"A Light in the Window" Book Review {Giveaway}

*The October book giveaway winners have been announced! Congrats and thanks so much to everyone who visited and entered.*

In case you are new here, I will say it again: I am a huge fan of Julie Lessman! After reading both her Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series, I am so excited she decided to write the prequel – Marcy's story...

A Light in the Window
One Woman. Two Men.
One stirs her pulse and the other her faith.
But who will win her heart?

Marceline Murphy is a gentle beauty with a well-founded aversion to rogues. But when two of Boston's most notorious pursue her, she encounters a tug-of-war of the heart she isn’t expecting. Sam O’Rourke is the childhood hero she’s pined for, the brother of her best friend and a member of the large, boisterous family to which she longs to be a part. So when his best friend Patrick O’Connor joins in pursuit of her affections, the choice seems all too clear. Sam is from a family of faith and Patrick is not, two rogues whose wild ways clash head-on with Marcy’s—both in her faith and in her heart.

While overseeing the Christmas play fundraiser for the St. Mary’s parish soup kitchen—A Light in the Window—Marcy not only wrestles with her attraction to both men, but with her concern for their spiritual welfare. The play is based on the Irish custom of placing a candle in the window on Christmas Eve to welcome the Holy Family, and for Marcy, its message becomes deeply personal. Her grandmother Mima cautions her to guard her heart for the type of man who will respond to the "light in the window," meaning the message of Christ in her heart. But when disaster strikes during the play, Marcy is destined to discover the truth of the play’s message first-hand when it becomes clear that although two men have professed their undying love, only one has truly responded to “the light in the window.”

 

My thoughts:  
Even if I had never heard of Julie Lessman before, just the fact that this book is labeled "An Irish Christmas Love Story" would have been enough to make me pick it up...

Writers amaze me. As someone who can't keep up with what is going on in my own life, I don't know how they keep all the characters and facts straight. Going 'back' and writing the love story that started two series? Julie Lessman is a genius!
  
I absolutely loved A Light in the Window! These characters have already become real to me over the past several books, so reading their love story was icing on the cake. Like anything Julie writes, you will go through tons of emotions. She has a way of writing that provokes you to feel what they are feeling and that is a gift. I find myself smiling, laughing, crying and yelling when reading her stories. 

Marcy's story did not disappoint me at all. It is filled with depth and emotion and even though (as someone who has read all the other books) I knew how it would end, it kept me guessing all the way to the end!

Thanks Julie and please (please, please!) write Gabe's story, too!

Note:

A Light in the Window is the prequel to The Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series. If you have never read anything by Julie Lessman, start with this book. And I am sure I don’t have to say… if you have read EVERYTHING by Julie, you will have to read it!

About the author:
Julie Lessman is the popular author of A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and A Passion Denied, as well as A Hope Undaunted, which was one of 2010's Booklist Top Ten Inspirational Fiction winners, and A Heart Revealed. Lessman has garnered several writing awards, including ten Romance Writers of America awards. She lives in Missouri.

The extras:
Check out Julie’s website for more great information, book excerpts and contests!

Don’t miss my reviews of Julie’s A Heart Revealed and A Love Surrendered.

The giveaway and fine print: 
The winner will receive a digital Kindle copy of Julie Lessman’s A Light in the Window.

A Light in the Window releases on November 9^th, pre-order your copy now! If you pre-order and then are chosen as the winner, I will send you an Amazon gift certificate instead.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions expressed are all mine and I was not required to give a positive review. 

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"Full Disclosure" Review {Giveaway}

I *may* have been a little over zealous when signing up for book reviews for the fall, but I am having a blast getting to read all of the new books and then giving you a chance to win them - it wouldn't be as much fun if I couldn't share them with at least one lucky reader!

The latest winners have been announced - Elizabeth has won a copy of Jody Hedlund's Unending Devotion and Karen has won a copy of Sarah Sundin's With Every Letter. Please check your email for further instructions and thanks so much to everyone who entered!

Today seems to be a big day for book releases (in fact, tomorrow I will start another giveaway for Denise Hunter's The Trouble With Cowboys), besides Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson, Liz Curtis Higgs' newest book is also out today. I wasn't able to get an advance copy, so I will be downloading A Wreath of Snow. I can't wait to get started!

My very first Dee Henderson book was True Devotion (I am a sucker for a man in uniform...) and I have been hooked ever since. Five years was a long time to wait for her next book, but it was so worth it!

About the book:

Ann Silver is a cop’s cop. As the Midwest Homicide Investigator, she is called in to help on the worst of the cases, looking for answers to murder. Hers is one of the most trusted investigative positions in the Midwest.

Paul Falcon is the FBI’s top murder cop. If the victim carried a federal badge or had a security clearance, odds are good he sees the case file or his guys work the murder.

Their lives intersect when Ann arrives to pass a case off her desk and onto his. A car wreck and a suspicious death offer a lead on a hired shooter he is tracking. Paul isn’t expecting to meet someone, the kind that goes on the personal side of the ledger, but Ann Silver has his attention.

The better he gets to know her, the more he realizes her job barely scratches the surface of who she is. She knows spies and soldiers and U.S. Marshals, and has written books about them. She is friends with the former Vice President. People with good reason to be cautious about who they let into their lives deeply trust her. Paul wonders just what secrets Ann is keeping, until she shows him the John Doe Killer case file, and he starts to realize just who this lady he is falling in love with really is . . . 

My thoughts:

I received my 'advance' copy of Full Disclosure before I left for MOPS Convention and decided that I would read it on the plane, big mistake! I didn't have enough time to finish it and once I got to Dallas, I hit the ground running. All I could think about all week was, "what is going to happen next?!" It drove me crazy! I did manage to finish it on the flight back. The poor guy next to me was kept rudely awake by my light and even commented on how fast I was reading.

This was an amazing book! I know I say that a lot, but wow! Dee is an incredible author, so I didn't expect anything less, but she really out did herself this time. Full Disclosure is not 'just' a romance and it's not 'just' a thriller, I love how it is a story of two individuals who mesh their stories into one. There are so many twists and turns while you discover who Ann and Paul really are. I don't know how she can build a story with so many layers that it keeps you guessing the entire time. I loved every moment. Definitely a 5 star book!

About the author:
Dee Henderson is the bestselling, award-winning author of 15 previous novels, including the acclaimed O’Malley series and Uncommon Heroes series. She is a lifelong resident of Illinois.

Learn more about Full Disclosure here and don't miss the book trailer!

The prize and the fine print:
The winner will be emailed a digital Kindle copy of Dee Henderson’s Full Disclosure. If you choose to purchase before the giveaway is over, please keep your receipt! I will reimburse up to $10 in Amazon gift certificate.

I was provided with a complimentary advance readers’ copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions expressed are all mine and I was not required to give a positive review.

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What a Difference a Mom Makes Book Review {Giveaway}

Congrats to the winners of the last two giveaways!
Poekitten won a copy of Lethal Legacy by Irene Hannon

and 

Kati won a  copy of Raising Financially Confident Kids by Mary Hunt
Thanks for entering and please check your email :)

Since I love giveaways, I wanted to let you know about one that Dr. Leman is running right now. If you purchase What a Difference a Mom Makes: The Indelible Imprint a Mom Leaves on her Son's Life and review it, he is giving you TWO of his books for FREE! (Free is one of my favorite words.) For all of the details, please visit his website. And if you buy the book and then are chosen as my winner, I will send you an Amazon gift certificate for $10 in place of the book! (Proof of purchase required.) 

If you have never read anything by Kevin Leman, you are missing out! Not only does he give great advice, he is incredibly funny and makes reading his books a joy. I have had the pleasure of seeing him live and he talks just like he writes, he is real and not afraid to share his own mistakes and you can hear his heart and passion for families. 

About the book: 

Think Father-Son Bonding Is the Only Thing that Matters? Think Again.

Dr. Kevin Leman Tells Why A Mom’s Relationship with Her Son Matters Uniquely - And How to Make It Stronger At Every Age

“You’ve always dreamed of having that precious little daughter – one who is a little replica of you. And then you show up at the doctor’s office for your sonogram.  “What’s that?” you say pointing at a little something you can’t quite place on the blurry black-and-white image.  And the doc says, “That’s a penis.”  You frown, not understanding.  “My daughter’s got a penis?”  Then realization dawns.  “A boy?”  Inside you start to panic.  What do I do with a boy?  I don’t know a thing about boys!  Ah, but you will.”

For some moms, sons are confusing right from that first diaper change on. But by the time a mom makes it through the treasures a boy brings home in his pockets during grade school, the extra dirt her boy seems to find every time he goes outside, and the changes that puberty and driving privileges bring, she’s sure of only one thing- she does not understand boys! 

But if any of that tempts a mom to leave the big stuff to Dad, she’s missing out on an amazing opportunity, says Dr. Kevin Leman. “Of all the people in the world, you, Mom, make the biggest difference in your son’s world.” Leman says “He’ll never reveal it to you straight out, so I’ll say it plainly. Your boy wants to please you. And that driving need will stay with him for a lifetime.”

By recognizing the deepest desire of her son, a mom can speak into her son’s life in ways that help him develop good relationships with other women, understand his own sexuality, fight his own battles, and command respect.

And along the way, it is possible, Leman believes, to learn some key coping skills for parenting your son and keeping a sense of humor along the way. True, moms may never understand why some things are funny to your son that are just disgusting to you, but you can still embrace the chance to leave an indelible imprint on your son’s life with fun and grace.

My thoughts:
Wow. What a great book. Very impacting and maybe stuff I already know (to a point), but have ignored (because it is easier) or needed encouragement to implement. I really enjoyed how the chapters were broken down and covered everything from birth order, sex and even how I as a mom allow myself to be treated. There is a lot of material covered in this book and honestly, it will be read again as I try to digest it all. I really wish I would have had it earlier - since my son is 12 years old. Thank you Dr. Leman! 

About the author: Dr. Kevin Leman is an internationally known psychologist, humorist, and New York Times bestselling author of Have a New Kid by Friday.  He is the author of many books, including TheBirth Order Book, Making Children Mind without Losing Yours, Have a NewHusband by Friday, and Have a NewTeenager by Friday.  He is a radio and television personality, and speaker who has taught and entertained audiences worldwide with his wit and common-sense psychology.  He has made house calls for hundreds of radio and television programs, including Fox & Friends, The View, Today, Oprah, The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning and Focus on the Family.  He has also served as a contributing family psychologist to Good Morning America.  

Dr. Leman and his wife, Sande, live in Tucson, Arizona. They have five children and two grandchildren. Visit his website at www.birthorderguy.com.

The prize and fine print:

The winner will be mailed one copy of What a Difference a Mom Makes: The Indelible Imprint a Mom Leaves on Her Son's Life via media mail.

This mailing is limited to USA (including APO/FPO) and CAN addresses. (Sorry, the costs to ship overseas were killing my blog budget!)

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions expressed are all mine and I was not required to give a positive review.

What a Difference a Mom Makes is available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
 

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