Christian Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2010 - Feb Update

I have now read 16 out of the 24 books planned for this challenge!

In January these were the books I read:

• The Confidential Life of Euginia Cooper by Kathleen Y'Barbo
• Pieces of Silver by Maureen Lang
• Remember Me by Maureen Lang
• New Mexico by Janet Lee Barton
• The Tapestry by MaryAnn Minatra
• The Masterpiece by MaryAnn Minatra
• The Heirloom by MaryAnn Minatra
• Texas Brides by Cathy Marie Hake

Added to that list for February are:

• Battles of Destiny Vol. 3 by Al Lacy
• Battles of Destiny Vol. 4 by Al Lacy
• A Place Called Home by Lori Wick
• A Song For Silas by Lori Wick
• The Long Road Home by Lori Wick
• A Gathering of Memories by Lori Wick
• Gingham Bride by Jillian Hart
• Look to the East by Maureen Lang

2010 Reading Challenge - week 8

Ok, so I'm a little late with this post, but I have been quite busy, and not near my computer for the past few days. I was attending a Children's Ministry training conference on Friday and Saturday. 2 very full days, but worth it.

One of the speakers was Wess Stafford, the author of 'Too Small To Ignore', one of the books I finished reading this week. I highly recommend this book, especially for people in or thinking about being involved in children's ministry, and for parents.

In total I finished reading 4 books for this challenge this past week.

• Too Small To Ignore by Wess Stafford


• Menu For Romance by Kaye Dacus


• Controlling Interest by Elizabeth White


• Without a Trace by Colleen Coble

I'm currently reading:

• More Precious Than Silver by Joni Eareckson Tada


• Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado


• Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight by Karen Scalf Linamen


• Embrace Grace by Liz Curtis Higgs


• Love Awakens the Heart by Lori Wick (this is vol. 1 in her Californians series)

When Something Grabs You

No, not literally, but mentally.

It's something you've heard before, but this time there is new meaning to it.

That happened to me last week when I was watching 'The Lake House' (again).

You know the scene where Alex is visiting his Dad, Simon, in hospital and they start dicussing a design that someone has given Simon to review?

Well, they start talking about how an architect must harness the light to best advantage. Then Simon says, "He must be captivated by the light. Always the light."

That's the line that grabbed my attention.

As a Christian, and from reading my Bible, I know that God is the Light. For us, life is worthless unless we are captivated by the Light (God). We must seek Him; learn about Him and from Him.

If you take it back to the architecture point of veiw, they were talking about how light has an effect on the building. We are called the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19), and as such the Light has an effect on us. Those around us see the results of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and through us should also see the Light.

Just a thought ...

2010 Reading Challenge - week 7

7 books this week! Now that makes a dent in my target. That takes me to 31 out of 160. And for those who like percentages, that puts me at 19%!

So this week I finished:

• A Place Called Home by Lori Wick
• A Song for Silas by Lori Wick
• The Long Road Home by Lori Wick
• A Gathering of Memories by Lori Wick
• Don't Tell Cute Stories - Change Lives! by Mark Griffiths
• Gingham Bride by Jillian Hart
• Look to the East by Maureen Lang

And I'm reading:

• More Precious Than Silver by Joni Eareckson Tada
• Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado
• Too Small to Ignore by Wess Stafford
• Menu for Romance by Kaye Dacus

I've also got a few Interior design books that I'm reading, but they don't count in this challenge.

Teaser Tuesdays - February 16

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

An older book that I've read many times, but a good one.

'A Gathering of Memories' by Lori Wick

'Everything was strangely familiar and Mandy felt like her heart would burst as she looked at yet another pine box, this one holding her father.'

All Of Me

2010 Reading Challenge - week 6

A slower reading week this week, but then I've had other things to do - like celebrate a birthday, and start teaching a friend to sew.

The 4 books I finished this week are:

• Battles of Destiny vol. 3 by Al Lacy (this was 2 books)
• Battles of Destiny vol. 4 by Al Lacy (this was 2 books)
• Jocelyn's Journey by Caroline Fraser
• Never the Bride by Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutteridge

I'm currently reading:

• More Precious Than Silver by Joni Eareckson Tada
• Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado
• Don't Tell Cute Stories - Change Lives! by Mark Griffiths
• A Place Called Home by Lori Wick

Friday Fill-In #163

And...here we go!

1. Pickles are something I pull out of my burger.
2. Everyone is currently at home.
3. The snow is somewhere I would like to go one day (going when you're 3 months old just doesn't count).
4. I see God in nature.
5. It's 5:16 PM; that means it's no longer 5:15 PM.
6. A godly man is hard to find.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing at home, tomorrow my plans include a trip to Bendigo and Sunday, I want to have our first GNG breaky meeting of the year, fellowship at church and recover from Saturday!

Christian Historical Fiction Reading Challenge - Update 1

I thought I should let you know my progress on this challenge so far.

I'm a third of the way through and only one month has passed!

I could finish this in 3 months instead of 12!

So here's what I've read on this one so far (keep in mind they also count in my 2010 Reading Challenge):

• The Confidential Life of Euginia Cooper by Kathleen Y'Barbo
• Pieces of Silver by Maureen Lang
• Remember Me by Maureen Lang
• New Mexico by Janet Lee Barton
• The Tapestry by MaryAnn Minatra
• The Masterpiece by MaryAnn Minatra
• The Heirloom by MaryAnn Minatra
• Texas Brides by Cathy Marie Hake

2010 Reading Challenge - week 5

I've done really well this week - 6 books!

One of those was really 3 in one, but I'll just count it as 1.

So here we are:

• The Heirloom by MaryAnn Minatra
• The Marriage Wish by Dee Henderson
• God's Gift by Dee Henderson
• Texas Brides by Cathy Marie Hake (3 books - To Love Mercy, To Walk Humbly, To Do Justice)
• Under the Cajun Moon by Mindy Starns Clark
• The Hero Next Door by Irene Hannon

And I'm reading:

• More Precious Than Silver by Joni Eareckson Tada
• Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado
• Don't Tell Cute Stories - Change Lives! by Mark Griffiths
• Battles of Destiny Vol 3 (book 1 - Joy From Ashes) by Al Lacy

So that takes me up to a total of 20!

140 to go! And according to Shelfari, I'm on target to do it!

Friday Fill-In #162

1. I know a little about a lot of things.
2. Sometimes January can be the longest month, when I'm wondering what I will be getting for my birthday.
3. You can't help but smile when you see a little child doing something cute.
4. Birthday cake; bring it on!
5. Where have you looked and was it a girl look or a boy look?
6. Beth is now available for dates, but I want to know you a bit first.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Facebook (I know, I'm addicted), tomorrow my plans include the sewing I didn't get done last weekend or this week and Sunday, I want to have a great GNG breaky meeting, fellowship at church and something with friends in the afternoon!

Teaser Tuesdays - February 2

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

'Under the Cajun Moon' by Mindy Starns Clark

'"Ms. Ledet, may we see your hands please?"

Startled, I opened my eyes to find myself back in the hotel room. Detective Walters and another woman were standing in front of me expectantly. Kevin was dead, I reminded myself, and though I knew there was still more of last night for me to remember, the two people standing here and staring at me were obviously waiting for something.

"Excuse me?" I asked, blinking.

"Your hands. May we see your hands?"

I held my hands out in front of me. As I did, I noticed for the first time since waking up in this strange place that my perfectly manicured fingernails were dirty.'

Ok, so I just had to give you this much. I just bought this book today and started reading it on the train on the way home. I've just got to this page and can't wait for more! Mindy's books are always great, and it's special for me because I get mentioned on the acknowledgements page, because I'm a member of Mindy's online CONSENSUS group.

PS. - Wednesday 3rd February - I was up late last night reading this and couldn't stay awake any longer, so the first thing I did this morning was finish this book. I would recommend starting it in the morning when you have a whole day to read it, because you won't want to put it down!