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Tuesday 31 December 2013

Contentment Reading Challenge 2013 - Final Update



It is now time for the final post of this challenge!
The total number you've all been waiting for!

But first, these are the books I read in December.

  • Christmas in the Country by Christine Lynxwiler and Jeanie Smith Cash
  • On the Anvil by Max Lucado
  • Marcia Schuyler by Grace Livingston Hill
  • Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson
  • The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson
  • The Christmas Pony by Melody Carlson
  • Patchwork Holiday by Wanda E Brunstetter, DiAnn Mills, Renee De Marco and Colleen L Reece
  • A Victorian Christmas Quilt by Catherine Palmer, Peggy Stoks, Debra White Smith and Ginny Aiken
  • Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K Paul
  • Moments of Peace for the Evening (Anonymous)
  • Listen by Rene Gutteridge
  • A Gown of Spanish Lace by Janette Oke
So that was 12 for the month!!

Which takes me to ... drum roll please ...

84 for the year!!!

Now for one last thing ...

I also did this challenge in 2011 (only 48 books that time), and I was curious to know if there were any books that I read for both challenges. In fact, there were 10!
  • Marcia Schuyler by Grace Livingston Hill
  • A Gown of Spanish Lace by Janette Oke
  • Every Storm by Lori Wick
  • Sophie's Heart by Lori Wick
  • Never the Bride by Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutteridge
  • Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K Paul
  • Yuletide in Ireland and Wales by Ginny Aiken and Tamela Hancock Murray
  • English Carols and Scottish Bagpipes by Pamela Griffin and Jill Stengl
  • True Devotion by Dee Henderson
  • True Valor by Dee Henderson
While I won't be doing a challenge in 2014, there are sure to be some books that I read again - probably even from the books I've read during these challenges!

Happy reading and have a safe and Happy New Year!

Nothing Is Wasted

Monday 2 December 2013

ACRBA Tour - A New Resolution by Rose Dee


2 - 6 December 2013


is Introducing 

( Even Before Publishers Oct 2012)

By Rose Dee


About the Book:
Resolution Island is a safe haven for Anika Demeur - a chance to fulfil dreams, find her place in the world, and a new life for her and young son, Kye. But her dreams of a future are shattered when her son's security is challenged, and the rich and privileged Texan, Nate Hollingsworth sails into the bay. Now Ani must not only fight for her son, but also a growing attraction she has to the one type of man she loathes.

Nate is on a mission - to fulfill his mother's last wish, and change his life. Dropping anchor in the idyllic Resolution harbor, he didn't anticipate becoming involved in illegal fishing, a murder, or an unexpected attraction to the most exasperating woman he has ever met.

The Australian tropical Island, Resolution, sets the scene again for adventures, dreams, and new beginnings. A New Resolution is the final book in the 'Resolution' trilogy, following Back to Resolution and Beyond Resolution.


About the Author:
Rose Dee was born in Ingham, North Queensland, Australia. Her childhood experiences growing up in a small beach community would later provide inspiration for her first novel. Rose, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, decided to try her hand at writing two years ago. The result of that attempt is her first novel, Back to Resolution. Her novels are inspired by the love of her coastal home and desire to produce exciting and contemporary stories of faith for women. Rose's other releases include Beyond Resolution - the second book in the 'Resolution' series. And A New Resolution  the final book in the series. Rose has also co-written a novel in conjunction with three other outstanding Australian Authors: The Greenfield Legacy. Rose resides in Mackay, North Queensland with her husband, young son, and mischievous pup, Noodle.

Giveaway:
For all ACRBA members who post the will get an entry into this giveaway. All who leave a comment on any blogs will get an entry into the giveaway. The more blogs you comment on the more entries. This giveaway is open to Australian readers. To enter you need to answer a question about what part of North Queensland you would like to see or leave a comment with a question for Rose. Comments saying sounds interesting enter me will not be equate to an entry. Also leave a way to contact you if you win for example myemail at mymail dot com. entries open til Thursday 12 Dec.

FIRST PRIZE:
E-Reader (Details below) AND: an e-reader version of each one of my 4 novels – the 3 ‘Resolution’ series novels, and The Greenfield Legacy (gifted via email).


cid:image002.jpg@01CE353F.4523D0F0


E-Reader:
Reader™ with 6.0" paper-like touch screen (Red)
Model:
PRST2RC
This slim and light Reader with touch screen puts thousands of your favourite stories at your fingertips. Effortlessly turn the page with a swipe of your finger and the glare-free screen reads just like a real book, even under direct sunlight.
         6" E-Ink® Pearl is designed to feel like a real book with a glare-free paper-like screen for reading
         Battery life of up to 2 months with wireless off and up to 1.5 months with wireless on. Up to 30,000 continuous page turns when reading only
         Let your friends and family know what you are reading and share excerpts up to 140 characters with Facebook® built into the Reader™
         Store posts, articles, and text-based webpages all in your Reader™ with Evernote’s integrated services
         Access public library eBooks and PDF files through the integrated OverDrive® service
         eBook purchases will need to be completed via computer

SECOND PRIZE:
A copy of ‘The Greenfield Legacy’, and a Silver and Amber Grapevine inspired pendant. Really pretty, and ties in nicely with TGL as it is set on a vineyard in the McLaren Vale region. Also the cover is pendant inspired.




THIRD PRIZE:
A personalised sign copy of each books in my ‘Resolution’ Series. 3 hard copy books in total. 



My Thoughts:

I think this was better than the second book, but I like the first one best. It is nice to find out what happens to the characters from the first one.
This books looks a bit at family dynamics and how the actions of others in your family affect your life. It's also about breaking the bondage that can come from generations of people making bad choices.

Contentment Reading Challenge 2013 - November update



November has just flown by, and yes, I do have a bunch more books to add to my list!

  • Australian Outback by Mary Hawkins
  • Aloha by Colleen Coble, Carol Cox, Denise Hunter and Gail Sattler
  • On Assignment by Marilyn Kok
  • Embrace Grace by Liz Curtis Higgs
  • My Life as a Doormat by Rene Gutteridge
  • The Substitute Guest by Grace Livingston Hill
  • The Christmas Bride by Grace Livingston Hill
  • Yuletide in Ireland and Wales by Ginny Aiken and Tamela Hancock Murray
  • English Carols and Scottish Bagpipes by Pamela Griffin and Jill Stengl
  • That Christmas Feeling by Catherine Palmer and Gail Gaymer Martin
  • Mountains, Memories and Mistletoe by Janet Lee Barton and Kathleen Y'Barbo
Well, it really is a bunch!! I hadn't actually counted them until I made this list. And most of them actually have more than one novella in them, so if you added them all up ...

Anyway, the official count for the month is 11!!
And for the year, that makes 72!!

One more post and this challenge will be over!

Monday 18 November 2013

ACRBA Tour - Can God See Me? by Penny Reeve



18 - 22 November



is introducing

Wombat Books Oct 2013

By 

Penny Reeve




About the Book
I read in the Bible, so it must be true, God can see everything that I do. But what might this look like? And how far does God's care reach? Join the wild, hilarious and certainly crazy ride of a young boy who dares to imagine the incredible scope of God's love and care.





About the Author
Penny Reeve grew up as the child of missionary parents in a variety of cross cultural settings. She then went to university, got married and served for several years herself in PNG and Nepal.

She now lives with her family in Western Sydney and is the author of 11 children’s books including the very popular Find the Animal series for young children and the social-justice themed Tania Abbey novels.

Website: http://www.pennyreeve.com/

My Thoughts:
What a fun book!
I read it to the children in creche recently and they loved it!
It prompted a discussion about when God can see them. I said that He could even see them in bed. One of the boys said "Not when I have the covers over my head!" Such a great teaching moment!!

Monday 4 November 2013

ACRBA Tour - Faith in the Great Southland by Mary Hawkins



4 - 8 November

Introducing

(Barbour Books October 1, 2012)

By 

Mary Hawkins




About the Book
Elizabeth Waverly never dreamed that taking a convict transport back to her home in Australia would change her life. But from the moment she lays eyes on John Martin, she cannot resist her growing attraction to him. She knows the man faces a life sentence for murder, but her heart refuses to believe he is guilty of the charges against him. How could someone who so valiantly protects others and accepts another prisoner's punishment be a brutal felon? Yet once the transport ship lands in Australia, their paths are bound to head in very different directions. Is their love destined to become a bittersweet memory of what might have been, or will faith show them another way?


About the Author
Mary is a multi-published Australian romance author with 19 titles. After being published by Harlequin Mills and Boon medicals, Heartsong Presents and Barbour, her most recent single title Bargagula series is published by Ark House Press in Sydney. I am a member of the Society Women Writers Tasmania, Romance Writers of Australia, Omega Writers, Australian Christian Writers Fellowship, American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers America and their Faith Hope Love chapter. My Heartsong Presents back list titles are being released by Truly Yours Digital Editions. Faith in the Great Southland is now available with the other 3 in this series to be released June and July. She is available to speak and share what she has  learnt about writing novels, her writing journey and faith in our incredible God. For more about Mary, go to her website.


My Thoughts:
This is a good book. I first read it years ago, so it was nice to re-read it for this tour.
Australian history of this time is very interesting, and this is one of the best books I've read about it.
Make sure you get your hands on the other 3 books in the series, as there are a few things left hanging at the end of this book!


Sunday 3 November 2013

Contentment Reading Challenge - October Update



My diving continued during October, and found me reading some of my absolute favourites!

  • Safer Than a Known Way by Mavis Areta Winder
  • Emerald Windows by Terri Blackstock
  • What the Cat Dragged In by Gilbert Morris
  • The Cat's Pajamas by Gilbert Morris
  • When the Cat's Away by Gilbert Morris
  • Sisterchicks on the Loose by Robin Jones Gunn
  • Sisterchicks do the Hula by Robin Jones Gunn
So it was a 7 book dive, making a total of 61 for the year!
If at all possible I recommend getting the audio book of Sisterchicks to the Hula! Robin reads it and you just want to jump on a plane and head to Hawaii!!

Thursday 31 October 2013

FIRST Wild Card Tours - Ten Million Reasons by Heather Gray


It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!



Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:

Astraea Press (July 25, 2013)



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Aside from her long-standing love affair with coffee, Heather’s greatest joys in life are her relationship with her Savior, her family, and writing. Years ago, she decided it would be better to laugh than yell. Heather carries that theme over into her writing where she strives to create characters that experience both the highs and lows of life and, through it all, find a way to love God, embrace each day, and laugh out loud right along with her.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Money talks, and the way she spends hers tells him all he needs to know…
Richard needs to find a woman he can trust, and he needs to find her fast. He doesn’t have time to waste on getting to know people, which means dating and interviewing are out of the question. So how can he get past that initial mask of good behavior to learn what people are really like? Easy! Give them ten million dollars and watch to see what they do with it.
Genevieve is a free-lance journalist who talks to herself, constantly forgets to put appointments on her calendar and can’t go anywhere without being asked to take a survey. Why on earth is Richard interested in her? She doesn’t know it yet, but he has ten million reasons…


Product Details:
List Price: $1.99
Ebook: 123 pages
Publisher: Astraea Press (July 25, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: B00E5TLMV8


AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Chapter One



How do I always let myself get sucked into these things? Genevieve Mason sat at her own little private booth in a large room with at least a dozen other people. The clock on the wall ticked loudly, reminding her this was not where she was supposed to be. For some reason she’d never understood, Genevieve had difficulty saying no to surveyors. She invariably felt sorry for the ones who had to stand out in the walkway of the mall trying to entice complete strangers into their offices to take the silly things. While she didn’t generally mind completing a survey, she simply didn't have the time today. Yet, here I am. Taking a survey. When will I ever get a backbone about these things?

A tall, model-thin woman, with straight blonde hair and professionally done eyebrows, clapped her hands twice. “Alright ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming in today. I am going to explain what you need to do, and then I will answer any questions you have. The project should only take about an hour of your time, and you will each be compensated with a twenty-five dollar mall gift card. You can use your gift card at any retailer, including the food court.” The woman, who would doubtless look less severe if her eyebrows weren’t quite so brutally perfect, paused briefly before launching into what sounded like a well-rehearsed speech by a drill sergeant.

I wonder what she pays to get her eyebrows done. Surveying must be more lucrative than I thought.

“Today you will receive a windfall.” People gasped in surprise, but Genevieve wasn’t biting. She’d been through too many of these to get pulled in with a line like that. “You will be given a hypothetical amount of ten million dollars,” the woman continued, speaking over the disappointed sighs of some of Genevieve’s comrades-in-arms, “to spend any way you wish.”

Tapping her foot loudly, the woman who Genevieve had begun to think of as Model-Talker stared around the room until everyone was quiet. Then, continuing her speech, she said, “There is a computer screen in front of you with two columns. In the left column, you will give a description of how you are spending your money. On the right of the screen, you will enter the amount you wish to spend. You will see a tally at the bottom. The tally is keeping track of how much you have spent. When you get to ten million dollars, stop and raise your hand. I, or one of my assistants, will submit your entry and see that you receive your gift card.”

Arms raised all around the room as people began to have questions. Model-Talker held up her hand to halt people’s inquiries and added, “Let me give you a couple of guidelines first. Then I will answer your questions. Your survey will be assigned a coded number. When you are done, you will complete a form with your name and contact information in case we have questions at a later date. Your name will never appear on your survey. The information you enter will not be shared with any other companies and will only be reviewed by one other individual in addition to myself.”

Genevieve wondered how efficiently their survey data could be processed if only two people would see it. Reining her wandering thoughts in, she listened to the rest of Model-Talker’s speech. Talk faster! Some of us need to get somewhere.

“The items you wish to spend your money on have to be items you can purchase in a single day. You cannot spend any of your pretend money on buying a house, for example, because the paperwork and closing for a house take several days. While you can invest money in the stock market or a CD, you cannot open a trust fund because the legalities of opening a trust generally take more than a single day.” Three quarters of the hands in the room went down.

“Any questions?” Model-Talker’s chilly, businesslike voice and expression shamed the remaining people into putting their hands down.

For crying out loud, lady! It’s not as if you’re going to get the plague by answering a question. Genevieve stifled her laughter. She didn’t want to cause Model-Talker’s gaze to zero in on her.

“Alright, everyone. You have one hour to complete the exercise. Begin.”

Genevieve began typing away on her keyboard, entering totals, as she thought about all the ways she could spend the money. Ten million dollars... She wasn't ever likely to have that kind of money, but it was sort of fun to think about.

Within five minutes, a short woman, muscular and dressed like a construction worker, raised her hand to indicate she was done. Genevieve wouldn’t have noticed except that Model-Talker tsked as the woman left the room. Once some of the other people saw how quickly it could be done, they began finishing hastily, too.

They're probably dumping it all into a savings account or the stock market. Why wasn't I born with that kind of cavalier attitude?

She, however, wanted to give careful thought to her expenditures. In order for the results to have any value, she needed to answer honestly. Although, at the rate the other people are leaving, I'd say the data compiled from today will be good and skewed.

Despite her best efforts to ignore it, the repeated ker-thunk of the door opening and closing demanded her attention. They obviously haven't heard the honesty-in-testing lecture enough times. As she watched the next couple of people leave the room, something struck her.

They’re all women. There’s not a single man in this room. Maybe it’s a study into the female psyche. She was sure she’d heard Model-Talker say “ladies and gentlemen.”

Thinking about the lunch date waiting for her, Genevieve swiftly typed in her remaining entries and watched the tally at the bottom of the screen climb. When she got to nine million five hundred thousand dollars she sighed. Who’d have thought I’d have so much trouble spending money? What can I lavish half a million dollars on? Finally struck with inspiration, she entered her final imaginary expenditure and raised her hand. She completed the paperwork and left the room, casting one last pitying glance at the three remaining women who continued to studiously peck at their keyboards.



****



Genevieve sprinted the last twenty yards or so to the food court hoping her date hadn’t left. She clipped a stranger in the side with her shoulder, yelled an, “I’m sorry!” over her shoulder, and continued on her path. Zipping around the corner, she found herself confronted with an overcrowded food court, people spilling over everywhere she looked. How am I supposed to find him?

“Aunt Gen, over here!” Genevieve turned her head this way and that until she saw her nephew waving his hands wildly over his head in a far back corner of the food court.

Relief coursed through her. Thank goodness! She'd been worried he would think she’d stood him up. Poor guy had enough trouble in his life. He didn’t need another reason to be disappointed in those he loved.

“I’m late, aren’t I?” she asked, the sound of her words shaped by her winded voice.

Max laughed at her. “Aunt Gen, you’re always late.”

“Will you ever forgive me?”

“Buy me lunch, and I’ll think about it,” her fifteen-year-old nephew said with a twinkle in his golden brown eyes.

Sliding two twenties across the table to her nephew, Genevieve said, “You know what I like. Get whatever you want. You deserve it for braving the masses to order.” As her nephew jumped over the handrail behind their table and began maneuvering his way in and out of the different lines, Genevieve sat back and closed her eyes.

Thank you for keeping Max here until I arrived. It was a small but heartfelt prayer.

She opened her eyes, looked around at the crowd and caught a glimpse of herself in the large mirror along the back wall of the food court. Why do they insist on using mirrors to make it look like there's more seating – and more people – than there actually is? She didn't care to spy on other people while they ate and instead studied her own reflection. Genevieve scrutinized her large green eyes and fair complexion. She had curly hair that her family insisted on calling red even though she always wrote auburn whenever she had to enter the color on a form. It was shoulder-length but tended to stand out away from her head rather than lying down gracefully. I certainly don't need any of that shampoo advertised to add body! In a family of Irish-Italian descent, she was the only one that actually looked Irish. Everyone else had been born with the requisite bronzed skin and black hair of their Italian heritage.

She sought out Max in the mirror. He stood in line waiting for the slow progression of customers to move him forward so he could place his order. Max looked more like her father, his grandfather, with each passing year. He's too handsome for his own good. It won't be long before he realizes how much the girls notice him. Max spent much of his time seeking approval from his family; enough in fact, that he hadn't yet detected the way the fairer sex was always trying to get his attention. If he has seen it, he certainly hasn't let on about it.

Genevieve’s sister had divorced three years ago. Max had been twelve at the time, his sister Jenny fourteen. Jenny had fared better in the divorce. She saw her dad a couple times each month, and he doted on her, buying her all the pretty things she wanted. That was his way of making up for his absence, and she was okay with that. Sadly, Max had been much more wounded. He hadn’t wanted the latest toys and gadgets. Instead, he had wanted time, and his dad hadn't been willing — or perhaps able – to supply it. At an age when he was growing from boy to man, he'd essentially lost the one person who was supposed to be most qualified to help him understand what it meant to be a man.

Maureen, Genevieve’s sister, had done her best, but the divorce had forced her to change jobs in order to support her kids. Instead of working part-time and being home in the afternoons, she now worked fifty or more hours each week and hardly saw her kids at all. Genevieve had always been close to her nieces and nephews, but after the divorce, she went out of her way to try to spend time with Jenny and Max. She and Max did lunch at the mall every other week. She and Jenny got mani-pedis together. It seemed like the least she could do. It sure beats spending good money to get my eyebrows tortured when I can do that at home free of charge!

“You know, Aunt Gen, you’ve never once been on time to lunch.” Max was still laughing at her as he set the food down.

Snagging one of his egg rolls and putting it on her own plate, she said, “What makes you say such a mean thing to your dear old auntie?”

“You were worried I’d think you’d blown me off. I could see it on your face when you came round the corner.”

Genevieve shrugged. “Okay, so I was worried. Sue me.”

“You’ve never stood me up. Until you do, I’ll always believe you’re coming.”

Warmth moved through her middle, but it had an icy edge to it. Genevieve was both touched by Max’s words and saddened that he’d had enough experience with his parents in the past few years to know what it felt like to be stood up. His dad wasn’t the only one who hadn’t always been there for his son. There had been more than one sporting event in recent years where she'd been Max’s entire cheering squad. She always saved a seat for her sister, but the seat was rarely ever filled. Max deserved better, but as Maureen often pointed out to her, Genevieve didn’t know how hard it was to be a single mom working to support two teenagers.

Max and Genevieve ate lunch, swapped funny stories from their week, and discussed schedules for the upcoming month. He had decided to try out for the cross-country team.

“I don’t stand a chance, but I want to try.”

“Why? Running is so boring.”

“You run.”

“Yeah, but only because it’s slightly less monotonous than sitting at the computer when I have writer’s block.”

“The practices are long, and they’re in the afternoons when Mom’s usually working, so this will give me something to do. I get bored killing time at home so much. It’s dull there now that Jenny got a job and is gone all the time.”

“How does she like her job?” Genevieve asked, with interest.

“I don’t know about the job, but she sure does like the money,” Max answered, waggling his eyebrows comically.

Ah, to be a teenager with the simple worries of acne medication and a pretty dress. Then Genevieve corrected herself. And divorce. Don’t forget that simple worry.

“So why were you late today?” Max asked.

“You’d never believe me if I told you,” she answered.

“Try me.”

Rolling her eyes, Genevieve answered, “I got sucked into another survey.”

Max almost spit chow mein at her as he laughed. “You have got to be kidding me! Can you even walk through the mall without taking a survey?”

Trying not to laugh, Genevieve crumbled a napkin to throw at her nephew. “I got a gift card out of this one.” Then, slapping the palm of her hand against her forehead, she said, “I should have used it to pay for lunch! What was I thinking?”

“You can use it next time.”

“Do you honestly think I’m going to remember that?” Her voice was filled with dry humor.

“No worries,” he said. “I’ll remind you.”

“What would I do without you, Max?”

“You’d be lost without me, Aunt Gen, and you know it.”

The two cleared their table, and then Genevieve linked her arm through Max’s as they began weaving their way through the crowd to head toward the front of the mall. “You know, Max, I think you might be right. I would be lost. Who else would know to buy himself an extra eggroll just so I could snag it?”

When they got to her car, Genevieve entered Max’s cross-country tryout into her phone’s calendar and told him, “I can’t promise, but I’ll do my best to be there.”

“It’s okay if you can’t make it.” His voice was rock solid. “I know it’s in the middle of the day.” Max, whose every emotion generally came out in the way he spoke, only sounded this steady when he was trying to mask something.

He doesn't want me to know he's disappointed.

“No, it’s not that,” Genevieve said. “You know how bad I am with dates. I need to double-check my desk calendar at home and make sure I don’t have something written down there that I forgot to put in my phone.” Staring at the device in her hand as if the calendar in it would magically give her an answer, she finally shook her head and said to Max. “I’ll text you the morning of to let you know for sure one way or the other, okay?”

Max nodded and said again, “No worries,” as he climbed into her car.

It was a beautiful day in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They drove with their windows down and, since Max was in control of the radio, their music blaring.

Genevieve dropped him off at home. Jenny was still at work, so she didn’t pop in to say “hi”. Instead, she headed back to her own home to try and get some work done.

She was bumping up against deadlines for articles with three different magazines. That’ll teach me to stay up all night reading a book! Releasing a deep sigh, Genevieve admitted to herself that she’d been putting off the articles because they’d all sounded so boring. I have got to start getting pickier about the assignments I accept. What’s the point of freelancing if I can’t stand any of the work I do? I'm not sure this even counts as freelancing anymore.

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Thing I Loved as a Child ...

and Still Love Now!!

Colouring pictures



















Reading





Collecting these cute little guys!















Doing craft projects - particularly cross stitch!








Saturday 26 October 2013

Christmas Wish List



So there you have it! My Wish List for this year.

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Family History

For a long time I've wanted to know about my family history. There are a lot of stories, but how true they are remains to be seen. There is a lot of information available about my Mum's side of the family, but very little about Dad's - and that is what fascinates me the most.

Dad came to Australia from England with his parents as a 6 year old, after spending time in the West Indies and Jamaica. We haven't had much contact with the family back in England, so finding out family history is very hard.

I've been trying to do some searching on the internet, but all the family history sites require you to sign up and pay.

Tonight I was doing some internet searching and decided to look up the ship that brought Dad and my Grandparents to Australia. I found some very interesting things, including the crew list and a video of still photos of the ship!



It was fun to see! I just wish there were some photos from the voyage that brought Dad here!

Monday 21 October 2013

ACRBA Tour - Joy by Kirrily Lowe


21 - 15 October

Introducing

Joy  
(Wombat Books August 2010)


By 

Kirrily Lowe


About the Book:


"I've lost my joy where could it be?"
Come with our little girl on a search to find her "Joy".  Is it under the apple tree, is it out to sea, or is it in something that we cannot see?  A message for little ones and big ones – where do we go to find joy when we have lost it.


About the Author:



Kirrily Lowe is the author of The Invisible Tree series of children's books - a delightful and fun series seeking to capture great and timeless values for little ones.

Kirrily began her career as a lawyer working with children in Sydney’s Western Suburbs.

She is now the pastor together with her husband Tim of C3 City Campus - a dynamic and creative congregation in Darlinghurst, Sydney.

Kirrily began writing in 2010 whilst at home with her young children.

Kirrily lives in the northern suburbs of Sydney with Tim and her 3 young and lively boys.


My Thoughts:
This book is such a fun way to teach children where joy truly comes from.
The illustrations are great.
I think I might use it the next time I'm looking after children in creche!

Monday 7 October 2013

ACRBA Tour - The Inheritance by Jo-Anne Berthelsen


7 - 11 October


Introducing

(Even Before Publishing September 2013)

By 

Jo-Anne Berthelsen


About the Book:


Michael Trevelyan is determined to claim his inheritance at all costs. Bitterness consumes him and he refuses to forgive those who have betrayed him. Yet, when he meets Alexandra Hope, things begin to change. She challenges his views but also listens while he shares his pain. Can Michael move on from the past and learn to forgive? Can Alexandra hold onto her faith in God as she deals with their deepening relationship? Can they both learn to trust each other - and God? The Inheritance is a stirring story of family secrets, forgiveness and faith - of leaving behind a dark, painful legacy and walking into the light of God's eternal inheritance. 

About the Author:
Jo-Anne Berthelsen lives in Sydney but grew up in Brisbane. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and has worked as a high school teacher, editor and secretary, as well as in local church ministry. Jo-Anne loves communicating through both the written and spoken word. She is the author of five published novels – Heléna, All the Days of My Life, Laura, Jenna and Heléna’s Legacy, with a sixth, The Inheritance, due for release in 2013. Her first non-fiction work Soul Friend: The story of a shared spiritual journey was released in October 2012. Jo-Anne loves music, reading, mentoring younger women, and sharing with community groups about writing. She is married to a retired minister and has three grown-up children and three grandchildren. 
For more information, please visit www.jo-anneberthelsen.com or www.soulfriend.com.au.


My Thoughts:
I think this is Jo-Anne's best book so far!
I liked it that the book is set in England with a little bit in Australia. And I particularly liked how Jo-Anne developed the faith journey of the characters - both before and after salvation.
She sensitively touched on difficult issues and made it clear that, despite our protests, God is drawing us closer and closer to Himself.

Wednesday 2 October 2013

Contentment Reading Challenge 2013 - September Update



Can you believe it?! Another month is over. Just 3 more months until this year and challenge are over.

So, I guess you're all wondering how many books I've read for September, and I will keep you in suspense no longer.


  • Carolina Carpenter Brides by Lena Nelson Dooley, Janet Benrey, Ron Benrey and Yvonne Lehman
  • First Impressions by Debra White Smith
  • A Bride for Donnigan by Janette Oke
  • Take Flight by Robin Jones Gunn and Cindy Hannan
  • Storm Gathering by Rene Gutteridge
  • The Splitting Storm by Rene Gutteridge
  • Storm Surge by Rene Gutteridge
  • For Better or Worse by Diann Hunt
So, for September that was 8 books, taking me to a total of 54 for the year!

Tuesday 1 October 2013

Who You Are

A Question for Authors

Dear Authors, particularly of romance novels.

Could you please tell me what you mean by the phrase "She dimpled."

Thank  you!

Monday 23 September 2013

ACRBA Tour - Streets of a Map by Dale Harcombe


23 - 27 September


Introducing

(Ark House Press December 2010)

By 

Dale Harcombe



About the Book
Every choice carries a price as Abby discovers when she marries Joel. If she had known when Joel first walked into Clancy’s what lay in store, she would have stopped the relationship before it got started. However, by the time she found out it was too late. The choice was made. Or so she thought.

But then between her and her one friend in Astley, Laila, they arrive at solution that could benefit Abby and the small county town. A deliberately lit fire and an unplanned pregnancy threaten to bring their carefully laid plans and Abby's dreams undone. Problems of some newcomers to the town impinge on Abby's life too, but it is the arrival of an old resident of Astley that could end up destroying everything and not just for Abby. 

Who else's lives will be affected and changed forever. Will the unwelcome arrivals in Astley destroy everything Abby and Laila have worked to achieve? What is the secret that will have all of Astley reeling?



About the Author
Streets on a Map, was published by Ark House Press. Prior to that Dale has had seven children’s books and Kaleidoscope a collection of poetry published. Many poems in Kaleidoscope have been previously published in Australia’s literary magazines. She has won prizes for her poetry and has been published in several anthologies. 
Along with her husband, Dale was for a time houseparent for a family of twelve boys. She has also been a manuscript assessor and book reviewer and run creative writing classes. She has also written bible studies and Sunday school lessons. For several years she wrote about Christian living, marriage and home related topics for www.families.com. She has a BA in Literary and Australian studies. More information about Dale can be found at www.daleharcombe.com or on her Write and Read with Dale blog
http://www.livejournal.com/users/orangedale/



My Thoughts:
The way this book is written, it seems to dump you into the story in the middle. It took me a while to figure out how everything fitted together and then I found it to be a really good story.
Good until one of the characters used "God" as a swear word and right near the end when a swear word was put in.
I finished reading the book, but it was such a let down.
I also wouldn't classify this a Christian book. God is alluded to, but faith in God is never really mentioned or explained.
It's more like a fictional commentary on country life.
This is not a book I'll be making room for or keeping on my shelf.

Monday 16 September 2013

ACRBA Tour - What Would Jesus Drive? by Paul Clark


September 16 - 20


Introducing

(Even Before Publishing March 2012)

by

Paul Clark

About the Author:

Paul Clark is married with two kids. He has nearly 20 years experience in children's and youth ministry having worked in both the city and rural areas. Paul has a knack of sharing the gospel message, simply and profoundly through story - something he is very passionate about. With 10 titles to his name, and more on the way, his resources are down to earth, Australian, and to be watched!


About the Book:


It is Palm Sunday in the Church Car Park and Jesus is riding into Jerusalem. The only problem is deciding what Jesus would have driven into Jerusalem if there had been cars in his time. Was it a motorbike because Jesus was a rebel? Was it a truck so he could stand on the back and teach the crowd? Was it a bus because he was a man of the people and he could have brought his friends along? Find out what the cars think! Part of the Australian Car Park Parables series.



My Thoughts:
I loved the way Paul used something from today's world to illustrate a Bible story. It's so much like how Jesus used parables!
A good story to use for Palm Sunday.