Waiting on Wednesday | When I Fall in Love

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is ...

When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren

Tyndale House | July 1, 2014

About the Book

Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she’d vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled—or maybe yanked—away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime.

Max Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen. Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii. Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance. But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls away.

Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for. And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires. If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace’s faith will face its toughest test yet.

Why I Can't Wait to Read It

This series is absolutely amazing! I'd read pretty much any story from Susan May Warren, but I've been looking forward to Grace's. Throw in Hawaii, and I'm there!

Blogside Chat w/ Elisabeth Brown (Blog Tour + Giveaway!)

I'm excited to be participating in a fun blog tour this week to celebrate the release of Five Glass Slippers, a collection of five Cinderella-themed stories! Today, I'm hosting Elisabeth Brown, author of "What Eyes Can See", for a quick one-question interview. Be sure to stop by the other stops on the tour to get to know her even better! (And don't forget to enter the awesome tour-wide giveaway. Details are below!)

i blog 4 books: Hi, Elisabeth! Welcome to i blog 4 books! Imagine that you are celebrating something huge, monumental and it's time to throw the party of all parties ... something to rival Cinderella's ball, if you will. Tell me a little about the party you would plan.

Elisabeth Brown: Hello, Brooke! My party to end all parties would look something like this… First, we would have a chocolate milk punch bowl. Actually, we’d probably need several. Second, Ramin Karimloo and Josh Groban would be there to sing. Third, it would be decorated mainly in shades of purple, with glitter a-plenty. Fourth, there would be cats. I’m not exactly sure what function they serve yet, but they’ll be there. (There will be a cat-free zone for the allergic and the haters, which latter group includes my own sister.) Fifth, my mom will help me with the menu because she makes the best food ever. Sixth, we’ll play a bunch of games, and no one will be left out, and everyone will have fun.

About the Story

Painfully shy Arella begs her stepmother to let her stay home from the prince’s ball. But kindly Duchess Germaine is determined that her beautiful stepdaughter should be presented at court along with her own two daughters. So, dressed in a gorgeous gown and a pair of heirloom slippers, Arella catches the eye of the crown prince . . . and finds her life suddenly far more complicated than she ever desired.

About the Author

Elisabeth Brown has always loved words. The third of seven children, she enjoyed being homeschooled through her senior year of high school, and is now studying piano performance at Appalachian Bible College. When she’s ignoring the fact that she should probably be practicing more or doing Greek homework, you’ll find her sewing, baking, reading, singing along to basically any musical ever created, hiking through the woods, or laughing at incredibly silly puns.

"What Eyes Can See" is her first published story, but she also rambles at www.metaphoricalcello.wordpress.com.

About the Collection

ONE BELOVED STORY, FIVE EXCITING WRITERS. A COLLECTION TO CHERISH.

What happens when Cinderella is so painfully shy that she cannot bear the idea of attending the royal ball? Or when the slipper fits ... but on the wrong girl? What happens when Cinderella is determined to oust an imposter prince from her rightful throne? Or when she is a cendrillon miner working from a space station orbiting a cthonian planet? What happens when Cinderella, a humble housemaid, is sent with a message for a prisoner trapped in a frightening fairy circus?

Here is Cinderella as you have never met her before, wearing glass slippers and off on unforgettable adventures!

The Five Glass Slippers collection will be on sale for only $.99 in Kindle format for the duration of the blog tour (June 23-28)!

Giveaway

Here’s your chance to be Cinderella of the ball! One lucky winner will receive a paperback copy of Five Glass Slippers, several Cinderella-themed items (including a bookmark crafted by Belle on a Budget, a journal, and a DVD copy of the Disney movie), as well as special gifts handpicked by a few of the collection’s authors (a glass slipper cookie cutter with recipe, freeze-dried astronaut ice cream, and an Apple Tree Inn cup and saucer). This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

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World Watch List | Myanmar

[ World Watch List Challenge • #22 Myanmar (Burma) ]

Quick Facts on Myanmar (Burma) Rank: 22 Previous Rank: 32 Leader: President Thein Sein Government: Unitary constitutional republic Religion: Buddhism Population: 49.5 million (4.6 million Christians) Source of persecution: Religious militancy   Myanmar (Burma) Twenty-three-year-old Cho* was the only Christian in her household. She surrendered her life to Christ when Nu*, an attendee of Open Doors’ Standing Strong Through the Storm training, shared the gospel with her family. “When I was 12, Teacher Nu, who came from the Chin state, went to our house, and told my family who Jesus was and what He did. After that, I attended the Sunday school in her house church every week. Year after year, I grew to know Jesus more. Teacher Nu taught me about Jesus and the Bible.” “In my early Christian life, I was not accepted, and was not treated as a daughter,” Cho recalled. Though the gospel was shared with her parents, they remained Buddhists. “I wasn’t treated as a normal person, and I was disappointed.” Aside from her hardships at home, Cho also faces persecution in school. “My classmates didn’t accept me as a Christian at first. They didn’t want to be friends with me. I used to run to Teacher Nu’s home to ask her for prayers. As some of them have gotten to know me, they have harassed me less.” “Even though I have difficulties concerning my family and education, I praise God, and I listen to His Words, along with my teacher, who is always there to inspire and encourage me.” *Names, photographs and other information have been changed for security purposes   Share This Story Pray Christians in Myanmar (Burma) need your prayers. Post a prayer or word of encouragement. Share Be a voice for persecuted Christians in Myanmar (Burma). Share their stories and make others aware of their plight Give Help us in assisting Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Donate to help the persecuted church Your gift goes to Bible and gospel development, women and children advancement, and Christian community restoration.

Yankee in Atlanta by Jocelyn Green (Blog Tour)

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Yankee in Atlanta
by
Jocelyn Green
Available June 2014 from River North
Christian Fiction / Historical   416 pages
About the Book

When soldier Caitlin McKae woke up in Atlanta after being wounded in battle, the Georgian doctor who treated her believed Caitlin's only secret was that she had been fighting for the Confederacy disguised as a man. In order to avoid arrest or worse, Caitlin hides her true identity and makes a new life for herself in Atlanta. Trained as a teacher, she accepts a job as a governess to the daughter of Noah Becker, a German immigrant lawyer, who is about to enlist with the Rebel army. Then in the spring of 1864, Sherman's troops edge closer to Atlanta. Caitlin tries to escape north with the girl, but is arrested on charges of being a spy. Will honor dictate that Caitlin follow the rules, or love demand that she break them?

Buy a copy  |  Read an excerpt  |  Find out what others think

My Thoughts
Unfortunately, I haven't finished this book yet, but I'll be sure to share my thoughts as soon as I do!

About the Author

Jocelyn Green is a child of God, wife and mom living in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She is also an award-winning journalist, author, editor and blogger. Though she has written nonfiction on a variety of topics, her name is most widely recognized for her ministry to military wives: Faith Deployed. Her passion for the military family was fueled by her own experience as a military wife, and by the dozens of interviews she has conducted with members of the military for her articles and books, Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives and its sequel, Faith Deployed...Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives. She is also co-author of both Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan and Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front (forthcoming, May 2012). Her Faith Deployed Web site and Facebook page continue to provide ongoing support, encouragement and resources for military wives worldwide.

Waiting on Wednesday | Firewall

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is ...

Firewall by DiAnn Mills

Tyndale House | July 1, 2014

About the Book

After a whirlwind romance, Taryn Young is preparing to board a plane at Houston International Airport, bound for a dream honeymoon, when a bomb decimates the terminal. Injured but still alive, she awakens to discover her husband is missing and they’re both considered prime suspects in the attack. Further, the FBI is convinced her husband isn’t who he appears to be.

Agent Grayson Hall’s number-one priority is to catch those responsible for the day’s act of terror. All evidence is pointing to Taryn and her new husband. But his instinct tells him her pleas of innocence are genuine. Is her naiveté just for show, or could she truly be another victim of a master scheme, possibly linked to the software she recently developed for her company?

With both their lives and reputations on the line, and the media outcry for justice increasing with each passing minute, Taryn and Grayson have no choice but to trust one another . . . and pray they can uncover the truth before they become two more casualties.

Why I Can't Wait to Read It

I love romantic suspense, and DiAnn Mills is one of the best! I'm looking forward to a new FBI series from her!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?!

"It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey where we share what we're reading and our goals for the week.

What I Read Last Week ...

What I'm Reading Now ...

Audio

What I Hope to Read This Week ...

That's what I'm hoping to read this week. What are you reading?

World Watch List | Egypt

[ World Watch List Challenge • #22 Egypt ]

Egypt Twelve-year-old Yusuf looked around helplessly at his classmates, gathered around him a few months ago at his school in Minya, which is located in Upper Egypt. The other boys taunted and harassed him, mocking the Christian boy for believing what they called his “corrupt” Bible. Finally, he fled the school grounds, sobbing and crying. By the time he got home, he felt so humiliated and defeated that he tore up his Bible in angry frustration. Egypt’s Christians of all ages often face such attacks on the fundamentals of their faith. They are confronted with hostile lies about their Christian beliefs in the media. Repeatedly, they are forced to listen to attacks publicly broadcasted from the loud speakers of mosque minarets, deliberately generating doubts about Christian theology throughout the country. Walking down the streets or riding public transportation, Christians are frequently hit by recorded Quran tapes or speeches by famous Islamic preachers mocking issues of Christian faith: “The Bible is not the Word of God”, they argue. “Jesus was not crucified, and God can’t be a trinity”. Children like Yusuf have their share in this suffering, whether in school from their playmates or even from their neighbors, who keep ridiculing Christian convictions without permitting them to answer back or defend their beliefs. 'I Know and Am Not Afraid' is an apologetics program establish in 2012 to help Christians know how to answer the most common accusations and false claims they face every day about their Christian faith. Designed to expand country-wide, the project aims to equip a younger generation that is facing daily pressure to stand up for its faith. The program includes material related to surviving hardship, as well as an awareness course related to civil rights. Pray that this initiative will impact the lives of young Christians like Yusuf, so they will be able to stand strong in the face of persecution. *Names, photographs and other information have been changed for security purposes   Share This Story Quick Facts on Egypt Rank: 22 Previous Rank: 25 Leader: President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Government: Republic Religion: Islam Population: 86.8 million (10 million Christians) Source of persecution: Islamic extremism Pray Christians in Egypt need your prayers. Post a prayer or word of encouragement. Share Be a voice for persecuted Christians in Egypt. Share their stories and make others aware of their plight Give Help us in assisting Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Donate to help the persecuted church Your gift goes to Bible and gospel development, women and children advancement, and Christian community restoration.