Bout of Books 5.0 Mini Challenges

Being new to this whole read-a-thon thing, I wasn't really sure what I was getting into. I had no intention of joining in any of the mini-challenges, but I gave it a shot yesterday (Monday) and it ended up being a ton of fun. So . . . no promises on participating in every challenge, but this is where I'll be playing along. Feel free to join in if you like!

MONDAY

Literary BFF hosted by Auggie Talk: Everyone has that one character. The character that they know they could relate to, get along with, have fun with, and laugh with. A literary BFF! Tell us who your literary BFF is and why they're your always friend. What do you guys do together? What do you talk about? Get creative and let us know who your Literary Best Friend is!

 Well, this isn't something I've ever thought about before, but I think Jo from Little Women could be my BFF. She's feisty, independent, passionate, imaginative . . . I see myself in her. And we'd have a great time together! (She made her sisters do all those plays. My brother got roped into all sorts of performances!)


Passing Books hosted by Reading in Texas and The Space Between: Tell us what happens to your books after you have read them.

Because I bring so MANY books into my house, I'm not able to keep very many of them. Typically, I use them as prizes for giveaways, pass them along to my grandmother and her friens (or other friends), or donate them. (Does this make me the worst book blogger ever?!)

TUESDAY

Limericks hosted by Curiosity Killed the Bookworm: For today's challenge, I'd like you to write me a bookish or bloggish limerick.

Ooh . . . I used to love writing limericks in school. Hmmm . . . I wonder what that says about me?!

there once was a girl named Brooke
who always had her nose in a book
she read night and day
until she ran away
to hide out in her own book nook! 

Relocate! hosted by The Grammarian's Reviews: Use your current read. Now relocate the characters! How does this change the story?

Wow . . . so you're going to make me think, huh?! I'm reading A Texan's Honor by Shelley Gray right now. It's currently set a few years after the Civil War on a train out west. The portion I've been reading has been all about a robbery and hostage situation on a train.

I would relocate the characters to a present day time in a village in Africa. I could imagine the hostages being taken captive by village warlords. It would definitely increase the intensity. It could also be interesting learning about a different culture. For some reason, I think the main character would be a missionary in this village.

WEDNESDAY

Book Word Search hosted by The Musings of ALMYBNENR: Today on The Musings of ALMYBNENR, I have a Book Word Search for you. I created a word search with twenty words, including my blog name and the Bout of Books name…you know, in case you need a reminder of what this is for. ;) The other eighteen words are the titles of all my absolute favorite reads so far this year.

This was a fun challenge. It took a little while to finish, but I'm glad I took a break to do it. :)

Match the Zombie Book Cover hosted by The Busy Bibliophile: Look at the numbered book covers and select the book name that matches each cover.

Ha! This was hilarious. I've never read anything about zombies and I turned out to be a horrible guesser, but it was funny so I suppose that's all that counts, huh?

THURSDAY

A Book for Every Season hosted by Reading in Winter: Name the perfect book for each season of the year! The book can either have the name of the season in the title, or — and this is the preferred way! — the book can take place in that specific season.

Summer - Love Finds You in Mackinac Island by Melanie Dobson

Fall - Through Rushing Water by Catherine Richmond

Winter - A Texan's Honor by Shelley Gray

Spring - Hope Springs by Kim Cash Tate

Candy Challenge hosted by Book Smartie: I'd like you to share either what's your favorite snack while reading - do you snack at all? Or do you - like me - sometimes try to eat (or drink) exactly what the characters in the story are having?

I've not really thought about it before, but I don't really eat that much while I'm reading—other than the back of cereal boxes and such. :) BUT, I did eat a popsicle while I was eating tonight. Weird, huh?

Contemporary Challenge hosted by Books with Cass: Choose your favorite contemporary of 2012 (thus far). Choose your favorite contemporary cover of 2012 (thus far). Explain your biggest *surprise* contemporary book of this year. (Surprise contemporary means: the book you may have not expected to love, but did.)

 Favorites: My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade & Wish You Were Here by Beth K Vogt

Cover: The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter

Surprise: Cottage by the Sea by Robin Jones Gunn (I knew I would like it, but I didn't know I was going to love it!)

FRIDAY

Most Looking Forward To hosted by Pages of Forbidden Love: 1. What book are you most looking forward to based on summary alone? Feel free to show off the summary! 2. What book are you most looking forward to based on cover art alone? Feel free to show off the beautiful cover art!

Based on summary alone? That would probably be Short-Straw Bride by Karen Whitmeyer. Good thing it's in my TBR stack!

No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?

Based on cover alone? A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund. Of course, I love Jody's novels, but this cover is just so different from a lot of the historical fiction out there right now. Plus, the dark sky, the motion of the tie, and the cute guy. Love it!

Starring Me by Krista McGee

Starring Me
by Krista McGee
Christian Fiction / YA / Romance
Available July 2012
Thomas Nelson
336 pages

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About the Book
Kara McKormick is told she’s auditioning to star in a new teen variety show. It’s what she isn’t told that could change her life.

The feisty New Yorker moves to sunny Orlando to participate in a month-long audition, where she’ll live with nine other contestants and an eccentric housemother. Kara knows that the show already has a big-time celebrity lined up for the co-host, but she doesn’t know who it is.

Chad Beacon quickly rose to fame after winning America’s Next Star, but he doesn’t want his entire career to be about singing. There is so much more he wants to do—like act. The new variety show sounds like the perfect next step for him, but his parents want him to have a co-star who shares his faith since they’ll be spending so much time together.

Acting is high on Kara’s priority list. But a relationship with God? Not so much. But God is after Kara’s heart and He’s put people in her life who are showing her there’s far more to Christianity than rules and judgment.

And just when it seems that Kara’s going to have to give up her acting dream, God reveals that she may have a starring role after all—in a story so big only He could write it.

My Thoughts
After reading First Date and Starring Me, I am a huge fan of Krista McGee! In Starring Me, we follow Kara's story as she has the opportunity to audition to be the co-host of a new teen show. She's determined to get the role, but must beat out nine other contestants for the part. Living with the other girls presents a variety of challenges, but Kara leans on her friendship with Addy and wisdom from the house mother. When a family crisis interrupts the auditions, Kara is sure she will have to sacrifice her dream. Only God can work out the details, but will Kara trust Him to?

What a wonderful book! The story is fun and the characters are realistic (despite their fame) and the kind of people you would want to be friends with. One of the things I loved most about Starring Me was how McGee was so intentional about including the gospel throughout the book without compromising the story or creating super-cheesy characters and dialogue.

There was one instance where Kara was asking Addy questions about God and I thought the entire conversation was just brilliant! Teenagers who read this novel will be able to see that it can be easy and natural to talk about God with your friends. I also appreciated how the author handled the "romance" aspect of the book—and particularly dealt with a Christian and non-Christian being interested in one another.

Readers who enjoy sweet romance and fun stories will surely love Starring Me, and I have no reservations (at all!) about recommending this to younger readers.

I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via Net Galley in exchange for my fair and honest review.

About the Author
Krista McGee writes for teens, teaches teens, and, more often than not, acts like a teen. Along with her husband and three kids, Krista has lived and ministered in Texas, Costa Rica, and Spain.

Krista McGee Online

Website & Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

7 Giveaways + Teaser Tuesday | Coming Home

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly post hosted by MizB on her blog Should Be Reading. Hop over for details or to link up!

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Deep within her she felt it, actually felt it. A strength that didn't come from herself, one that only could've been the Lord with her. No other way she was standing here in this moment. (p. 147)

Coming Home
by Karen Kingsbury

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The Book Club Network's month of giveaways is still going on. Ten copies of each of these books will be given away and today is the last day to enter!

Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz
Food Family Style: Simple & Tasty Recipes for Everyday Life by Leigh Oliver Vickery
Still Life in Shadows by Alice J. Wisler
Her Good Name by Ruth Axtell
Cuts Like a Knife by M.K. Gilroy
Cowgirl Trail by Susan Page Davis
Temptation by Travis Thrasher

The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck

The Scent of Rain
by Kristin Billerbeck
Christian Fiction / Contemporary / Romance
Available August 7, 2012
Thomas Nelson
320 pages

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About the Book
Could it be that the life Daphne's always wanted is right under her nose?

Daphne Sweeten left Paris—and a job she loved—to marry the man of her dreams in the U.S. But when he stands her up on their wedding day, she's left reeling and senseless. Literally. She's been trained as a perfume creator and now her sense of smell has disappeared along with her fiancé.

She has to figure out why her nose isn't working, fix it, and get back to Paris. Meanwhile, she'll rely on her chemistry skills and just hope her new boss at Gibraltar Products, Jesse, doesn't notice her failing senses. They'll be working together on household fragrances, not posh perfumes. How hard can it be?

As Daphne and Jesse work on a signature scent for their new line, she feels God at work as never before. And the promise of what's possible is as fresh as the scent of rain.

My Thoughts
I'm a huge fan of Kristin Billerbeck. (Can anyone read the Ashley Stockingdale series and not be a fan?!) So, of course, I was excited about The Scent of Rain! Daphne, a professional "nose," leaves the job of a lifetime in Paris so she can marry the man of her dreams. Only things don't turn out as expected when he leaves her at the altar with no explanation, she takes a less-than-ideal job in Ohio, her new house is falling down around her, and her sense of smell deserts her.

The Scent of Rain was a quick, fun read—perfect for a lazy summer day. It was different than most of the other books I've read by Billerbeck . . . not quite as funny and a bit more serious. However, the same elements of quirky characters, fun romances, good friends, and sometimes-bizarre circumstances are present and made for an enjoyable read.

The relationship between Daphne and Jesse seemed a bit off at times. They instantly seemed to have a romantic relationship (despite Jesse struggling with the death of his wife and Daphne having just been jilted), and then the book wrapped up so quickly that it seemed forced. Perhaps stretching the story out more or adding another 20 pages would have helped the flow. I was also a little confused by some of the conversations and actions with her mentor in Paris.

The secondary characters were a real treat. I loved Daphne's best friend and her co-workers added a lot of "character" to the story. I also liked how each of them were used to move Daphne along in her relationship with God and help her grow up a bit. While this wasn't quite the novel I expected, I did thoroughly enjoy it. [4 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson's Book Sneeze program in exchange for my fair and honest review.

About the Author
Kristin Billerbeck is the bestselling, award-winning author of several novels, including What a Girl Wants. A Christy Award finalist and two-time winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award, Billerbeck has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times. She lives with her family in northern California.

Kristin Billerbeck Online

Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Let the Olympics Change the Way You Pray

If you're anything like my in-real-life friends, the Olympics have taken over every aspect of your life—social media, family dinners, the news, television, conversations with strangers. I don’t remember the “buzz” surrounding the Olympics being this intense in years past.

A couple of weeks ago, Hubs and I sat down to watch the Opening Ceremony. Admittedly, I wasn’t that impressed with most of it, but my feelings changed as soon as the Parade of Nations started. I’ve always thought the parade was boring in the past. Maybe because it seems to take forever? But this year I thought it was terrific!

Burkina Faso

We watched each group of athletes representing their country pass by. Initially our conversation was filled with comments such as,

• “What awesome outfits!”
• “The people from [fill in the blank country] are so pretty!”
• “Did you know that [fill in the blank country] was a country?!”
• “Man, I thought I was better at geography than this!” (On a side note, Coach George from 9th grade World History totally failed me!)
• “Ha, ha! Look how hilarious those guys/girls are hamming it up for the camera!”

Mexico

But the longer we watched, I felt God begin stirring in my heart. Rather than just hearing random facts about countries or athletes, I was reminded that each person crossing the TV screen wasn't merely an athlete. They each have their own stories. They have families, friends, heartaches, failures, hopes, dreams. Many of them face extraordinary obstacles on a daily basis. The come from the wealthiest and the poorest countries in the world.

Cuba

Each of these people was created in the image of God—the ones that look like me and the ones that don't. And they represent millions of others like them. Some come from countries where persecution of Christians happens daily. Some come from places where they have never had the opportunity to hear the gospel, where the Bible isn't available in their own language.

North Korea

As these thoughts floated across my mind and heart, I began to pray. For those who have never heard the truth of the gospel and for those who have heard it thousands of times and rejected it. For Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, agnostics, animists, and all those in between. For hundreds and thousands of opportunities for the Good News to be shared in the context of the Olympics. For people to be saved. And for the salvation of a few impact men, women, and children when they return home—wherever home is.

The Netherlands

I am part of an incredible church that incorporates "missions" into everything we do, and I have learned so much about the world over the past few years. But when I saw all of these very different people in one place, I felt like I got a small glimpse of what heaven will be like.

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

Revelation 5:13

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 

Revelation 7:9-10

Senegal

Over the past two weeks, I've tried to remember to pray for the athletes I see on TV and for the countries they represent. My heart has been broken after reading an article about how North Korean athletes are treated and filled with hope after seeing Saudi Arabian women march in the Parade of Nations for the first time.

Saudi Arabia

As the Olympics conclude tonight, I don't want to forget how I felt when seeing those men and women march across the TV. I don't want to forget what the Lord has taught me over the past few weeks. Rather than just boosting our national pride and patriotism, let's let the Olympics change the way we pray for the world.

Sweden

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

1 Timothy 2:1-6

Reading Copy Cleanup - Update #2

I feel like I've made great progress this week on the Review Copy Cleanup.

I finished three more review books: Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble, The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck, and Starring Me by Krista McGee. And I'm hoping to finish Dying to Read by Lorena McCourtney sometime today. That will bring my grand total to six books!

I'm participating in the Bout of Books 5.0 Read-A-Thon this coming week, so hopefully I'll be able to finish several more books!

Bout of Books Readathon 5.0

Well, after seeing three posts about the Bout of Books Read-A-Thon next week, I decided to take the plunge and join them. I've not participated in a read-a-thon before, but this seems to be as good of a time as any.

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal.  It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 13th and runs through Sunday, August 19th in whatever time zone you are in.  Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week.  There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional.  For all Bout of Books 5.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books 5.0 team

Time Devoted to Reading

I will be reading as much as possible throughout the week.

My Goals

I'm hoping to read 1500 pages, which is more than I normally read, but not unattainable (I hope!) and to read at least half of Total Home Makeover (since it takes me longer to read non-fiction!)

Books to Read

Coming Home by Karen Kingsbury (304 pages)

Firestorm by Lisa Tawn Bergren (352 pages)

A Texan's Honor by Shelley Gray (320 pages)

With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin (432 pages)

Total Home Makeover by Renee Metzler (224 pages - half would be 112 pages)

That's a grand total of 1520 pages. Seems like a lot when I lay it all out!

Updates

I'll be updating this post each day and tweeting throughout the week (@iblog4books) with the hash tag #boutofbooks

My posts for the mini-challenges will be here.

Mini-Challenges
Literary BFF hosted by Auggie Talk: Well, this isn't something I've ever thought about before, but I think Jo from Little Women could be my BFF. She's feisty, independent, passionate, imaginative . . . I see myself in her. And we'd have a great time together! (She made her sisters do all those plays. My brother got roped into all sorts of performances!)


Passing Books hosted by Reading in Texas and The Space Between: Because I bring so MANY books into my house, I'm not able to keep very many of them. Typically, I use them as prizes for giveaways, pass them along to my grandmother and her friens (or other friends), or donate them. (Does this make me the worst book blogger ever?!)