A Merry Little Christmas~ Review & Giveaway

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I was in the mountains of Colorado last week as I was reading this book with snow on the ground. What did I think about this book? Well let me count the ways.

 First of all~ Christmas and romance just cast a magical spell over me. I could not help but fall in love with Franny from the first page. She is all alone and struggling after her parents death to keep her little farm up and running. Yet ~ she feels like she is missing out on her God-given desire to follow her dream of music. Charlie just happens to come along just at the right time to give her an opportunity to leave all the milking~ chores and nitty gritty dirt and grime behind. 

But did Charlie have to be so dog- gone adorable?

What I really loved about this book is that I found out I was reading a very modern version of  " Charles Dickens~ The Scrooge" without even knowing it until the end of the book. Anita Higman captured my heart from the very first line~ I loved this book!

I rate this book a 5 + ~ everyone on your Christmas list needs a copy of this book.

I was provided this book in exchange for my honest review. 







About A Merry Little Christmas: 
Fall in love with this cozy story about two people from different worlds.

Franny Martin is an Oklahoma farm girl who's preparing to spend the holidays alone...again. Then Charlie Landau shows up one day, all wealth and polish, and offers to buy Franny's farm. Franny has no money to speak of, but she is clever and spirited, and she's more than happy to sell the farm and move to the city.

As Sinatra croons from the radio and Christmas descends upon her charming farm, Franny teaches Charlie the curious and sometimes comical ways of country life. In the process, they unearth some discoveries of the heart-that sometimes love comes when you're least ready for it. Will the holidays bring their most impossible dreams within reach?
Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/eyLJH   
Meet Anita:Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has over thirty books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She's been a Barnes & Noble "Author of the Month" for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends.

Find out more about Anita athttp://www.anitahigman.com.


Oh Looky here~ you have a chance to win a copy!

Anita Higman invites readers to kick off the season with a spirited holiday tale.

Anita is spreading the Christmas cheer by giving away FIFTEEN COPIES of the book.

To enter to win A Merry Little Christmas, just head over to"http://www.anitahigman.com/contest.html" THE CONTEST PAGE at Anita's website and fill out the short form. Be sure to put BLOG CONTEST in the Subject Line. That's it.

Winners will be announced on the Litfuse blog (and notified by email) on 11/9.


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Life's A Cinch By The Inch~ But Hard By The Yard

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My old pastor said this all the time~ "Life is a cinch by the inch but hard by the yard."   While I was in Colorado last week I met a bunch of great ladies. They were uniquely different as they unfolded their testimonies and life stories. You know we all have stories. We have victories and losses. Each lady has had her fair share of troubles and trials.

My life is no different. But as a child of God even the bad days have become sweeter with God holding my hand. Not only that but God has a plan for my life and yours too. He takes the bad things and uses them for my good. Wow~ I can even rest in knowing the hard days will make me stronger.  He gives us His power to make it one day at a time. He knew from the beginning of time the valleys you would walk through. He can be trusted ~ why?

Because this is how He feels about YOU!


Psalm 139:14-18

King James Version (KJV)
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.



Still worried?


Jeremiah 29:11

King James Version (KJV)
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

 No matter what you are facing today remember that you can trust God ~ he will never leave you or forsake you. Just by understanding how God has felt about me from the beginning of time gives me great strength. 

Jeremiah 29:13-14

King James Version (KJV)
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14 And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Life is a cinch by the inch when we are trusting God.

Ephesians 3:16

King James Version (KJV)
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;


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Mum's The Word ~ Autumn Retreat

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Oh my stars~ I had the most wonderful time in Colorado. I must say the Sea Band worked. I am now a believer. I did not get altitude sickness~ thank you for your prayers. 

The retreat was in Silverthorn. I was a little  confused because I thought it was going to be in Evergreen.  It was just beautiful. I enjoyed the cool air and snow on the ground. But mostly I enjoyed getting to meet these ladies from Woodside Baptist Church! They so blessed me and I was glad to spend time with them~ I made many new friends.

 Me enjoying the company~ without my boots.
There was snow on the ground but the air was perfect.

 These two ladies are just beautiful inside and out. They are the church sweethearts~ and sisters too~ so I was told.  However~I was convinced after getting to know them. They make the most beautiful jewelry and made each lady a pair of earrings. I will cherish mine for always.
My Aunt Kim entertained me the whole four days while I was in Colorado. 
She has a way of spoiling me and always has~ I love her to pieces.
We had such a great time together~ I am dieting all week to overcome her spoiling.


This little lady was the servant of the group.
 She is always trying to help someone ~ with this smile.
It was such a blessing getting to know her~ what a servant.
I am so excited she will soon be reunited with her husband ~
 he has been in Afghanistan and is returning home for Thanksgiving.



What a fantastic place to have a retreat.


 Our visitor~ this little fox was fat and sassy!


What a view!




The ladies made me this Autumn Basket full of all my favorite fall treats~ and spending money too.

Thank you Kim and all the ladies from Woodside Baptist for letting me be apart of your special time away. I so enjoyed getting to meet each and everyone of you. I had the best time! I will be back for your next church picnic!

 I am praying this prayer for you all~

Numbers 6: 24-26

24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee.
25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.



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The Memory Jar~

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My Thoughts~
Oh my goodness~ Tricia does it once again. The minute I picked up this book I could not put it down. The book just grabs your attention from the very first line. The characters come alive on the pages. I could not help but fall in love with Sarah~ wishing I could help convince her that it was not her fault.

Sarah is grieving the loss of her very best friend. She is carrying around the guilt of her death and punishing herself for the loss of Patty. After all ~she wanted Patty to get in that boat. Sarah believes she deserves to be an old maid ~and the pity that others give her.  She holds on to the memories of Patty and all their time together in her precious memory jar.

Yet ~ it all changes when Jathan Schrock comes from Montana in hopes to get residence status so that he can hunt come hunting season. So they say~ these young bachelors seem to come hunting a bride to take home to home. Will Jathan get a bride to take home to dear ol' mom?

I loved this book and will be eagerly waiting for book number 2.

This book was provided to me in exchange for my honest review.


About The Memory Jar:

Book One in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series
Every year, 30-40 young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive 'resident' status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides! Sarah Shelter has lived in West Kootenai for the last ten years and wonders if she will ever fall in love.andnbsp;Since the tragic death of her best friend, she carries her memories in a jar along with the small items connected to them. For just as long, she's also been carrying around her emotions instead of allowing them to penetrate deep into her heart. Now she's met a kind and gentle man who may be able to break down the wall. But can Sarah risk her heart to finally achieve her dreams?






Link to buy the book:


Meet Tricia:



Tricia Goyer is the award winning author of over thirty books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences and is the host of Living Inspired. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.



Find out more about Tricia at http://triciagoyer.com.




Meet Tricia:



Tricia Goyer is the award winning author of over thirty books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences and is the host of Living Inspired. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.



Find out more about Tricia at http://triciagoyer.com.






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My Brian~

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It's not every day you meet  Prince Charming~ fall in love ~and live happily ever after. But I have to confess I am one of the luckiest girls in the world. I married my Prince Charming and I am still living my happily ever after. 

                                       I love you from the top of your head to the tip of your toes~
                                                     Happy Birthday My Brian!
                                                                 What a charmed life!






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"It's A Wonderful Life"

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Good Morning Blog Friends~
My feet have hit the ground in Colorado. So far lots of water and my Sea Band are keeping me smiling. It was a rough take-off due to the wind storms in the Midwest. I enjoyed a wonderful flight with a Diet Coke ~ peanuts and a new Christmas book I am reviewing. To think we can step on a plane and be anywhere we want in no time at all is still amazing to this simple Missouri girl.

Before I left this momma's heart was glad for sure. My teenagery boy that is getting "too cool" to need a momma ~ gave his momma a big hug and kiss. I remember when he was little he use to do that all the time. I am on my fourth teenager so I full well know this too shall pass~ but it sure felt nice. I may just go away more often until he does outgrow this stage in life just for his hugs.

Before my feet left the ground I was already missing that man of mine. I just hate goodbyes~ I know you have heard me say this before but it is so very true. I cry each and every time. (I think crying is something you start when you become a Grammy.) I love that man of mine so stinkin much. I am blessed with a great and Godly man.

Aunt Kim

When that door to that crazy train ride ~that plunges you underground so fast you best hold on for dear life ~ stood my favorite Aunt/aka Big Sister to greet me. I am so enjoying spending time with her. We share so many childhood memories~ just brings tears to my eyes again. I am so blessed.

As I crawled in a comfy bed last night I could not help but count all my blessings. I am loved by great people and I love great people. What more could a girl ask for? It truly is "A Wonderful Life."

Have you counted your blessings today?

Proverbs 15:13
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

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No Worries~

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Well if you are like me you are still trying to sort out last night's debate.  As I woke up this morning for my quiet time with God my heart is very heavy for our great country. I love America and I am proud to be an American. I fear she is not shining as bright as she once did because she is losing the Godly principles that made her so great.

I do not get political on my blog for a reason~ but I am a very political person. I am a Christian first and an American second. I do believe that we should look at Biblical principles and vote for the man that stands for what God stands for based on the Scriptures to the best of our ability. I will vote for Biblical principles not my pocketbook always. I will vote for life always.

When the dust all settles and the country has had her vote I will continue to trust God not the President of the United States. I will pray for him daily but I will not place my trust in him. I will continue to stand for Godly principles no matter who wins the White House. I will continue to serve God.

My faith~ my hope ~ and my trust are in Christ alone.


Psalm 55:22

 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: 
he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

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I Am Being Real Today~

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I am packing my bags~ Colorado ~ here I come. I have been studying about taming the tongue for several  months now. And this morning I got up bright and early to do my devotions. Once again God is calling me to the book of James. Have you ever read the whole book of James in one sitting? If not~ I challenge you to do so. It truly is a picture of what a follower of Jesus looks like.

It starts out as James~ a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. I want that to be written about me. Don't you? Then he goes on to tell us to count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. You may say what in the world does that mean?

  'Divers' is an old fashioned way of saying 'diverse'~ which is an adjective showing a great deal of variety. So it means ~ " many different temptations." 

Whew~ now that makes sense. What temptations do you struggle with? I don't struggle with lust~ discontentment~ drugs~ alcohol ~ but I do struggle in an area. I am being "real" here. Are you listening? I don't have it all together. I am not a "perfect Christian."

 James says if we lack wisdom we need to ask God for it. I have been doing that most all my life~ I hope that I have grown in my 28 years of following Jesus. I pray that I have and I pray I will continue to do so. But I have not arrived and I am pretty sure you have not either.

On down the chapter of James 1~ James lays it out~ this is where the rubber meets the road. 

 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

James 1:19


Do you think that maybe God gave us two nostrils, two ears, two eyes but only one mouth on purpose? I think just maybe so. I have a hard time being swift to hear but slow to speak. Oh how I struggle with this. My type A personality wants to fix~ manage~ organize life. I am quick with finding the solution.

How about you? I have come so far but yet I have so far to go. I think I have a control on it until my buttons get pushed. Do you have a person in your life who seems to make it their life goal to push your buttons?~ I sure do. It is better to set boundaries in your life and walk away when we feel ourselves losing control of our tongue.

Yet~ James tells us no matter how far we think we have come as a "Christian" if we seem to be religious or we think we have grown spiritually our tongue is the deciding factor. If we can't bridal~ control our tongue it is all in vain. Our testimony~ our reputation~ our sanity is all at stake. James knew this ~ I think he was a very wise man.

 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

James 1:26


 It really is true~ not matter what excuses we make. So what do we do when we are attacked or our buttons are pushed? Well if our first response is to run our mouth~ we are deceiving ourselves.  God's Word does not lie~ it never works! All our talk is just that ~ all talk. We are hearers if the Word but not doers.

Did you get it? If we can't control our mouths~ all our credibility is lost. 

Yeah ~ well are you are as convicted as I am? 

When you go to the Doctor ~ he takes that tongue depressor and looks at your tongue. Why ? Because he can tell much about your health by looking at our tongue. So I ask you today by looking at your tongue ~ how is your spiritual health?




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Queen of the Waves~ Book Review

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This is my second book I have read from An American Tapestries. As a person who loves history~ I love taking a journey abroad the Titanic. A little history~ a little suspense and a little romance grace the pages of this book and I could not put it down.

Lady Jacqueline is told by her father that she was being arranged to marry Roland~ a wealthy business man. She is not only stunned by this bit of information but she is in love with the gardener. Her father would be livid if he knew. He mother is on her side about arranged marriages and decides to send her to America to escape marriage. Only she wants to stay behind with the gardener~ Peter. So she schemes to find a young poor girl named Tessa to take her place going aboard the Titanic.

As history goes we all know there is no happy ending here but I so enjoyed walking through the history of the voyage~ it made me feel as though I were living through it myself. I was pleasantly happy with the ending of this story. 

I highly recommend the books in An American Tapestry.

I was given this book in exchange for my honest review. I rate this book 5 stars.



Queen of the Waves - Janice Thompson

Link to buy the book: 

http://ow.ly/e0YHw 

About the book: 

When pampered Jacqueline Abington secretly elopes with the family gardener, she asks another woman to take her place on the much anticipated maiden voyage of the Titanic. Tessa Bowen hails from a poor corner of London but has been granted the opportunity of a lifetime—a ticket to sail to America aboard a famed vessel. But there’s a catch: she must assume Jacqueline’s identity. For the first time in her life, Tessa stays in luxurious quarters, dresses in elegant gowns, and dines with prestigious people. Then a wealthy American man takes an interest in her, and Tessa struggles to keep up the ruse as she begins falling for him. When tragedy strikes, the game is up, and two women’s lives are forever changed.

Meet Janice:

Award-winning author Janice Thompson, who also writes under the name Janice Hanna, has published nearly eighty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more.

She formerly served as vice president of the Christian Authors Network and was named the 2008 Mentor of the Year by the American Christian Fiction Writers.
Thompson lives in Spring, Texas, near her four grown daughters and young grandchildren. She leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends and two mischievous dachshunds.

Readers can keep up with Janice Thompson by visiting janiceathompson.com, becoming a fan on Facebook or following her Twitter.

Find out more about Janice at http://janicethompson.com.



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Share The Bounty~ I LOVE THIS BOOK!

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 I am so excited about this book. It is a big ~ hard cover ~book. It is really a cookbook but it looks much like a coffee table book as well. It's big beautiful glossy pages just beckon you to sit down and go through it page by page. Which is exactly what I did when the postman delivered it to my door. I just couldn't help myself. I was not expecting it to be such a large book~ and it is beautiful.

 The recipes are familiar but have unusual twist. I am so excited to try each one. Can you tell I am so in love with this book?

On each page not only are the most amazing recipes but each page is filled with scripture verses, quotes, and hospitality ideas. The photography automatically draws you in~ very well done.

The book begins with The Call and Prepare to Share~ we are so very blessed in this country and this book inspires you to take what you have and share it with others through the spirit of hospitality. It would make a wonderful gift for the cook in your life.



Book Description

When people come into your home, what do they see? Have you prepared for their visit? Are your gatherings imbued with the sweet spirit of charity? Whether you're celebrating a joyous occasion with your dearest friends and family, welcoming overnight guests, or comforting someone in need, your home can be a sanctuary of Christian fellowship. Discover the scriptural basis for hospitality through this compilation of menus, each designed to complement life's most important occasions with the people you cherish.
Beautifully photographed and styled, Share the Bounty will inspire you to open your home and reflect God's grace to all who sit at your table. Serve Grilled Chicken & Wild Rice Salad with Coffee Mousse at a casual luncheon for your closest friends. Usher the new neighbors into your dining room for an elegant dinner of Sunday Rib Roast, or greet your out-of-town guests with Blueberry Peach Coffee Cake on their first morning in your home. Broaden your family's understanding of other cultures with Pollo San Miguel, a meal that reflects the flavors of another country. Scattered among the recipes is a selection of Scriptures, prayers, and poetry that will focus your heart on praise and thanksgiving as you prepare to share with others his provision in your home.


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Where the Trail Ends~

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Have you ever wondered what it must have been like to leave behind your family and friends ~ pack just a few belongings and head out by wagon to a new and unknown land? If so you will love this book. 

Samantha  takes you along on her journey from Missouri along the trail to Oregon, Country. She travels with her father and younger brother~Micah~ along with other adventure seekers. They weather the storms of Autumn, empty stomachs and wildlife lurking in the shadows. Not to mention her father becomes very ill. She finds herself all alone with her younger brother~ having to make big decisions at such a young age. I loved taking the wagon trail in the pages of this book!

I have to admit I started this book and read it in one sitting~long into the night hours. I could not put it down and was drawn in to read the next page~ page after page.

After she finds herself capsized on the Columbia River she must rely on Lord Alexander to rescue them from icy waters. She finds herself falling in love with him ~ yet she has been promised to another. 

 This book was provided to me in exchange for my honest review. I give this book 5 stars~ I so enjoyed it! 




Where the Trail Ends - Melanie Dobson

Link to buy the book:

http://ow.ly/e0YC2 

About the Book: 

A young woman traveling the Oregon Trail in 1842 must rely on a stranger to bring her to safety. But whom can she trust with her heart?

For two thousand miles along the trail to Oregon Country, Samantha Waldron and her family must overcome tremendous challenges to reach the Willamette Valley before winter. Together they weather autumn storms, hunger and thirst, and the dangers of a wild and unfamiliar country. But when their canoe capsizes on the Columbia River, they must rely on handsome British exporter Alexander Clarke to rescue them from the icy water.

Alex escorts Samantha and her young brother, Micah, to Fort Vancouver. There Samantha is overwhelmed with men vying for her affections, but the only one who intrigues her-Alex-is the one she cannot have. When his betrothed arrives unexpectedly from England to escort him home, Samantha becomes determined to create a home for herself and Micah in the fertile valley far away from the fort. But how will an unmarried woman support herself and her brother in the wilderness alone? 

Then Micah disappears into the wilderness one rainy night, and Samantha must rely on the man she loves-the man she’s trying desperately to forget-to rescue her brother before it’s too late.


Meet Melanie: 

Melanie Dobson has written ten contemporary and historical novels including five releases in Summerside’s Love Finds You series. In 2011, two of her releases won Carol Awards: Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa (for historical romance) and The Silent Order (for romantic suspense).
Prior to her writing career, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and a publicist for The Family Channel. She later launched her own public relations company and worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for more than fifteen years.
Melanie and her family enjoy their home in the Pacific Northwest. The entire Dobson family loves to travel and hike in both the mountains and along the cliffs above the Pacific.

When Melanie isn’t writing or playing with her family, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.

Find out more about Melanie at http://www.melaniedobson.com.


 American Tapestries Kindle Fire Giveaway and {10/18} Facebook Party!

Enter Today - 9/27 - 10/17!
 American Tapestries Melanie Dobson Janice Thompson Kindle Fire Giveaway





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