Nominated For The Liebster Award!!

Shannah, from Book Reviews by Shannah, nominated my blog for the Liebster Award! Thanks Shannah!! :)

The rules:
- Link back to the blogger that tagged you.
- Nominate ten others and answer the questions from the blogger who tagged you.
- Ask ten questions for the bloggers you nominate.
- Let your nominees know of their award.

My answers to Shannah's questions:

1. Who is your favorite author and why?

Oh! This is always such a hard question!! I can't list just one, but I'll stick to only listing seven of my favorite authors -- I could list at least twenty!

In no particular order:

• Robin Parrish ~ I've read all of his books (except for his story in the anthology, Intrigue) and they are all such fantastic and different reads. I've yet to be disappointed with one of his books. :)
• Steven James ~ His books (especially the Patrick Bowers Files) are SO good and suspenseful!
• Laura Frantz ~ Her books are some of the best historical ones I've read (especially Love's Reckoning, which is a favorite read of mine) and she's so sweet! 
• Brandilyn Collins ~ I've been reading her suspense books for years (before I even had a blog) and always enjoy them.
• Lisa T. Bergren ~ She is such a great writer and I've loved pretty much all of her books I've read (especially her River of Time and Grand Tour series)!
• Colleen Coble ~ Colleen has been one of my favorite authors for a long time. I've read a lot of her books and loved most of them.
• Dani Pettrey ~ Not only is Dani the author of one of my favorite romantic suspense series, The Alaskan Courage, she is also really nice and friendly. :)

2. What made you want to become a blogger?

Many things led to me starting a book blog, including the fact that I love to read. When I initially started it, I had hoped that one day I'd be able to get books for review. I never imagined all the things that would happen (including being able to interview some of my favorite authors, finding out about some fantastic books that I otherwise never would have heard of, and chatting with fellow book lovers) -- it's such a blessing!

3. What is your favorite book and why?

My current favorite fiction book is Corridor by Robin Parrish -- it's one of the few books I've actually reread. I can hardly wait for the sequel!

4. What would be your ideal vacation spot?

Colorado or Alaska. :)

5. If you  had to choose, what would you do: Read or Write?

Definitely read! 

6. What is your favorite spot to read?

If it's a hot summer day, the pool. Otherwise, my bed.

7. Which blogger has been your biggest inspiration?

Probably Casey from Writing for Christ. Her blog is one of the first book blogs I started reading and it's inspired me. :)

8. If you could choose any person in the world to spend the day with, who would it be?

I don't really know who I'd choose. 

9. What are your other hobbies (besides reading)?

I enjoy crocheting, bike riding, swimming, and playing "Just Dance" on the Wii (fun + exercise = great combination!).

10. What inspires you daily?

Hmm. It's the "daily" that makes this question hard to answer. A lot of things inspire me, but daily? I can't think of anything at the moment.

The ten bloggers I nominate:

1. Abbi ~ Christian Novels
2. Brooke ~ i blog 4 books
3. Casey ~ Writing For Christ
4. Charity ~ Austenitis
5. Crystal ~ Just Another Book Lovin' Girl
6. Julie ~ My Favorite Pastime
7. Kara ~ A BookLover's Heart
8. Katie ~ Legacy of a Writer
9. Megan ~ Isle of Books
10. Wendy ~ Wall-to-Wall Books

My questions:

I'm going to use some of Shannah's questions plus a few of mine own. :)

1. Who is your favorite author and why?
2. What made you want to become a blogger?
3. Is there a book you didn't think you'd like, but you ended up loving it?
4. What would be your ideal vacation spot?
5. How many books are on your TBR shelf?
6. Where is your favorite spot to read?
7. Which blogger has been your biggest inspiration?
8. Do you prefer stand-alone novels or series?
9. What are your other hobbies (besides reading)?

10. What's one of your biggest book pet peeves?

Even if I didn't nominate your blog, feel free to answer to the questions in a comment below -- I'd love to read your answers too! :)

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Announcing the FALL INTO LOVE ultimate giveaway!

Announcing the FALL INTO LOVE ultimate giveaway!

Join us as award-winning authors Tracie Peterson, Jody Hedlund, Nancy Mehl, Melissa Tagg, and Jen Turano take us on a journey for love in their upcoming novels. To celebrate the September/October book releases, we're hosting FIVE incredible giveaways with ONE fantastic grand prize drawing.  Enter all five contests and receive FIVE entries into the grand prize drawing with additional chances to enter the FALL INTO LOVE ultimate giveaway throughout the month of September!

The Prizes:

ONE GRAND PRIZE winner will receive the FALL INTO LOVE prize package - a $500 value! - containing everything you need to snuggle up with a great book...


• A 16GB Kindle Fire HD for all the books you want, right at your fingertips
• Fall into love as you fall into this beautiful free-standing wooden hammock
• A Sherpa & Micromink cream throw to keep you warm as the weather turns chilly
• A selection of gourmet caramel apples
• A copy of each novel represented (Unforeseeable by Nancy Mehl, Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund, A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano, The Miner's Lady by Tracie Peterson, and Made to Last by Melissa Tagg).


FIVE INDIVIDUAL PRIZE PACKAGES!   Fall into love with these beautiful stories from 5 amazing authors, and enter each contest for your chance to take home a meaningful part of their story.  To learn more about each novel and to enter visit www.FallIntoLoveContest.com.

1) The Miner's Lady:   From award winning author Tracie Peterson, comes a beautiful story rich with the comfort of good food, the love of family, and the struggle for faith and forgiveness. Have a seat in Nonni's Italian kitchen with a basket of cultural delicacies and experience both the flavor and heart of Italian America with The Miner's Lady Giveaway!   ENTER HERE…

AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 1st!

2) Unforeseeable:   Settle into your favorite reading chair with author Nancy Mehl's delicious story of intrigue, danger, and suspense, all set against the serene setting of the small Mennonite town of Kingdom. Enter the Unforeseeable Giveaway to bring the delicious tastes of Mennonite life right into your home…    ENTER HERE…

AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 1st!

3) Made To Last:   From author Melissa Tag comes the story of Miranda Woodruff, star of a home-building television show who apparently has it all, until it all threatens to fall apart. Read, laugh, and enjoy the hilarious misadventures of a heroine with a tremendous amount of skill, a lot to lose, and even more to discover about her own heart. As part of the Made to Last Giveaway, experience the joy of having the right tools, the right guides, and something beautiful to reward yourself with on a job well done.   ENTER HERE…

AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 15th!

4) Rebellious Heart:   From Best selling author Jody Hedlund, Rebellious Heart brings the history of 1763 Massachusetts to life with the story of socialite Susanna Smith and poor country lawyer Ben Ross. When Susanna's decision to help an innocent woman no matter the cost crosses with Ben's growing disillusionment with their British rulers, the two find themselves bound together in what quickly becomes a very dangerous fight for justice. Bring the fight for justice and liberty to your home with this meaningful prize package.   ENTER HERE…

AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 15th!

5) A Talent for Trouble:  Set in the early 1900's, Jen Turano's spirited new book,  A Talent for Trouble, will leave you feeling like you have lived in the Victorian era of New York City, strolled through Central Park with your best hat on, and had a hilarious and unpredictable adventure with a new friend. With the prize package for A Talent for Trouble you can continue the adventure and bring some of Felicia's journey home with you.   ENTER HERE…

AVAILABLE OCTOBER 1st!

How to Enter:

Click on one of the banners or visit www.FallIntoLoveContest.com to submit your information. Each week during the five-week contest, we will reveal a new method of entering and increasing your chances for the grand prize.

Week 1: Enter one or all of the individual novel giveaways. For every individual giveaway you enter, you gain one entry into the grand prize drawing. (Possible grand prize entries: 5)

Week 2: Like one or all authors on Facebook. Every author liked gains you one entry into the grand prize. (Possible grand prize entries: 5)

Week 3: Refer a friend. One grand prize entry awarded per friend, per contest. (Possible grand prize entries: 5)

Week 4: Submit a review of any book by one (or all) of the five featured authors. 3 entries awarded per review per author (limit one per author). (Possible grand prize entries: 15) **

Week 5: Pin a picture of you with one of the 5 featured novels. One grand prize entry awarded per picture per novel. (Possible grand prize entries: 5)

To enter via the methods available week 2-5, visit each individual giveaway and submit your information through the entry form. Follow the prompts for completing your bonus entries.

**Reviews can be submitted to Amazon, Goodreads, or your own blog. To enter the contest via this method, paste a URL to the review in the entry form where indicated. Entries will be verified before final grand prize drawing.

More Information:

For details about the contest, prize packages, entry methods, or contest rules, visit www.FallIntoLoveContest.com.

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Monthly Reflections (#20) ~ August

<a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa452/Love-Being-Vegan/MonthlyReflections.jpg" /></a> <br />

Monthly Reflections, where we take the time to reflect on the previous month.

My goals for August were...

☑ To read 10 books, including:
1 nonfiction

In August I...

Read 18 books!

Books read:

Favorite Read This Month:

My favorite read this month was The Girl Who Was Supposed To Die. It was just so good! :)

Reviews:

Talon by Ronie Kendig

Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter

Breathe by Lisa T. Bergren

The Remains by Vincent Zandri

Merlin's Blade by Robert Treskillard

The Icing on the Cake by Janice Thompson

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

Bleeding Heart by Amber Stokes

Strangers in the Night by Patricia H. Rushford

Picture Perfect by Janice Thompson
The Sacred Search by Gary Thomas

Interviews & Special Posts:


Interview: Caitlyn Santi


Interview: Siri Mitchell


Interview: Sarah E. Ladd

My thoughts on August:

I read a lot more books in August than I had anticipated and one of the main reasons for that was the Bout of Books read-a-thon! It definitely pushed me to read, read, read!

Looking ahead:

My goal for September:

Read 12 books

If you want to do your own Monthly Reflections, feel free to grab the button and post about it on your blog, then leave a comment with the URL - otherwise, please share your thoughts in a comment!

Now it's your turn! What did you accomplish in August, what do you hope to accomplish in September?

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Review: The Sacred Search by Gary Thomas

The Sacred Search by Gary Thomas

David C. Cook / 2013

Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

What if you stopped looking for a “soul mate” and started looking for a “sole mate”—someone who will live out with you the great purpose of God? What if dating isn’t about finding “the one” but making a wise choice so you can better serve the One who loves you most? What if God didn’t design relationships to make you happy but to make you holy?

In The Sacred Search, Gary Thomas will transform the way you look at romantic relationships. Whether you are single, dating, or engaged, Gary’s unique perspective on dating will prepare you for a satisfying, spiritually enriching marriage even before you walk down the aisle. As Gary reminds us, a good marriage is not something you find—it’s something you make.

My rating:

My thoughts:

The Sacred Search was an  interesting and thought-provoking read. It challenges the idea of people having a "soul mate" and I don't think I've ever read a book quite like it before.

I loved the questionnaire-type chapters - those were probably my favorite. I definitely think I'll be rereading those later on. There were times The Sacred Search got a little too factual/statistical, which made it hard to read, but it was also helpful having the information.

At times, The Sacred Search was very blunt, so I only recommend this book to mature adults. All in all, The Sacred Search was a good read and I'm glad I read it.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

Was my review helpful? If so, please click "yes" on Amazon. Thank you!

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