May 27, 2015
Cynthia Ruchti’s As Waters Gone By Summer of Fun $100 Giveaway
Can a marriage survive when separated by hundreds of miles and impenetrable prison walls? Find out in Cynthia Ruchti’s new book, As Waters Gone By. Emmalyn and Max Ross may have to endure the fight of their lives to mend the tattered fabric of their marriage. His actions ensured she could never be a mother and put him in prison, giving their relationship a court-mandated five-year time-out.
Cynthia is celebrating the release of As Waters Gone By by giving away a summer of fun to one lucky reader!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A $100 cash card to put toward your trip to Madeline Island (discover the beauty of the setting of As Waters Gone By) or your summer vacation destination
- A book-club set (10 copies of As Waters Gone By and a downloadable starter kit) so you can start your own summer book club
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 10th. The winner will be announced June 11th on Cynthia’s blog.
Plus, now through mid-July, sign up for Cynthia’s mailing list for a five-day virtual tour around Madeline Island for the chance to win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack. Each day begins with an email from Cynthia that introduces where you’ll be “visiting” that day (all key places from As Waters Gone By) with various interactive elements, including“I wish you were here” postcards, trivia quizzes, and an ongoing Island scavenger hunt. The person who interacts the most will win a Hemmed in Hope prize pack (valued at more than $200). That includes:
- The letterpress block Hope sign from DaySpring
- A set of 6 Hemmed in Hope notecards showing a hope-themed Bible verse
- A leather “I can’t unravel, I’m hemmed in hope” journal
- Signed copies of each of Cynthia’s books, fiction and non-fiction
May 27, 2015
The Proposal at Siesta Key
In the Proposal at Siesta Key, a young Amish woman yearning for more freedom crosses the path with a young, handsome Mennonite man. Both are led down a path of self-discovery in this novel.
About The Proposal at Siesta Key
Penny never disobeys her parents. In the years since her sister’s tragic death, her parents have only wanted to keep her safe. Even if this means never letting her leave the house.
But now she is breaking the rules in order to see Michael Knoxx in person. Michael is a famous member of the Knoxx Family Singers. He also lost his leg after a terrible accident. He uses this experience to inspire others around him. For the first time ever, Penny disobeys her parents to see him speak.
Though he speaks to living life to the fullest, Michael knows he needs to learn to take his own advice. Life on the road is gruelling and Michael wants to slow down. When a twist of fate sees him staying longer in Pinecraft, Michael knows God is showing him a new path.
But new friendships can’t stop time. Michael knows he will have a choice to make. Penny has never been happier but will she be able to follow her heart.
My Thoughts
A wonderful, wonderful novel that leaves you thinking about your own choices and living life to the fullest. Both Michael and Penny live the perfect lives from the view of an outsider, but in their hearts they are both wishing for more and to follow their own hearts. Due to circumstances beyond their control, their paths have been almost pre-determined for them even though this is not a choice they would have made.
It was lovely to see Penny break out of her shell and follow her heart. Her choices are not wild and we are able to witness her struggles as she tries to combine her parents wishes and her own. You keep holding your breath and crossing your fingers for her, that she will finally realize her dreams and break free from her current path.
Michael is a man who has known pain and with his charismatic personality, he is always trying to inspire and guide people. He is not the best at taking his own medicine though. A lesson that is hard for us all to learn.
The ending just leaves you craving for more!! A very beautiful story to treasure for years to come.
You can find more reviews on the Litfuse Blog Tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here.
Rating: 4.5/5
About the Author
Shelley Sheppard Gray is a two-time New York Times best seller, a two-time USA Today bestseller and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes and can be found on the trails with her dogs. You can connect with her online, Twitter and Facebook.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 26, 2015
Naturally Flavoured Water Plus Giveaway!
Patio time is back!
I can not wait to sit back, enjoy the warmth and relax on the patio with a cold drink in hand. One of my favourite drinks to enjoy on a hot day is naturally flavoured water. We all know water is so important for us but it can become boring having plain water over and over again.
So why not shake it up?!
My favourite way to drink my water is with lemons, limes and oranges. I try to always start my morning with a warm lemon water as it is supposed to aid with digestion. I am not too sure if that is the truth but it definitely makes me feel better starting my day with this drink.
Another great mixture is strawberries, lemon and mint. We set up a ‘hydration station’ at work and this is a common mixture we provide for staff to enjoy.
Preparing your drink is easy; just cut up your fruit, add ice, water and chill!
To celebrate summer, I am giving you the chance to enter my giveaway to kick off summer! My Canadian residents, 18 years of age and older can enter to win a $50 Shoppers Drug Mart gift card using the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!
May 26, 2015
A Big Adventure in Minuscule: Valley of the Lost Ants #Giveaway
Big time adventure is coming to theatres, on demand and DVD on May 26th in Minuscule: Valley of the Lost Ants!
After a couple leave their picnic in a hurry, a gang of hungry ants moves in to steal a most coveted treasure, a tin of sugar cubes! Before they can get away with the loot, a newly born ladybug strays from its family and becomes trapped inside the box! The ladybug is spirited away by the ants as they transport the tin to their colony. The insects embark on a journey to protect the sugar!
Minuscule is an adorable adventure that was not what I expected at all. When I first read the story line and saw the cover, I expected a fully animated adventure similar to the Antz movie. I was pleasantly surprised! Minuscule combines real landscapes with animated insects. What starts off in a forest picnic setting, changes into the tiny world of the insects. We are given a whole new view and angle of their world.
There is no dialogue in this movie but my kids still loved it. Using the landscape, cute insects and funny noises, they draw you into the adventure. There were a lot of intense adventure scenes and the lack of dialogue allowed you to focus on the scenery and battles that were occurring.
Minuscule is an epic adventure that will draw you in to the tale of this ladybug and ants.
kaboom! wants you to enter to win your very own copy of Minuscule: Valley of the Lost Ants. My Canadian residents, 18 years of age and older can enter via the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this move in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 26, 2015
A Weekend of Gardening #WW with linky
We had a gorgeous weekend (weather wise) here and I was able to get out and plant. I put in my tomatoes, zucchini, lettuce and planted my flowers.
Here is a little glimpse into our weekend:
I am so excited to watch our plants grow, it provides a great learning experience for our boys.
Make sure to link up below so that I can visit you too!
