! Anyway. Quite a few of the books that I posted about last week are still available as free downloads, but there are three more that I wanted to be sure to share.

Directed Verdict

by Randy Singer

If you like legal thrillers (think John Grisham), I'm pretty sure that you'll like Randy Singer's books. Complicated plots, complex characters, these are books that will make you think. Check out my reviews of False Witness and Fatal Convictions if you want to know more.

Organized Simplicity

by Tsh Oxenreider

Consider this a helpful tool for some of those New Year's Resoultions you've made. While I've not read either of Tsh's books, I love reading her posts over at (in)courage. I downloaded this the other night and have already found a few tips that I'll be trying out as we try to get our house a bit more organized.

Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride

by Sandra D. Bricker

I'm posting a review for this one soon, I promise! But it's light-hearted, funny, and filled with wedding planning helps. I'm about to pick up the next book in the series—if that gives you any indication of what I thought.

That's all for now. Have a wonderful Friday! Oh . . . and go grab some free books!

The e-books mentioned in this post were free at the time of posting and are free for a limited time. They can be downloaded at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD, and wherever e-books are sold.

Friday Freebies

Hope you guys have had a great week! Just a few freebies for you today . . .

From Ashes to Honor

by Loree Lough

Read my review here.

The Pastor's Wife

by Jennifer AlLee

Medical Error

by Richard Mabry

Read my review of Lethal Remedy, book 4 in this series.

The Call of Zulina

by Kay Marshall Strom

Shrouded Silence

by Robert L. Wise

The Lady of Bolton Hill

by Elizabeth Camden

Read my review here.

These ebooks are free at the time of posting. 
You can find them at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBook.com, or anywhere ebooks are sold.

A Treat for You on Tuesday

Okay. Remember how not that long ago I told you about my favorite books of 2011?

And how one of those books was The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden?
(You can read my review here.)

And then remember how I said that one of the books I was most looking forward to in 2012 was The Rose of Winslow Street, also by Elizabeth Camden?

Well, today is your lucky day!

Because The Lady of Bolton Hill is a FREE download at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, CBD, and wherever else you buy your e-books.

And then you can rush right out and go buy The Rose of Winslow Street since it released last week!

I mean, I know I had nothing to do with this fun news, but I'm just so excited I couldn't help but share!

Friday's Freebies [Tons O' Fiction!]

In the event that you (1) received an e-reader for Christmas, (2) are looking for some new books to read, (3) want to try out a new author before buying every novel they've ever written, or (4) download anything because it's free, I have great news for you. There are a ton of free ebooks out there right now. Some of these are repeats, but I thought I'd post them again in case you missed them when I posted them previously.

My two cents? Dee Henderson writes some INCREDIBLE romantic suspense. Check this one out for free and then immediately start in on the O'Malley series. You won't be sad you did. I've also enjoyed recent releases by Lisa Wingate, Delia Parr, and Ginny Aiken and am looking forward to try out Lynette Eason for the first time.

The Witness 

by Dee Henderson

Left Behind 

by Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins

Talk of the Town

by Lisa Wingate

Jenna's Cowboy

by Sharon Gillenwater

The Centurion's Wife

by Davis Bunn & Janette Oke

Too Close to Home 

by Lynette Eason

The Pawn

by Steven James

Ruby

by Lauraine Snelling

To Love Anew 

by Bonnie Leon

11:15: The Making of a Halfling 

by Heather Burch

A Hearth in Candlewood

by Delia Parr

Priced to Move

by Ginny Aiken

Child of the Mist

by Kathleen Morgan

Love Me If You Must

by Nicole Young

These ebooks are free at the time of posting. You can find them at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBook.com, or anywhere ebooks are sold.

A Christmas Carol [A New Family Tradition]

I have a confession. Brace yourself.

I've never read Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Yes, you read that correctly. Somehow, I graduated from high school . . . from AP English, no less . . . without reading this wonderful classic. (Ironically, my British lit teacher hated Dickens, so we watched the Mickey Mouse version of the movie instead. We even took a test on it.) So, while I'm quite familiar with the story, I've never read the original version.

I recently had the opportunity to review the audio book from christianaudio. (I suppose, technically, I've still never READ the book. Close enough?) The original is even better than the Mickey Mouse version! Ha!

As much as I like to read, I always sell myself short on reading "true literature" . . . especially books that were written pre-20th century. Listening to the audio version was a wonderful re-introduction to Dickens! It was incredibly easy to follow along, and the story came alive. It was magical.

The narrator impressed me with all of the voices that he did. In scenes when multiple characters were conversing, it was easy to follow along due to the unique voices that he gave each character. His British accent made me feel as though Dickens himself could be narrating the story.

Listening to this book together would be a wonderful family tradition! Both young and old will love this story! AND in the month of December, A Christmas Carol is FREE on christianaudio! Don't miss out on this moving story!

I received a free copy of this audio book from christianaudio in exchange for my fair and honest review.

---

About the Book

A Christmas Carol is a novella by English author Charles Dickens first published by Chapman and Hall and first released on 19 December 1843. The story tells of sour and stingy Ebenezer Scrooge's ideological, ethical, and emotional transformation after the supernatural visitations of Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Yet to Come. The novella met with instant success and critical acclaim.

The book was written and published at a time when Britain was experiencing a nostalgic interest in its forgotten Christmas traditions, and at the time when new customs such as the Christmas tree and greeting cards were being introduced. Dickens' sources for the tale appear to be many and varied but are principally the humiliating experiences of his childhood, his sympathy for the poor, and the Christmas stories of Washington Irving.

The tale was pirated immediately, was adapted several times to the stage, and has been credited with restoring the holiday to one of merriment and festivity in Britain and America after a period of sobriety and somberness. A Christmas Carol remains popular, has never been out of print, and has been adapted to film, opera, and other media.

Today Only!

No time to paste in pictures of the book because its only free TODAY!

The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh

This one is also available today . . . not sure how long it will be available.

One Imperfect Christmas by Myra Johnson

Make sure you get in on these great deals!

Free on Amazon, ChristianBook.com, Barnes & Noble, and anywhere ebooks are sold!

Friday's Freebies

Whew . . . it's been a while since I had a bundle of freebies to post about. I suppose publishers are feeling extra-generous right now because there are quite a few freebies out there! 

Freebies are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBook.com, and anywhere e-books are sold.

 The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow 

by Joyce Magnin

 Child of the Mist 

by Kathleen Morgan

 Eye of the God 

by Ariel Allison

The Fence My Father Built 

by Linda S. Clare

 A Hearth in Candlewood 

by Delia Parr

Lie Down in Green Pastures 

by Debbie Viguie

Priced to Move 

by Ginny Aiken