Moving Music

Love this music ... to bad it's not on the actual soundtrack CD. If you want it, you have to get the soundtrack for Life as a House.

Kids Again

I think life was much simpler when I was a child. I'm glad I grew up when I did.

All You've Ever Wanted

ACRBA Tour - Falling for the Farmer by Narelle Atkins

3 - 7 March 2014

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

Falling for the Farmer

Heartsong Presents

By

Narelle Atkins

About the Book

KATE LAWSON IS A RUNAWAY BRIDE

And she’s incredibly grateful when Jack Bradley offers her a job on his apple farm. Working side by side in the orchards with her best friend’s brother seems like the perfect way to get over her disastrous engagement. Until Kate finds herself falling hard for the handsome farmer.

Jack Bradley knows city-girl Kate isn’t here to stay. Yet suddenly he’s imagining a life with her in the country. When Kate considers going back to the city, can Jack find a way to show her that her real home is here on the farm, by his side?

About the Author

NARELLE ATKINS writes contemporary inspirational romance and lives in Canberra, Australia. She sold her debut novel, set in Australia, to Harlequin's Love Inspired Heartsong Presents line in a six-book contract. She is also a member of International Christian Fiction Writers group blog.http://internationalchristianfictionwriters.blogspot.com
Narelle is a co-founder with Jenny Blake of the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance (ACRBA). http://acrba.blogspot.com 
Her debut book, Falling for the Farmer, will be a February 2014 release, followed by The Nurse's Perfect Match in May 2014 andThe Doctor's Return in August 2014.

Website: http://www.narelleatkins.com

Blog: http://narelleatkins.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NarelleAtkinsAuthor

Twitter: @NarelleAtkins https://twitter.com/NarelleAtkins

My Thoughts:
I liked this book. Not just because it was a Heartsong book set in Australia, but because I liked the story! Kate and Jack are realistic characters and I really liked it that the story was mostly set out of the city.

I'm looking forward to reading more of Narelle's books as they come out!

ACRBA Tour - From Eden with Love by Ray Hawkins

17 - 21 February 2014

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

From Eden with Love by 

Even Before Publishing

By

Ray Hawkins

About the Book
Be taken on a tour of the Majesty of Marriage through 31 days of 'From Eden with Love.'

Discover the Heavenly mystery underpinning the meaning of the Christian Marriage.

About the Author

Ray Hawkins, retired after over 40 years as a Churches of Christ minister, enjoys sharing themes from the Scriptures through Devotional writing. Married to Mary, multi-published inspirational romance author, they have three children and five grandchildren. Ray shares his insights in his first two books on Marriage and Children with more ideas to come about ministry and much more. Living in Beauty Point Tasmania Ray heads up a new Christian Fellowship as well as doing relief preaching, community work and writing.

My Thoughts:

I really like Ray's devotional books, but I wasn't sure about reading this one because I'm not married and have no prospects. However, I found many things that are still relevant for me as a single woman.

Some things I read are things I can put into practice in the relationships I have with other people, while other things are tucked away in my mind to prepare myself for marriage (one day, I hope).

A George Bailey Moment

No, not the Australian Cricketer, the character from that classic movie watched by millions of people each Christmas, 'It's A Wonderful Life'.


Not that I wish I had never been born - life is too interesting for that. And I'm not suicidal. A woman just has certain questions that need to be put into words, and thoughts that must be expressed even if there are currently no answers.

When your 32nd birthday is almost upon you and life has not gone how you thought it might, and if you were only allowed 2 words to describe the previous year and they are 'isolation' and 'loneliness' ... hence the George Bailey moment.

So for those of you who I actually know out of cyber space, these questions and thoughts are for you.

If I was to suddenly disappear, would you even notice I wasn't there?

Of course if I didn't show up for work or the ministries I am a part of you would, but what about in a purely social setting?

When in the past 10 years (because that is how long I've been in my current location) were you the one to approach me, not because you needed me to do something, but because you just wanted to chat and find out how  I was going?

When did you invite me to something, not because I just happened to be standing with another person you were asking or because it was the socially acceptable thing to do, but because you actually wanted me there?

If I wasn't at church one Sunday, did you check up on me to see if I was OK?

Is it really that hard to add one more person into your circle of friends?

Why is it that you tell people about how 'wonderful' a friend I am, but don't actually take the time to be a real friend to me?

Why am I the only one making an effort at friendship?

What would you do if I stopped being friendly towards you? Would you try to find out why or just go back to your original circle of friends?

To be perfectly honest, I'm tired of trying to be friends with you without any hope of returned friendship.

I hate feeling this way when my birthday is upon me.

I just need a few real friends - ones who are around and there for me.
I love it that my best friend is serving God in another part of the world, but it's very lonely without her.

So, my challenge to you is - will you think about the people around you; the ones who are offering friendship, but you don't have time for?
They could be the best friends you will ever have, but you're missing it because you won't reach out to them.

2014 TBR Pile Challenge - January Update

Hmmm ... I had almost forgotten about this with the beginning of the new school year.

Let's see which books I read in January.

• Inspirational Romance Reader: Historical Collection Vol. 2 by Brenda Bancroft, Kate Blackwell, JoAnn A Grote and Sally Laity
• Betrayal on the Border by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
• Redeeming Sarah's Present by Mildred Colvin
• Perfect Ways by Jeri Odell
• Inspirational Romance Reader: Historical Collection Vol. 1 by Colleen L Reece, Maryn Langer, Norene Morris and Tracie Peterson
• Blues Along the River by Sandra Robbins
• Romance at Rainbow's End by Colleen L Reece

So there you are, of the 29 books originally listed I have read 7! Not a bad start!

2014 TBR Pile Challenge

How many of you have a TBR pile that is out of control?
Where some of the books have been in the pile so long that you don't remember when you bought them?

That is why I'm  starting this challenge.

I have a bunch of books that have been in my TBR pile since before the beginning of 2013, and I want to read as many of them as possible in 2014.

I have got a start on my pile, but I'll give you a list of the books I plan to get through this year.
The list is in a rough order of when the books arrived on my TBR pile.

• Where Jesus Walked by Ken Duncan
• God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew
• Light Force by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen
• Glory of Creation by Thomas Kinkade
• Home Warming by Emilie Barnes
• Reflections of a Thankful Heart by Lori Wick
• Cast of Characters by Max Lucado
• Australian Stories of Hope and Joy by various authors
• Decorating Without Fear by Sharon Hanby-Robie
• The Simple Home by Sharon Hanby-Robie
• Every Day Deserves a Chance by Max Lucado
• Inspirational Romance Reader: Historical Collection Vol. 1 by Colleen L Reece, Maryn Langer, Norene Morris and Tracie Peterson
• The Pledge by Jane Peart
• The Crossing by Gilbert Morris
• 12 Questions to Ask Before You Marry by Clayton and Charie King
• The Sword by Gilbert Morris
• Redeeming Sarah's Present by Mildren Colvin
• Blues Along the River by Sandra Robbins
• Christy Miller's Diary by Robin Jones Gunn
• Romance at Rainbow's End by Colleen L Reece
• Perfect Ways by Jeri Odell
• Treasure in the Hills by Paige Winship Dooly
• Betrayal on the Border by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
• The Circus Collection by Enid Blyton
• So You Want to be Like Christ? by Charles Swindoll
• The Story Girl by L M Montgomery
• The Golden Road by L M Montgomery
• Jennifer by Dee Henderson
• Inspirational Romance Reader: Historical Collection Vol. 2 by Brenda Bancroft, Kate Blackwell, JoAnn A Grote and Sally Laity

No, I'm not telling you which ones I have read so far - you'll have to wait for for my monthly update for that!

You'll notice a wide range of topics in these books - also both fiction and non-fiction. Some are books I've read before, but have been given or bought my own copy in recent years.

Please feel free to join me, and please let me know how you go!

Blessings and happy reading!!
(Updated to cross off those I've read 27.7.2014)

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