'Tis The Season...

For many of us Winter is already here...

We rarely see snow on the Pacific NW coast but it is snowing heavily in the Mountains as we look from our windows...

Days are much shorter and lanterns are lit...

Greens are collected to decorate for the Season...

We decorate our tree and share blessings with others...

(Art by Carl Larsson)

We recount well loved stories we grew up with...

(Tomte legend)

(graphic by creativelydifferentblinds.com)

And we write greetings cards to send to loved ones and friends afar...

In the hustle and bustle, remember the men and women who are so far from home and would love to hear from you!

May No Soldier Go Unloved!

There are many sites to chose from if you have no soldier to write to but here are two I like:

Soldiers Angels

Any Soldier.com

A Day Which Will Live in Infamy...

(7 Decembre 1941, Radio Program Notes Announcement of Pearl Harbor's attack)

'On 7 Decembre , 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by Naval and Air forces of the Empire of Japan. 


The attack on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
The Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya... Hong Kong... Guam... Philippine Islands... Wake Island and Midway Island... 


With confidence in our Armed Forces-with the unbounding determination of the People-we will gain the inevitable triumph-so help us God...' 

By the end of the day at least 2402 lives were lost...

Pearl Harbor...7 Decembre 1941...
Never forget their sacrifices...

Sources:

Pearl Harbor Casualties

President F. D. Roosevelt Speech

Guess Who Is Coming To Town...

I will give you one guess...

If we have been very good he might just bring a sweet or two...

It brings back a lot of souvenirs...

Ah, to be a child again...

Gelukkig SinterKlaas Dag!
Happy St Nicolas' Day!

(Living on the Pacific North West Coast means he comes just a bit later...I will share with readers what he brought this year later on...)

Resurrect by David E. Stevens, Book review & Giveaway

Publisher: Monarch Books

ISBN-13: 978-0857212498

Synopsis:

Book 1 in the Resurrect Trilogy.

Preventing his burning fighter from crashing into a neighborhood, Navy Commander Josh Logan ejects ... too late.
Critically injured, he's offered a new life and mission exploit highly classified military technology to stop a global cataclysm. The price? He'll be dead to everyone he knows.
He wakes in a city hospital with a genetically enhanced body and no identity. With the help of his brilliant, Neuro ICU nurse, and guided by nothing but a voice, he must infiltrate the military-industrial complex to develop the world's most powerful weapon ... to protect humanity?

My thoughts:

Action packed 'Resurrect' is probably the finest Christian Science Fiction book I have read so far with David E. Stevens using his extensive military background to draw you in the suspense and leaving you wanting for more! (And for once, the cover in right on...

Following his jet fighter crash Commander Josh Logan wakes up one year later with no knowledge of the previous year's events. Josh is no Christian but his subs conscience reveals a voice with a powerful message and what follows this entity's revelation is an amazing study of human emotions, love, compassion and determination to do the impossible. 
You might be tempted to call it a cliff hanger as David E. Stevens' first novel is hard to put down!

To engage the reader Stevens uses just the perfect blend of interesting personalities, intricate interactions and lively dialogues. 
Book 1 in the Resurrect Trilogy is a novel you should not rush however allowing for the discovery of each event leading to its ultimate climax including a bit of romance. Enter Nurse Elizabeth who attends Josh during his recovery and becomes part of a team of scientists and military specialists with a sole mission, that of saving the world at any cost.
Who would think of a nurse with the ability of breaking into sophisticated computer systems?  
There! Just enough information for lady readers to know there is a perfect balance in this plot allowing for interest by both sex! 

A great thriller for anyone on your Christmas list!

5 Stars for gripping plot and technical skills!


About the Author:

Commander David E Stevens, a Navy Commander and F-18 pilot, is a self-professed adrenaline junky who loves science and technology. He holds engineering degrees from Cornell and The University of Michigan, with graduate work in human factors and astrophysics. During the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, Dave served as the Navy Strike Operations Officer for the Persian Gulf. He also test-piloted new fighters, received an aviation patent, and with a Top Secret clearance, led classified defense programs.

Stevens has penned the only science based apocalyptic metaphysical techno thriller in existence by creating a story that takes the reader on an adventure that unfortunately could become only too real.

Find out more about David E. at http://www.resurrecttrilogy.com/.

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE FOR ADDITIONAL REVIEWS (HERE) 

To celebrate the release of Resurrect, David E. Stevens has teamed up with his publisher, Kregel Publications, for a Kindle Fire Giveaway and Facebook Author Chat Party {12/4}.

One "thrilling" winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Resurrect by David E. Stevens

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 3rd. Winner will be announced at the "Resurrect" Author Chat Facebook Party on 12/4. Connect with David, get a sneak peek of the next book in the Resurrect Trilogy, try your hand at the trivia contest, and win some great prizes—gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Resurrect and join David on the evening of December 4th for a chance to connect with David and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. 

Hope to see you on the 4th (That's TODAY!)

 

I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

First Sunday Of The Advent

First Sunday of Advent

The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time,
I will raise up for David a just shoot ;
he shall do what is right and just in the land.
In those days Judah shall be safe
and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;
this is what they shall call her:
"The LORD our justice."

(Jer 33: 14-16)


To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Oliver Twist Radio Theatre by Focus On The Family, Review

Publisher: Tyndale House Books Audio CD/DVD

ISBN-13: 978-1589977136

Audio CD/DVD Information and synopsis:


An audio drama of the highest quality, Oliver Twist was recorded on location in London with an award-winning cast. This classic story will steal your heart as the timeless characters are brought to life in Focus on the Family Radio Theatre’s edition of Charles Dickens’ beloved tale. This amazing audio production comes on five CDs, with a bonus DVD that includes behind-the-scenes production footage and the documentary Modern Day Oliver. Purchase of the product also benefits Focus’s “Wait No More” adoption initiative.

With cinema-quality sound and an original soundtrack, this audio drama tells the story of a young orphan sent from a child farm to begin life in a workhouse. After committing the unpardonable offense of asking for more food, Oliver is sent off to apprentice with a coffin-maker whose wife mistreats him. He runs away to London, where he meets the Artful Dodger and Fagin, who trains kids to be pickpockets. Despite his many trials and hardships, he finally gets his happy ending, bringing hope for redemption to all around him.

My thoughts:

Most of us have read at one time or another (or seen a dramatization of) Oliver Twist written by Charles Dickens and first published in 1838. 
This enduring story of an orphan who survived the cruel environment he was thrown in at birth through no fault of his own remains a classic to this day.
19th Century England like many other nations had its share of the poorest of the populace and Charles Dickens predilection for revealing the truth about its misery rivals Emile Zola!

Oliver's story is as I have reminded readers well known but this finest audio presentation of Oliver Twist is certain to fascinate its audience anew.
The incredible cast assembled for this performance is outstanding and will delight your family this Holiday Season or any other time of the year. 
My family and I took our time listening to each individual CD, making it a special occasion each afternoon and looked forward to the next installment in the story as if to discover a whole new Oliver Twist. We have decided to make it a tradition for the holidays in fact!

Focus on the Family is well known for the quality of its offerings and this particular one was released by Tyndale House Publishers. The quality of both the CD's and the amazing message which follows on the accompanying DVD titled 'The Modern Olivers' will capture your heart.

CD's suitable for 12 years old and on. 
DVD recommend for mature audience only.

5 Stars as there is no higher rating but worth much, much more!

Be sure to check out Focus on the Family website for behind the scenes making of the dramatization and for additional information (HERE) and even colouring pages ready for download!

I received this CD/DVD free from TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig, Book review

 

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

ISBN-13: 978-0764210396

Synopsis:

Lured by a handful of scribbled words across a faded letter, Cara Hamilton sets off from 1896 Ireland on a quest to find the brother she'd thought dead. Her search lands her in America, amidst a houseful of strangers and one man who claims to be a friend--Rourke Walsh.

Despite her brother's warning, Cara decides to trust Rourke and reveals the truth about her purpose in America. But he is not who he claims to be, and as rumors begin to circulate about an underground group of dangerous revolutionaries, Cara's desperation grows. Her questions lead her ever closer to her brother, but they also bring her closer to destruction as Rourke's true intentions come to light.

My thoughts:


'No Safe Harbor' is Book 1 in the Edge of Freedom series and the winsome promise of much more to come! 
Elizabeth Ludwig writes clearly after much research and for anyone who likes History, and loves a good story, a delight to uncover.

If the resume is enticing with its intrigues and mysterious circumstances, just wait until you meet young Cara as the author introduces her and the desperation which takes her an ocean away from her cherished Emerald island. There is no doubt that our young protagonist is a courageous lass who upon leaving her homeland thinks she will soon be back with her twin brother in tow. 
Her sailing experience appears to be remarkably easy thanks to the aid of a benevolent passenger. Her arrival at Ellis Island is also without incident, even curiously so since  young women at the time did not travel alone. 

We find Cara Hamilton meeting her new roommates at a New York Boardinghouse and landing work immediately.
Conscious of her brother's urgent admonishment she is at first reticent about divulging her true reasons for coming to America but when she finally does, she confides in the one man she aught not to...Rourke Walsh is not all that he appears to be.

With a sure pen (key board) Elizabeth Ludwig introduced this reader to the wharfs of New York city and its tenements along with the work of the Fenians, a political group active even in America at the turn of the century with strong ties to their homeland.
Cara and her suitor Rourke will have many obstacles to overcome if they wish to see where their feelings leads them and find the whereabouts of Cara's brother, Eoghan.

I found the story enthralling and will be looking forward to Book 2 in the series.

5 Stars for good entertainment!

(New York Harborview 1897)

Additional Reviews for this Blog Tour available on link below:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/ELudwig


About the Author:

Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author and an accomplished speaker and teacher. Her historical novel Love Finds You in Calico, California earned four stars from Romantic Times. She is the owner and editor of the popular literary blog The Borrowed Book.

For more information on this author including Deleted Scenes,  Hometown Mysteries and Research, check her website (HERE)


Elizabeth Ludwig is celebrating her new book with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and connecting with readers at a Facebook Author Chat party on 12/6.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 5th. Winner will be announced at the "No Safe Harbor" Author Chat Facebook Party on 12/6. Connect with Elizabeth, get a sneak peek of the next book in the Edge of Freedom series, try your hand at the trivia contest, and win some great prizes—gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of No Safe Harbor and join Elizabeth on the evening of the December 6th for a chance to connect with her and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 6th!

I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.