Category: Uncategorized

May 18, 2014

Moms’ Night Out #review

As a mom (or even as parent!) we can all use a good laugh sometimes – laugh at the hilarious situations we find ourselves in and the joys of being a mother. Moms’ Night Out has all of this and more!

Moms’ Night Out by Tricia Goyer is a novelization of the hilarious family comedy that celebrates real family life – where everything can go wrong and still turn out all right.

All that Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown up evening of dinner and conversation – a much needed moms’ night out. But in order for them to enjoy adult conversation and food not served in a bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for a few hours – what could go wrong?

Chronicling one right out gone awry, three harried moms, their husbands, a sister in law with a misplaced baby, a tattoo parlor owner, a motorcycle gang and a bewildered cabbie all learn to embrace the beautiful mess called parenting. This book spotlights the unfulfilled expectations and serial self doubts many moms feels and reassures us that the key is raising kids in a loving home.

Moms’ Night Out and Other Things I miss written by Kerri Pomarolli is inspired by the true to life movie by the same name. Kerri has created this light, inspiring devotional that will definitely make you laugh but also help you discover that you are not alone and that God’s love is at work in our lives and in our loved ones.

Whether you are running full speed ahead or disappointed that it is Monday you will find joy in these devotions where Kerri shares hilarious stories and insights on daily life. Messy homes, kids, lost pets and the desire to just take a long bath. Read a devotion to brighten your morning or catch a few words to make you smile before bed.

Both of these novels were hilarious and enduring reads! I have never laughed out loud so hard at a book! Literally almost crying from laughter at some points. You could almost see all of the events happening in real life – Elmo playing non stop on your one night out – yup Frozen sound track is the only sound track played in our car! A heart warming, funny look at real life. Real life has it’s ups and downs. We make mistakes, we yell, we cry but at the end of the day we love our family with all of our heart and that is what matters. If you are in need of novels that will help you laugh and see the best in life then these two are both for you!

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse Blog Tour here (for Moms’ Night Out) and here (for Moms’ Night Out and Other Things I Miss). You can purchase a copy of the book here (for Moms’ Night Out) and here (for Moms’ Night Out and Other Things I Miss).

Rating: 5/5 +

Check out this fantastic clip from Kerri Pomarolli:

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

April 22, 2014

A Beauty So Rare: Scavenger Hunt

As you are aware I have had the privilege of working with Tamera Alexander to promote her new book, A Beauty So Rare. This week she is bringing us a fun new Pinterest scavenger hunt! Read on for an excerpt from Tamera.

From Tamera’s Blog:

Join me for a PinterestScavenger Hunt and win 1 of 7 copies of USA Today bestselling author Tamera Alexander’s newest novel, A Beauty So Rare, the second standalone novel in the Belmont Mansion series.

The questions are posted below and the giveaway runs through Sunday night, April 27. The answers to the questions can be found on Tamera’sPinterest page. Not on Pinterest? Doesn’t matter. You can still participate and find the answers by using this link.

Your answers must be submitted to TameraAlexander@ymail.com (numbered 1 – 6) by Sunday, April 27, midnight Central to be entered into a drawing to win one of seven copies of A Beauty So Rare, the second standalone novel in the Belmont Mansion series.

Questions for the Pinterest Scavenger Hunt

1. On the ABeauty So Rare board, find the pin that shares the seamstress who sewed the dress on the cover of A Beauty So Rare (featuring the heroine, Eleanor Braddock) and *click the pin* to discover what the seamstress’s most challenging part of making the pink dress was.

2. On the ALasting Impression board, find the pin where Tamera shares about the desert seasons in her life––those times that helped her write about a certain relationship in her novel, A Beauty So Rare. *Click the pin* to learn what specific relationship Tamera mentions in that blog. It’s the relationship between which two people?

3. On the My Novels board, find the pin where Tamera shares about the inspiration behind A Beauty So Rare. *Click it* and watch the video to learn the true history that ties the Belmont Mansion (the setting of A Lasting Impression and A Beauty So Rare) to the real Insane Asylum that existed in Nashville in the 19th century.

4. On the Recipes from mynovels board, what’s the recipe from A Beauty So Rare that’s posted about most often on that board (doesn’t necessarily have the most re-pins)? It’s also a favorite of Eleanor’s.

5. On the My Loves board, find the pin that references Easter weekend then *click it* to learn what kind of fish Tamera caught this past weekend.

6. On the My Novels board, find the pin for the book trailer for A Beauty So Rare, then *click it* to watch the video. What is it that Aunt Adelicia is determined to find for Eleanor?

7. BONUS: LIKE Tamera’s Facebook Page for an extra chance to win.

In your email, remember to number your answers from 1 to 6, like this:

1. Answer

2. Answer

3. Answer

4. Answer

5. Answer

6. Answer

Good luck!

Disclosure: Pinterest is not sponsoring this promotion nor are they formally affiliated with it.

April 22, 2014

A Beauty So Rare: The Seamstress and Cover Shoot

Meet the Woman Behind the Dress! – Tamera Alexander

Dear friends,

Have you ever wanted to meet the woman who sewed the dress on a novel cover? Then please allow me to introduce you to Beth Schoenherr, the ever-so-talented seamstress who sewed Eleanor Braddock’s dress for the cover of A Beauty So Rare.

I’m thrilled that Beth was willing to share about her experience in making the dress, and I love the behind-the-scenes glimpses she shares. I hope you will, too!

Tamera: Where did inspiration for the dress for A Beauty So Rare come from (both the style and color)?

Beth: The style, of course, was determined by the post–Civil War timing of the story. I believe the cover designer and editors talked about a garden setting and felt pink would look lovely against the backdrop of the green foliage and other flowers, which it does! I then had the fun of finding the right shade of pink to keep it a believable color for the time. Hot pink or neon pink, of course, would never do!

Tamera: Um, no. LOL! Not even Adelicia Acklen could have coerced Eleanor into neon pink! ; )

Tamera: Have you made dresses for photo shoots before?

Beth: I started doing period costumes for men, women, and children in amateur theater in 1999 and then had opportunities in the following years to progress to working in the costume shop of a professional theater. This is my first costume for a photo shoot, however.

Tamera: How cool, Beth. I’m so grateful for your work on this dress. Well done!

Tamera: Do you have an appreciation for period clothing? And if yes, what’s your favorite style of women’s dresses from history?

Beth: I do enjoy period clothing. I don’t think I can pick one favorite style though. I just enjoy the various and changing silhouettes and fabrics throughout the history of fashion.

Tamera: Understandable. I have many “favorites,” too!

Tamera: What’s the most challenging dress you’ve created for a cover (and what was most challenging about it)? Also, what has been your most challenging sewing project in general?

Beth: As I mentioned, this is the first dress I have made for a cover. It has been really fun and exciting to create this dress from scratch and then see it on the cover of this book. A new experience I had when making this dress was the cartridge pleats at the back of the skirt. The pattern called for the front and side pieces of the skirt to be pleated to fit into the waistband and left only a five-inch opening in the back of the waistband. Then I had to fit the 50-inch-wide piece of fabric for the back part of the skirt into that five-inch opening. I thought, “There is no way I’m going to get that much fabric into that little space.” But the cartridge pleats worked fabulously at neatly pleating 50” down to 5”.

The most challenging costume I worked on was a waistcoat designed and then cut out by someone else and given to me to sew. Not a single piece matched up in size to its coordinating piece. There was no extra fabric to work with so I had to just rework the pieces I had while making sure the finished garment would still fit the actor it was designed for. Definitely a “make it work” project!

Finally, probably the most thrilling dress I got to make was the first complete dress for a play at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. Many of my costumes prior to that had to be remakes of existing dresses or costumes due to tight budgets. But I was graciously given the opportunity to sew, from start to finish, the schoolteacher dress in Little House on the Prairie: The Musical, which premiered at the Guthrie and then went on to tour nationally. It was so exciting to see the professionally-designed dress come together step-by-step and then to see it on stage.

Tamera: Wow, Beth, I bet that was a rewarding experience with Little House on the Prairie: the Musical. Congratulations! I’ve always admired people who know how to sew, and sew well!

Thank you for sharing your talent and time with us––and with the cover of my latest novel.

~Tamera

www.TameraAlexander.com

April 15, 2014

MOM SEEKS GOD Kindle HDX Giveaway & “Moms’ May Day” Facebook Party with @JuliaLRoller

Mom Seeks God by Julia Roller offers a highly relatable story and useful advice to help new moms grow in their faith as they address life changes with grace, patience, and prayer. As readers discover ten essential faith practices, they’ll learn that motherhood itself is a spiritual discipline and can be God’s most effective technique for forming a more Christ-like life.

Julia is celebrating the book’s release with a fun giveaway and connecting with moms during a live Facebook author chat.

One winner will receive:

A Kindle HDX
Mom Seeks God by Julia Roller

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 1st. Winner will be announced at “Moms’ May Day” Facebook Party on May 1st. Connect with Julia for an encouraging discussion on spiritual discipline and finding joy in the middle of motherhood. Win prizes, connect with other moms, and be inspired.

So grab your copy of Mom Seeks God and join Julia on the evening of May 1st for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 1st!

April 15, 2014

Tracie Peterson celebrates 100 books with an iPad Mini Giveaway & A SENSIBLE ARRANGEMENT Live Webcast Event!

Welcome to the campaign launch for Tracie Peterson’s 100th book!

A Sensible Arrangement launches Tracie’s new Texas-based series, Lone Star Brides, that’s sure to please. As a special treat, devoted fans will be able to catch a glimpse of several popular characters from previous series.

Tracie is celebrating by giving away an iPad Mini and hosting a LIVE webcast event on 4/29.

One winner will receive:

An iPad Mini
A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 29th. Winner will be announced at the A Sensible Arrangement Live Webcast Event on April 29th. Connect with Tracie for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Tracie will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books, fun prizes, and gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of A Sensible Arrangement and join Tracie and friends on the evening of April 29th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!