Throw the Devil Off the Train by Stephen Bly*A Review

Catherine Goodwin's got to escape. She wants a fresh start with fiancé Philip in Paradise Springs. Race Hillyard's into revenge. He seeks to settle a bitter score. Meanwhile, all he wants is peace and quiet and sleep. But it's a long, crowded, noisy train ride from Omaha to Sacramento.

Library Binding: 384 pages
Publisher: Center Point Pub; Lrg edition (May 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1611730244
ISBN-13: 978-1611730241
Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds

Stephen Bly has authored 100 books and hundreds of articles. His book, THE LONG TRAIL HOME, (Broadman & Holman), won the prestigious 2002 CHRISTY AWARD for excellence in Christian fiction in the category western novel. Three other books, PICTURE ROCK (Crossway Books), THE OUTLAW'S TWIN SISTER (Crossway Books), and LAST OF THE TEXAS CAMP (Broadman & Holman), were Christy Award finalists.

http://www.blybooks.com/newhome.htm



MY REVIEW
Throw the Devil Off the Train by Stephen Bly is one fantastic book. Most of the story takes place inside of the train heading West. Two unlikely people meet and at first can’t stand each other, but before long become close friends.
This book is full of action and adventure. You won’t find a chapter in this book that doesn’t have you sitting on the edge of your seat, just waiting to find out what the outcome will be. It was hard to put it down in the evening. I would have stayed up all night to finish it if I could have.
I really like the way that Catherine and Race spar back and forth in every thing they discuss. I also like how Catherine makes Race’s saddle something to talk to.
This book is full of kidnappers, swindlers, suicides, love lost and love to come. You will find out Catherine and Race’s past mistakes and lives, but also find the present.
Throw the Devil Off the Train is a touching, tough kind of western, that will keep you turning pages. Stephen Bly the master storyteller has given us another story to enjoy time and time again. This book is so uplifting and entertaining and the words just leap off the pages.
I highly recommend any book by Stephen Bly, but this one is extra wonderful. Reading Throw the Devil off the Train has left me with such a sweet, happy feeling. A 5 plus book for sure.

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Thank you to the author for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Author Interview & Book Giveaway/Penny Zeller/Kaydie

Today we welcome Penny Zeller.
Book giveaway is Kaydie. A fantastic book. Here is the link to my review http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/2011/05/kaydie-by-penny-zellera-review.html
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Tell us about Kaydie, the featured book.
Hi Wanda! Thank you for graciously hosting me on your blog. It’s great to be here!


Here is the blurb about Kaydie, the featured book:


For the first time in years, Kaydie Worthington Kraemer can breathe easily. Although she is still haunted by memories of her abusive husband, Darius, she takes comfort in knowing the man is dead. Staying with her sister McKenzie and brother–in–law, Zach Sawyer, at their ranch, Kaydie is still wary of men, especially now that she has another life inside of her to protect. As she looks forward to her baby's birth, she builds a protective wall around herself that won't be easy to tear down.


Ranch hand Jonah Dickenson views his boss, Zach, like a brother. He does not, however, envy Zach's new role as a husband. Deserted by his mother at a young age and forever despised and rejected by his own father, Jonah has few close relationships. But there's something about Kaydie that draws him to her and makes him question his decision to remain a bachelor.


When Cedric Van Aulst, an old friend of Kaydie's, comes to town, an unforeseen prospect of marriage arises. Cedric is someone Kaydie trusts. Will she settle for a safe union with him, or can she trust God to guard her heart and her life in the arms of Jonah?

Can you tell us how many books you have in print in the Christian market?
In September, I will have four books in print in the Christian market – McKenzie, Kaydie, Hailee, and 77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference. My three other books have been published by secular publishers.

Is there a particular book among those you've written that you would especially recommend to our readers? If so, why?
Wow, that’s a great question, Wanda! I don’t think there is a particular one because they all have different themes that I hope will inspire readers. McKenzie’s theme is about how God can and does change hearts; Kaydie is all about dependence on God in all situations; and Hailee’s theme is based on Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV, 1984).


The Christian fiction field has rapidly expanded over the past few years. What would you like to see happen in this field in the years to come?
 I am excited about how the Christian fiction field has rapidly expanded over the past few years. I would love to see it continue to expand and for authors, publishers, bookstores, churches, readers, and bloggers to continue to work together to spread the word about Christian fiction, and its ability to bring wholesome and God-honoring stories to a hurting world.

How can readers and fans encourage you as you pursue what is sometimes a challenging and solitary job?
 I think one of the main ways readers and fans can encourage authors is by sharing with us how our books have brought them closer to God or have impacted their lives in a positive way. Nice reviews on online sites and encouraging comments on our FB pages also make our day.

Many writers are also avid readers.
Do you have any favorite authors?
If so, could you name a few?
I enjoy everything from Beth Moore and Stormy O’Martian Bible studies to fiction from Sharlene MacLaren, Amanda Cabot, and Melinda Evaul.

If you could only take five books with you on a journey of ten years, which ones would you take?
This is a hard question! I would for sure take my Bible, a devotional book, a Bible study, and two Christian fiction romance books.

If you had 48 hours to hang out with any TWO people (besides Jesus), alive or dead in the history of the world who would you hang out with and what would you do?
I love spending time with my husband and kids, so that would be my first choice. As far as famous people of history, I would say Esther or John the Baptist of the Bible, and Helen Keller, Corrie Ten Boom, or Harriet Tubman. Sorry, Wanda! I can’t name just two!

What three things are you most thankful for in your life?
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for me, my family, and my health top the list.

What is the most fun thing you have ever done?
 Anything with my family would qualify as an answer to that question. We have shared some great times on camping trips, bike rides, miniature golfing, playing board games, and attending Christian concerts.

What are you writing now?
 I just finished the third book in the series, Hailee, which is scheduled for release in September. I'm now working on a second historical romance series that takes place in the Post-Civil War Era. I recently finished book one in the series and have started writing book two.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I love to connect with my readers at my website www.pennyzeller.com,
my blog www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com,
on Twitter at http://twitter.com/pennyzeller, and
on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Penny-A-Zeller/96391560959?ref=ts


I also have a book trailer for Kaydie that can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwihs6rsqDk
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Here is what you can do to win a copy of this fantastic book!

Leave a comment with your name and email address. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.
Here are the ways to get extra entries:
~Be or become a follower  +1
~Be or become an email subscriber +1
~Be or become a networked blog follower +1

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org.  ENTRY DEADLINE July 24, 2011

Happy 101 Award~ Thank you to Shonda

Copy the award image into a post.

List 10 things that make you happy.

1. The Father, Jesus the Son, the Holy Spirit

2. My sweet husband

3. My six sons, one daughter, two daughter-in-loves, one grandson

4. My precious Mama and Daddy

5. Reading and reviewing

6. The smell of lilacs

7. The smell of newborn babies

8. The smell after it rains

9. Friends through email and facebook

10. Visiting my family in WI

Tag 10 bloggers who brighten your day.

1. http://blybooks.blogspot.com/

2. http://laurafrantz.blogspot.com/

3. http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/

4. http://www.reviewsbymolly.com/

5. http://debracollins.blogspot.com/

6. http://photoblogbykaysway.blogspot.com/

7. http://pennyzeller.wordpress.com/

8. http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

9. http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

10. http://bustlesandspurs.blogspot.com/

Put in a link to their blogs.

Notify the award receivers.

Recipients should link back to the sender’s blog.

I got this award from Shonda at http://jsknowlton.blogspot.com/

BOOK GIVEAWAY- Canary Island Song- 2 copies-2 winners

Good Afternoon friends and followers,

I have a fantastic giveaway for you.

I will choose two people to win the great book by

Robin Jones Gunn Canary Island Song.

Here is my review link if you would like to see what I thought of Canary Island Song http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/2011/07/canary-island-song-by-robin-jones-gunna.html

and also a little about the book:

When Carolyn’s grown daughter tells her she needs to “get a life,” Carolyn decides it’s time to step out of her familiar routine as a single woman in San Francisco and escape to her mother’s home in the Canary Islands. Since Carolyn’s mother is celebrating her seventieth birthday, the timing of Carolyn’s visit makes for a perfect surprise.

The surprise, however, is on Carolyn when she sees Bryan Spencer, her high school summer love. It’s been seven years since Carolyn lost her husband, but ever since that tragic day, her life has grown smaller and closed in. The time has come for Carolyn to get her heart back. It takes the gentle affection of her mother and aunts, as well as the ministering beauty and song of the islands to draw Carolyn into the fullness of life. She is nudged along by a Flamenco dance lesson, a defining camel ride and the steady gaze of Bryan’s intense blue-gray eyes.

Is it too late for Carolyn to trust Bryan? Can Carolyn believe that Bryan has turned into something more than the wild beach boy who stole her kisses so many years ago on a balmy Canary night?

Carolyn is reminded that Christopher Columbus set sail from the Canary Islands in 1492 on his voyage to discover the New World. Is she ready to set sail from these same islands to discover her new life?

Robin Jones Gunn is a fantastic author!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leave a comment with your name and email address. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.

Here are the ways to get extra entries:

~Be or become a follower +1

~Be or become an email subscriber +1

~Be or become a networked blog follower +1

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. ENTRY DEADLINE JULY 22, 2011

Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me by Ian Morgan Cron*A Review

When I first discovered the grainy picture in my mother’s desk—me as a towheaded two year old sitting in what I remember was a salmon-orange-stained lifeboat—I was overwhelmed by the feeling that the boy in the boat was not waving and laughing at the person snapping the photo as much as he was frantically trying to get the attention of the man I am today. The boy was beckoning me to join him on a voyage through the harrowing straits of memory. He was gambling that if we survived the passage, we might discover an ocean where the past would become the wind at our back rather than a driving gale to the nose of our boat. This book is the record of that voyage


Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 7, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0849946107
ISBN-13: 978-0849946103
Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces

Ian Morgan Cron is an author, speaker, Episcopal priest, psychotherapist, and retreat guide.
To introduce others to St. Francis of Assisi, he authored Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim’s Tale. His literary debut received accolades from The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, Fr Richard Rohr, Phyllis Tickle, Marcus Borg, Brian McLaren, and artist Makoto Fujimura.
Thomas Nelson released Ian’s spiritual memoir Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A Memoir…Of Sorts in June 2011. Publishers Weekly described the book as, “Simultaneously redemptive and consoling with bright moments of humor…a story chock-full of sacredness and hope.”
The book was chosen as a featured title in the prestigious Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers program.
In addition to writing, facilitating retreats, and speaking around the country, Ian is an adjunct priest at Christ Episcopal Church in Greenwich, Connecticut where he curates the Conversations in Courage and Faith series (www.courageandfaith.org). He is also a student at Fordham University (The Jesuit University in New York) where he is completing his doctoral work in Christian spirituality.
Ian adores the Rolling Stone’s record Exile on Main Street, and the melody to Lulu’s 1967 hit song “To Sir, With Love” has been stuck in his head for more than thirty years. He can explain the former, but not the latter.
Ian divides his time between living in Tennessee and Vermont with his wife, and three children.
http://www.iancron.com/


MY REVIEW
Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me A memoir…of sorts by Ian Morgan Cron is one fantastic book. This is the second book by Ian and I think his best so far.
The story is mainly about Ian’s life and how he survived an alcoholic father who showed little if any love to him and also how he became the same person without realizing it.
This is an amazing story that held my attention through the whole book. It is a book that is full of despair, hopelessness, but also one of hope, peace and finally love.
When you grow up in a stable, Christian home you really don’t realize that so many children don’t have that privilege. Ian and his family didn’t really live, but survived life. He didn’t dare do anything to upset his father. All Ian wanted in his life growing up was love. That’s so true of everyone.
In this book you go with Ian from very early childhood until he got married, had three children and finally became a priest.
To me it was amazing that an alcoholic worked for the CIA, but Ian found out that alcoholics are good at lying and trying to cover up everything in their lives. So that would make him perfect.
This is a very interesting story and is easy to read. I really recommend it. You will get so much out of it, if not to help yourself, then to be a help to others. It is a book to keep and give to someone who may need a lift or hand when things are going bad. Great read.

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Thank you for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Billy Graham in Quotes by Franklin Graham with Donna Lee Toney* A Review

A note from Franklin Graham: "My father, Billy Graham, is known for speaking out about the one and only thing that matters in this world: the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He remembers the call of God seven decades ago to preach the Word of God to all those who would listen about salvation that comes only through Christ. He took this high calling with seriousness and boldness in obedience to God and once said, 'I will travel anywhere in the world to preach if there are no strings on what I am to say.'
"My father has always prayed that his words would reflect God’s standard of truth as the basis to claim, 'I have given them Your word' (John 17:14). In this book, I believe you will see that he has faithfully spoken God’s Word that quenches the thirst of those seeking to draw from the wellsprings of Life. It is highly meaningful to see these statements now collected in one volume."
Drawn from an unparelleled collection of both personal and published works, Billy Graham provides input on more than one hundred topics, such as suffering, joy, money, addictions, peace, and many more.

Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 19, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0849946492
ISBN-13: 978-0849946493
Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds



ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Franklin Graham
President and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, is also president and CEO of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The fourth of Billy and Ruth Bell Graham’s five children, Franklin is the author of the best-selling, autobiography Rebel with a Cause, All for Jesus, Living Beyond the Limits, The Name, and the children’s book, Miracle in a Shoebox.

Donna Lee Toney
A collegue of Franklin Graham for thirty years, has been involved in the ministries of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and in literary collaboration since 1982, most recently on the re-release of Storm Warning with Billy Graham.




MY REVIEW
Billy Graham is one of my most favorite evangelists. I’ve listened to him all of my life and to have a book of many, many quotes of his is just marvelous. In this 400 plus page book you will get to read Billy’s thoughts on all kind of subjects. They are things from abortion, Bible, church, death to suffering, truth, war, young people. Billy Graham preached for more than seventy years, so you know he has a lot of wisdom in this book.
In the back of the book in the note section Franklin Graham and Donna Lee Toney put in where each quote came from and the date of that service etc…
There are 107 sections in this book and each section has several quotes on each subject. It’s just amazing to me that all of the wisdom you will read in this one book.
On the front of the book is one of Billy Graham’s quotes that is beautiful, “When the gospel of Jesus Christ is presented with authority-quoting from the very word of God- He takes that message and drives it supernaturally into the human heart.” -Billy Graham
Here is another quote from Billy Graham that is oh so true, “The issue of abortion is not whether you have a right to terminate the life of a child… The real issue is whether or not you will insist on running your own life according to your own standards, or whether you will instead let God run your life.”
This is a book that you need to keep and read and re-read again and again. I would give this book more than five stars if it were possible.



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Disclosure of Material Connection: I receive books free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger program/BookSneeze. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express are my own. This is true of any book I review for any publisher or author; I will not review books where a positive review is required and I will always express my own opinions of each book received and read.

Canary Island Song by Robin Jones Gunn*A Review

When Carolyn’s grown daughter tells her she needs to “get a life,” Carolyn decides it’s time to step out of her familiar routine as a single woman in San Francisco and escape to her mother’s home in the Canary Islands. Since Carolyn’s mother is celebrating her seventieth birthday, the timing of Carolyn’s visit makes for a perfect surprise.
The surprise, however, is on Carolyn when she sees Bryan Spencer, her high school summer love. It’s been seven years since Carolyn lost her husband, but ever since that tragic day, her life has grown smaller and closed in. The time has come for Carolyn to get her heart back. It takes the gentle affection of her mother and aunts, as well as the ministering beauty and song of the islands to draw Carolyn into the fullness of life. She is nudged along by a Flamenco dance lesson, a defining camel ride and the steady gaze of Bryan’s intense blue-gray eyes.
Is it too late for Carolyn to trust Bryan? Can Carolyn believe that Bryan has turned into something more than the wild beach boy who stole her kisses so many years ago on a balmy Canary night?
Carolyn is reminded that Christopher Columbus set sail from the Canary Islands in 1492 on his voyage to discover the New World. Is she ready to set sail from these same islands to discover her new life?


Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Howard Books; Original edition (July 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416583416
ISBN-13: 978-1416583417
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces

Robin Jones Gunn was born in Wisconsin and lived on a dairy farm until her family moved to southern California when she was five years old. She grew up in Orange County and spent her summers at Newport Beach with friends from her church youth group. After attending Biola University and Capernwray Bible School in Austria, Robin and Ross were married and spent the next two decades working together in youth ministry.
It was the young teens at Robin’s church who challenged her to write stories for them. She hadn’t thought much about being a writer, but took their request to heart and set her alarm for 3am, three days a week. With two small children it was the only time she could find to write the first story about Christy Miller. After two years and ten rejections the novel Summer Promise was accepted for publication in 1988. Robin hasn’t stopped writing since. Over 4 million copies of her 75 books have sold and can be found in a dozen translations all over the world.

Robin and her husband now live in Hawai’i where Ross is a counselor and Robin continues to write to the sound of tropical birds chattering in the palm trees outside her window. Their children are grown but manage to come to the islands with their families every chance they get. Robin's awards include: three Christy awards for excellence in fiction, a Gold Medallion finalist, Mt. Hermon Pacesetter and the Mt. Hermon Writer of the Year award. Robin travels extensively and is a frequent key-note speaker at various events around the world. She serves on the Board of Directors for Media Associates International and Jerry Jenkin’s Christian Writer’s Guild.

Robin by the numbers:
- 25 years of writing for publication
- 4 million copies sold worldwide
- 70 books published
- 51 of those books are novels
- 32 adventure-filled years of marriage
- 3 grown children; a son, a daughter and a daughter-in-law
- 1 cuddly golden retriever named Hula

http://www.robingunn.com/

MY REVIEW
Another wonderful book by Robin Jones Gunn. I love books about mother/daughter relationships and Canary Island Song is just that with romances included.
Carolyn lives in the US, but after being widowed for seven years and different things happening in her life, Carolyn decides to visit her Mom, for her 70th birthday in the Canary Islands. There Carolyn is reunited with her old boyfriend from her teen years and learns some new things and has many adventures.
Carolyn and Bryan are so sweet in their friendship and the things they share. Carolyn was close to the Lord before her husband died and Bryan didn’t want anything to do with the Lord with his former girlfriend before she died. So after their partners died they each responded in a different way. Bryan loves the Lord dearly and Carolyn questions the Lord because her husband was taken. Will Carolyn come to see how much the Lord loves her and can Bryan be the one to show her?
I really love the warm, inviting feel of the Canary Islands I got from reading this book. It made me want to move to a place that has warm, breezes blowing by an ocean and experience the love of a large family and feel wanted and needed. When you read this book you will be swept away to an Island that is charming and full of peace.
I recommend Canary Island Song very much. A five star book for sure. I would love for all of you to enjoy this fantastic story that Robin so masterfully wrote with such descriptive words, that you can see the places in the story so clearly.

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Thanks to the Howard Books for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255