I am now a stay at home mom with a soon to be 9 year old son who is in Grade 3. I love to read and I always try to squeeze in as much reading as possible.
August 26th 2008 was the day I started to blog. I was always a reader on that one day in August I was bored and was looking around online when I have to admit I stumbled into blogging. Which BTW I am happy I did.
From that day I discovered Library Thing (montrealgirl2005 is me) and shortly after being on Library Thing I got a comments from two local bloggersTina and then Avis suggesting a meet up. Library Thing was where I was introduced to Donna. We all managed to agree on a date to meet up in October 2008.
Before officially meeting Avis and Tina in October, Donna and I agreed to meet for lunch at The Den and that day was September 24/08. It was funny when we were having lunch I kept having this feeling I had seen Donna somewhere before so we were thinking of places where we would have seen each other.
Finally I think we both realized it was at the library for a author visit with Heather O'Neil (Lullabies for Little Criminals) I had asked Donna to take my picture with Heather. Below are the two pictures Donna took and by the way it was Oct 2007.
When we started meeting for lunch it was every two weeks and then within a few months it turned into a weekly Friday Lunch Date.
I think up until May we were pretty regular with our Friday lunch dates until BEA. That was a long two weeks and we have even said that when a week is missed its long. Its a great way to break up the week and something to look forward too at the end of a week.
Our lunch dates are always spent talking about what books we got in the mail during the week, what books we are reading, upcoming author meet ups and if we are going to go, its basically whatever comes up does.
This summer The Den was closed so we brought our lunch dates to Donna's house and then mine. I got to see Donna's book collection (Donna is very organized with her books and I learned a few things) and she got to see my books and my basket system.
The Den is a great place to have lunch and it seems that our orders are pretty regular that Nina (the waitress) knows what we want almost as soon as we walk in the door (soup, coffee and chicken wrap with salad) a few times I have ordered something different but always go back to the usual.
Also The Den makes their own breads, desserts etc right on the premise. This bread is to die for its so good. Everything is fresh baked.
Anyway so its been a year since I have met and gotten to know Donna and what a year it has been. Thanks Donna for being a friend and to many more years of friendship.
You can read Donna's post here about what she had to say about it all.
Thank you to Audra at B&B Media group for sending me this book and to First Wild Card Tours for allowing me to be a part of the tour yesterday.
This is the fourth and final book in the 86 Bloomberg Place series by Melody Carlson.
This was my favorite quote in the book and laughed when I read it:
It's always happy hour somewhere.
That was on page 30. Kendall had just found out her parents were going to come and help with the wedding and she was asking if her mother was drinking.
(I had to insert this picture I took when I was in Lake George this summer. So now I know its true LOL.)
Anyways, if you read her previous three books in 86 Bloomberg Place then you are familiar with the characters in the book. If this is the first time you are hearing about this series then please let me introduce you to Megan, Anna. Kendall and Lelani. They are all living at 86 Bloomberg Place in Kendall's grandmother's town house.
Lelani has just returned from Maui with her daughter Emma and she is excited to marry Gil and live happily ever after. We all that is impossible and there is going to be twist and turns to test the faith of these two people. Lelani is hoping to have a simple wedding but she soon realizes that is next to impossible when choosing a date, that will fit into her friends calendar because on the weekend she chooses there is a bar mitzvah, and two other weddings, to her soon to me Latin mother in law who wants this to be the wedding of the century, to Lelani reaching out to her mother and then to Lelani suddenly hearing from Emma's father. Will Lelani have the dream wedding she is hoping for or will be it out of her control?
Megan is dating Marcus. Marcus has told Megan that he wants to go on a mission to Africa to try and help them. When he announces suddenly that he is all set to go before all the festivities, Megan begins to question her relationship with Marcus. While he is in Africa she doesn't hear from him apart from a letter the church receives. Then the night before his sister's wedding Marcus calls Megan to tell her he will be home for the wedding. Why didn't Marcus write to Megan while he was in Africa?
Anna is Gil's sister and she is helping plan and organize the wedding. Anna is acting as referee between Lelani and her mother. You can slowly see Anna coming apart. She is questioning her job and her relationship with Edmond when a new intern is brought in and flirts with Edmond. She feels as though she is loosing Edmond until he shocks her. He has a little help from one of her roommates.
Finally Kendall is pregnant and in love. While she was in Maui (previous book) she meets Killiki and falls in love with him. From my understanding in previous books I guess Kendall had an affair with a well known married man and is carrying his baby. Kendall is young, care free and doesn't have a care in the world or responsibility until she found out she was pregnant and fell in love. Killiki surprises Kendall. Kendall's world is about to get turned upside down when her parents come to visit and her grandmother dies. Her grandmother has a surprise that no one was really expecting. That shocks Kendall and her family.
First off if you are new to this series then I suggest you don't read this before reading the previous three books. While I was reading it I have to admit I felt like I was missing so much of the story. I have to say that I didn't fully enjoy the book as much as I would have liked too. None the less it was a good book. I plan on looking for the previous three books to read.
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Melody Carlson has published more than one hundred books for adults, children, and teens, with many on best-seller lists. Several books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards, including the Gold Medallion and the RITA Award. She and her husband live in the Cascade Mountains in Oregon and have two grown sons.
List Price: $14.99 Format: Paperback Number of Pages: 320 Vendor: David C. Cook (2009) ISBN: 1589191080 ISBN-13: 9781589191082
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Megan Abernathy
“Okay, then, how does the second Saturday in June look?” Anna asked her housemates.
Megan frowned down at her date book spread open on the dining room table. She and Anna had been trying to nail a date for Lelani and Gil's wedding. Megan had already been the spoiler of the first weekend of June, but she'd already promised her mom that she'd go to a family reunion in Washington. Now it seemed she was about to mess things up again. “I'm sorry,” she said, “but I promised Marcus I'd go to his sister's wedding. It's been scheduled for almost a year now, and it's the second Saturday too. But maybe I can get out of it.”
Lelani just shook her head as she quietly rocked Emma in her arms, pacing back and forth between the living room and dining room. The baby was teething and fussy and overdue for her afternoon nap. Megan wasn't sure if Lelani's frustrated expression was a result of wedding planning or her baby's mood.
“Is it possible you could do both weddings in one day?” Anna asked Megan.
“That might work.” Megan picked up her datebook and followed Lelani into the living room, where she continued to rock Emma.
“Or we could look at the third weekend in June,” Anna called from the dining room.
“Shhh.” Megan held a forefinger over her lips to signal Anna that Emma was finally about to nod off. Megan waited and watched as Emma's eyes fluttered closed and Lelani gently eased the limp baby down into the playpen set up in a corner of the living room. Lelani pushed a dark lock of hair away from Emma's forehead, tucked a fuzzy pink blanket over her, then finally stood up straight and sighed.
“Looks like she's down for the count,” Megan whispered.
Lelani nodded. “Now, where were we with dates?”
“If you still want to go with the second Saturday,” Megan spoke quietly, “Anna just suggested that it might be possible for me to attend two weddings in one day.”
“That's a lot to ask of you,” Lelani said as they returned to the dining room, where Anna and Kendall were waiting expectantly with the calendar in the middle of the table and opened to June.
Megan shrugged as she pulled out a chair. “It's your wedding, Lelani. You should have it the way you want it. I just want to help.”
Anna pointed to the second Saturday. “Okay, this is the date in question. Is it doable or not?”
Lelani sat down and sighed. “I'm willing to schedule my wedding so that it's not a conflict with the other one. I mean, if it can even be done. Mostly I just wanted to wait until I finished spring term.”
“What time is Marcus's sister's wedding?” asked Anna.
“I'm not positive, but I think he said it was in the evening.” She reached for her phone.
“And you want a sunset wedding,” Kendall reminded Lelani.
“That's true.” Anna nodded.
“But I also want Megan to be there,” Lelani pointed out.
“That would be helpful, since she's your maid of honor,” said Anna.
Megan tried not to bristle at the tone of Anna's voice. She knew that Anna had been put a little out of sorts by Lelani's choice--especially considering that Anna was the sister of the groom--but to be fair, Megan was a lot closer to Lelani than Anna was. And at least they were all going to be in the wedding.
“Let me ask Marcus about the time,” Megan said as she pressed his speed-dial number and waited. “Hey, Marcus,” she said when he finally answered. “We're having a scheduling problem here. Do you know what time Hannah's wedding is going to be?”
“In the evening, I think,” Marcus said. “Do you need the exact time?”
“No, that's good enough.” Megan gave Lelani a disappointed look. “I'll talk to you later, okay?”
“You're not thinking of bailing on me, are you?” He sounded genuinely worried.
“No, but we're trying to pin down a time and date for Lelani.”
“It's just that I really want my family to meet you, Megan. I mean all of my family. And I want you to meet them too.”
“I know, and I plan to go with you.”
“Thanks. So, I'll see you around six thirty tonight?”
“That's right.” Megan told him good-bye, then turned to Lelani with a sigh. “I'm sorry,” she told her. “That wedding's at night too. Maybe I should blow off my family reunion so that you--”
“No.” Anna pointed to the calendar. “I just realized that the first Saturday in June is also my mother's birthday.”
“So?” Kendall shrugged. “What's wrong with that?”
Megan laughed. “Think about it, Kendall, how would you like to share your wedding anniversary with your mother-in-law's birthday?”
Kendall grinned. “Oh, yeah. Maybe not.”
“How about a Sunday wedding?” suggested Megan.
“Sunday?” Lelani's brow creased slightly as she weighed this.
“Sunday might make it easier to book the location,” Kendall said. “I mean, since most weddings are usually on Saturdays, and June is a pretty busy wedding month.”
“That's true,” agreed Megan.
“And you gotta admit that this is short notice for planning a wedding,” added Kendall. “Some people say you should start planning your wedding a whole year ahead of time.”
“Marcus's sister has been planning her wedding for more than a year,” Megan admitted. “Marcus says that Hannah is going to be a candidate for the Bridezillas show if she doesn't lighten up.”
They all laughed.
“Well, there's no way Gil and I are going to spend a year planning a wedding.” Lelani shook her head. “That's fine for some people, but we're more interested in our marriage than we are in our wedding.”
“I hear you.” Kendall laughed and patted her slightly rounded belly. She was in her fifth month of the pregnancy. They all knew that she and her Maui man, Killiki, were corresponding regularly, but despite Kendall's high hopes there'd been no proposal.
“I really don't see why it should take a year to plan a wedding,” Megan admitted. “I think that's just the wedding industry's way of lining their pockets.”
“So how much planning time do you have now anyway?” Kendall asked Lelani. “Like three months?”
“Not even.” Lelani flipped the calendar pages back. “It's barely two now.”
“Which is why we need to nail this date today,” Megan said. “Even though it's a small wedding--”
“And that remains to be seen,” Anna reminded her. “My mother's list keeps growing and growing and growing.”
“I still think it might be easier to just elope,” Lelani reminded them. “I told Gil that I wouldn't have a problem with that at all.”
“Yes, that would be brilliant.” Anna firmly shook her head. “You can just imagine how absolutely thrilled Mom would be about that little idea.”
Lelani smiled. “I actually thought she'd be relieved.”
“That might've been true a few months ago. But Mom's changing.” Anna poked Lelani in the arm. “In fact, I'm starting to feel jealous. I think she likes you better than me now.”
Lelani giggled. “In your dreams, Anna. Your mother just puts up with me so she can have access to Emma.”
They all laughed about that. Everyone knew that Mrs. Mendez was crazy about her soon-to-be granddaughter. Already she'd bought Emma all kinds of clothes and toys and seemed totally intent on spoiling the child rotten.
“Speaking of Emma”--Kendall shook her finger--“Mrs. Mendez is certain that she's supposed to have her on Monday. But I thought it was my day.”
“I'm not sure,” Lelani admitted. “But I'll call and find out.”
“And while you've got Granny on the line,” continued Kendall, “tell her that I do know how to change diapers properly. One more diaper lecture and I might just tape a Pamper over that big mouth of hers. Sheesh!”
They all laughed again. Since coming home from Maui, Kendall had been complaining about how Mrs. Mendez always seemed to find fault with Kendall's childcare abilities. In fact, Mrs. Mendez had spent the first week “teaching” Kendall the “proper” way to do almost everything.
To be fair, Megan didn't blame the older woman. Megan had been a little worried about Kendall too. But to everyone's surprise, Kendall turned out to be rather maternal. Whether it had to do with her own pregnancy or a hidden talent, Megan couldn't decide, but Kendall's skill had been a huge relief.
“Now, back to the wedding date,” said Lelani.
“Yes,” agreed Megan. “What about earlier on Saturday?”
“Oh, no,” Anna said. “I just remembered that I promised Edmond I'd go to his brother's bar mitzvah on that same day--I think it's in the morning.”
Lelani groaned.
“Edmond's brother?” Megan frowned. “I thought he was an only child. And since when is he Jewish?”
“Remember, his mom remarried,” Anna told her. “And Philip Goldstein, her new husband, is Jewish, and he has a son named Ben whose bar mitzvah is that Saturday.” She sighed. “I'm sorry, Lelani.”
“So Saturday morning is kaput,” Megan said.
“And Lelani wanted a sunset wedding anyway,” Anna repeated.
“So why can't you have a sunset wedding on Sunday?” Kendall suggested.
“That's an idea.” Megan turned back to Lelani. “What do you think?”
Lelani nodded. “I think that could work.”
“And here's another idea!” Anna exclaimed. “If the wedding was on Sunday night, you could probably have the reception in the restaurant afterward. I'm guessing it would be late by the time the wedding was over, and Sunday's not exactly a busy night.”
Lelani looked hopeful. “Do you think your parents would mind?”
“Mind? Are you kidding? That's what my mother lives for.”
“But we still don't have a place picked for the wedding,” Megan said.
“I have several outdoor locations in mind. I'll start checking on them tomorrow.”
“We'll have to pray that it doesn't rain.” Megan penned 'Lelani and Gil's Wedding' in her date book, then closed it.
“Should there be a backup plan?” asked Anna. “I'm sure my parents could have the wedding at their house.”
“Or here,” suggested Kendall. “You can use this house if you want.”
Anna frowned. “It's kind of small, don't you think?”
“I think it's sweet of Kendall to offer.” Lelani smiled at Kendall.
“I can imagine a bride coming down those stairs,” Kendall nodded toward the staircase. “I mean, if it was a small wedding.”
“I'll keep it in mind,” Lelani told her. “And your parents' house too.”
“It might be tricky getting a church reserved on a Sunday night,” Megan looked at the clock. “And speaking of that, I better get ready. Marcus is picking me up for the evening service in about fifteen minutes.” She turned back to Lelani. “Don't worry. I've got my to-do list and I'll start checking on some of this stuff tomorrow. My mom will want to help with the flowers.”
“And my aunt wants to make the cake,” Anna reminded them.
“Sounds like you're in good hands,” Kendall sad a bit wistfully. “I wonder how it would go if I was planning my wedding.”
“You'd be in good hands too,” Lelani assured her.
“Now, let's start going over that guest list,” Anna said as Megan stood up. “The sooner we get it finished, the less chance my mother will have of adding to it.” Megan was relieved that Anna had offered to handle the invitations. She could have them printed at the publishing company for a fraction of the price that a regular printer would charge, and hopefully she'd get them sent out in the next couple of weeks.
As Megan changed from her weekend sweats into something presentable, she wondered what would happen with Lelani's parents when it was time for the big event. Although her dad had promised to come and was already committed to paying Lelani's tuition to finish med school, Lelani's mom was still giving Lelani the cold shoulder. Make that the ice shoulder. For a woman who lived in the tropics, Mrs. Porter was about as chilly as they come. Still, Lelani had friends to lean on. Maybe that was better than family at times.
“Your prince is here,” Kendall called into Megan's room.
“Thanks.” Megan was looking for her other loafer and thinking it was time to organize her closet again. “Tell him I'm coming.”
When Megan came out, Marcus was in the dining room, chatting with her housemates like one of the family. He was teasing Anna for having her hair in curlers, then joking with Kendall about whether her Maui man had called her today.
“Not yet,” Kendall told him with a little frown. “But don't forget the time-zone thing. It's earlier there.”
“Speaking of time zones,” Lelani said to Marcus. “Did I hear you're actually thinking about going to Africa?”
Marcus grinned and nodded. “Yeah, Greg Mercer, this guy at our church, is trying to put together a mission trip to Zambia. I might go too.”
“Wow, that's a long ways away.” Kendall turned to Megan. “How do you feel about that?”
Megan shrugged as she pulled on her denim jacket. “I think it's cool.”
“Are you coming with us to church tonight, Kendall?” Marcus asked. “Greg is going to show a video about Zambia.”
“Sorry to miss that,” Kendall told him. “But Killiki is supposed to call.”
“Ready to roll?” Megan nodded up to the clock.
He grinned at her. “Yep.” But before they went out, he turned around. “That is, unless anyone else wants to come tonight.”
Lelani and Anna thanked him but said they had plans. Even so, Megan was glad he'd asked. It was nice when Kendall came with them occasionally. And Lelani had come once too. Really, it seemed that God was at work at 86 Bloomberg Place. Things had changed a lot since last fall.
“So are you nervous?” Marcus asked as he drove toward the city.
“Nervous?” Megan frowned. “About church?”
“No. The big interview.”
Megan slapped her forehead. “Wow, I temporarily forgot. We were so obsessed with Lelani's wedding today, trying to make lists, plan everything, and settle the date … I put the interview totally out of my mind.”
“Hopefully, it won't be out of your mind by Monday.”
“No, of course not.”
“So … are you nervous?”
Megan considered this. It would be her first interview for a teaching job. And it was a little unsettling. “The truth is, I don't think I have a chance at the job,” she admitted. “And, yes, I'm nervous. Thanks for reminding me.”
“Sorry. Why don't you think you'll get the job?”
“Because I don't have any actual teaching experience.” She wanted to add duh, but thought it sounded a little juvenile.
“Everyone has to start somewhere.”
“But starting in middle school, just a couple of months before the school year ends? Don't you think they'll want someone who knows what they're doing?”
“Unless they want someone who's enthusiastic and energetic and smart and creative and who likes kids and had lots of great new ideas and--”
“Wow, any chance you could do the interview in my place?”
“Cross-dress and pretend I'm you?”
She laughed. “Funny.”
“Just have confidence, Megan. Believe in yourself and make them believe too. You'd be great as a middle-school teacher.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“Because I remember middle school.”
“And?”
“And most of my teachers were old and dull and boring.”
“That's sad.”
“And I would've loved having someone like you for a teacher.”
“Really?”
He chuckled. “Yeah. If I was thirteen, I'd probably sit right in the front row and think about how hot you were, and then I'd start fantasizing about--”
“Marcus Barrett, you're pathetic.” Just the same, she laughed.
“What can I say? I'm just a normal, warm-blooded, American kid.”
“Give me a break!” She punched him in the arm.
“Is that your phone?” he asked as he was parking outside of the church.
“Oh, yeah, a good reminder to turn it off.” She pulled it out to see it was Kendall. Megan hoped nothing was wrong. “Hey, Kendall,” she said as Marcus set the parking brake. “What's up?”
“Guess what?” shrieked Kendall.
“I have no idea what, but it sounds like good news.” She stepped out of the car.
“Killiki just called.”
“That's nice.”
“And he asked me to marry him!”
Megan raised her eyebrows and looked at Marcus as he came around to meet her. “And you said yes?”
“Of course! Do you think I'm crazy?”
“No. Not at all. Congratulations, Kendall. I mean, I guess that's what you say.”
“So now we have two weddings to plan.”
Megan blinked. She walked with Marcus toward the church entry. “Oh, yeah, I guess we do.”
“And I'm getting married in June too!”
“That's great, Kendall. I'm really, really happy for you. And Killiki seems like a great guy.”
“He is! Anyway, we just looked at the calendar again. And we finally figured that I should just get married the same day as Lelani, only I'll get married in the morning. That way we'll all be able to go to both weddings.”
“Wow, the same day?”
“Otherwise, you'll be at your reunion or Marcus's sister's wedding. Or Anna will be at the bar mitzvah. Or Lelani and Gil will be on their honeymoon.”
“Oh, that's right.”
“And I want all of you there!”
“Yes, I suppose that makes sense.”
“It'll be busy, but fun.”
“Definitely.” Then Megan thanked Kendall for telling her, and they said good-bye. Megan closed her phone and just shook her head. “Wow.”
“Kendall's getting married?” asked Marcus as he held the church door open for her.
“Yes. Can you believe it?”
“Good for her.”
“And her wedding will be the same weekend as your sister's and the same day as Lelani's.”
Marcus held up three fingers and wore a perplexed expression. “Three weddings in one weekend? That's crazy.”
“Yep.” Megan nodded. “Three weddings and a bar mitzvah.”
“Huh?” Marcus looked confused, but they were in the sanctuary, and Megan knew she'd have to explain later.
In My Mailbox, hosted by Kristi and Mailbox Monday hosted by Marcia are weekly memes where you share the contents of your mailbox with your readers. You can check out their blogs to see what they and others got.
This is what found its way to my mailbox last week:
-Out Of The Shadows by Susan Lewis. This was a FaceBook win.
-The Host by Stephenie Meyer. This was a win from Twitter via Little Brown
-The Center of the Universe by Nancy Bachrach. This was from HulaMonkey on Twitter. Thank You HulaMonkey for the surprise gift.
-Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell. Thanks Danielle at Sourcebooks for sending me this book.
-Something Mis ing by Matthew Dicks. Thanks to Kathy for sending me this. It sounds really good.
-The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall. This is for a Random House Tour happening Oct 12 to 16.
-Confections of a Closet Master Baker by Gesine Bullock Prado. Thanks to Broadway Books for sending me this.
-Last Breath By Brandilyn & Amberly Collins. This is for the First Wild Card Tour
-Remember Me by Donald Soctomah & Jean Flahive and Illustrated by Mary Beth Owens. This was a contest win from Natasha. Bloggiesta Contests.
I have to admit Diana is new to me and I have never seen her blog before this email. I believe she has only been blogging since earlier this year. If you haven't already had the chance to look at her blog then I really suggest you should.
So the purpose of this tag means that I have to play tag by answering a few little interview questions and then I have to blog tag someone else! So, here are my answers and I guess I’m it!
But I am going to change this up a little instead of naming a blogger anyone who wants to take part your it and link back to me so that I know you are playing.
1. Which words do you use too much in your writing?
-"I love discovering..." I have noticed I have been using that alot lately.
2. Which words do you consider overused in stuff you read?
-Words such as In my opinion, I'd like, And really plus a few more that I can't seem to recall right now.
3. What are your other favorite blogs?
There are so many great blogs out there and its hard to pin point favorites so just take a look at my blog roll.
4. Name a favorite word:
"Inspire"
5. And a word you’re not so keen on:
My answer is the same as Diana's HERE in blogging. When you are reading a post on a blog and it tells you to CLICK HERE, HERE, CHECK HERE etc. I know I am bad for that but lately I have been trying to change that.
6. What would you like to improve about your writing and/or blog?
I would love to write better reviews and write more content on my blog.
7. What’s your writing ambition?
I would love my writting to be more smoothly and not have to find the words that fit what I am trying to say. Yet be simple and enjoyable.
As everyone knows that for the past few months I have been asking for three things lately: another bookcase, the chance to go to NY in May for BEA and a netbook. Well I think my lucky three's have finally come true. I had put it out there and I am happy to say I think it worked. Perhaps I should go and pick up a lotto ticket.
I got my book case from CSN stores to You can see it here. Funny enough when I was at Walmart this past week, I was looking around and saw a bookcase similar to the ones I have in my living room now on sale. I should have seen that one coming. Isn't it always the way though?
Then at the last local meet up we got to talking about BEA and NY and I figured before any further planning happened I better make sure I could go and I got the official okay. So I will be in NYC in May. Hope to meet some of my fave bloggers while I am there.
Then lastly, Thursday when I was at Walmart I saw a netbook on sale so after supper I managed to convince someone about getting one. So this is going to be basically a early birthday and xmas present we agreed on. Unfortunately when I went to Walmart that night they didn't any have more left so I ran to Best Buy and managed to find out and thankfully they had some.
So this is my brand new toy. Its an ASUS EeePC.
Its a cute and compact which will be travelling with me whenever I go away for a few days or while I am in NY in May.
I am still getting use to it and basically still playing around with it. It wasn't online when I took the picture because I have to get a router as my internet connection at home is a cable modem so anytime I want to use it online I have to unplug the cable from desktop, then reboot modem to plug in netbook. So its a complicated situation so until I get a router I will only being using it when I go to the library or at our next meet up.
The background picture on the netbook is called Autumn and it came with windows XP. I thought it was a great fall picture to use and the picture was taken in my dining room where I was using the netbook at the time.
I want to thank everyone who entered the following contests on my blog. I loved reading all your responses and discovering some new bloggers in the mix too.
Emails will be sent and as soon as I get mailing address I will sending them to the publisher who will ship the books out.
Jenny N & trishalynn0708
fredamans & Sheila Deeth
Jonita & DCMetroreader
Melissa & Myckyee
Thanks again everyone for taking part in another successful run of contests.
Blogs that receive the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers.
Instead of picking 8 bloggers I am letting anyone who reads my blog to take the award and link back to me.
Thanks to Jules at http://juliebooks.blogspot.com/ for honoring me with this award. If you haven't checked out Jules blog yet you should.
In My Mailbox and Mailbox Monday's are weekly meme's where you let your readers know what you got in your mailbox the previous week.
Kristi is the host of In My Mailbox and Marcia is the host of Mailbox Monday. You can see what they and others got by checking out their posts.
This is what came to my door this week:
Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms by Jane Doiron. (PUB DATE: August 2009) This is for an upcoming book tour. Looking forward to digging into this one, looks like alot of great recipes.
Is anyone else a part of this tour?
Medina Hill by Trilby Kent (PUB DATE: Oct 13th/2009). This is for an upcoming tour with Tundra Books. I am touring this book Nov 3rd.
From the list I got I see a few blogs that I visit on this tour too.
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake (PUB DATE: Feb 2010) This is for the B&N October First Look Book Club.
Don't you just love the cover for this one?
Is anyone else reading this book for B&N First Look?
The Library Dragon by Carmen Deedy & Illustrated by Michael P. White (PUB DATE: Oct 1994) This was a win from Twitter. Michael White was in the Peachtree offices and a rep for Peachtree had asked to name another book Michael illustrated and I said this one and I won it.
What to know a great thing about this book? Not only did Michael White sign it but so did Carmen sign it. :)
I also got Where the heart was by Glenn G. Boyer (PUB DATE: November 2009) and the bookcase which I am sure you already know about and read my review for it.
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Wanda E. Brunstetter is nationally recognized as an expert on the Amish community, and her book sales have topped the three million mark. Her books White Christmas Pie, A Sister’s Hope, and Allison’s Journey topped Publishers Weekly Paperback Religion Bestsellers lists in 2008. Her books have also received other honors, including the 2006 Reader’s Choice Award and the CBD Book of the Week. Brunstetter enjoys an uncommon kinship with the Amish and loves to visit their communities throughout the country.
List Price: $10.97 Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Barbour Books; 1 edition (September 1, 2009) Language: English ISBN-10: 1602600619 ISBN-13: 978-1602600614
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Prologue
Katie Miller’s stomach churned as she read the letter she’d just received from her cousin Loraine:
Dear Katie,
Wayne and I will be getting married the last Thursday of April. I’d like you to be one of my attendants.
Katie’s heart pounded. There was no way she could go to her cousin’s wedding, much less be one of her attendants.
“Who’s the letter from?” Katie’s grandmother asked, taking a seat on the porch swing beside Katie.
“Loraine. She’s getting married in April, and she wants me to be one of her attendants.” Katie almost choked on the words.
“That’s wunderbaar. I’m sure you’re looking forward to going.”
Katie shook her head. “I don’t want to go.”
“Think how disappointed Loraine would be if you weren’t at her wedding.”
Katie’s gaze dropped to the floor. “I can’t go back to Indiana, Grammy.”
“Loraine and Wayne have been through so much. Don’t you want to be there to share in their joy?”
Katie shivered despite the warm Florida breeze. If Timothy hadn’t been killed on their way to Hershey Park last fall, she’d be planning her own wedding right now.
“Katie, did you hear what I said?”
Katie nodded, hoping she wouldn’t give in to the tears pushing against her eyelids. “If I hadn’t freaked out about a bee in the van, Timothy, Paul, and Raymond would still be alive.” Katie drew in a shaky breath. “Jolene wouldn’t have lost her hearing, either, and Wayne would still have both of his legs.”
“You’re not to blame, Katie. It was an accident. It might have happened even if you hadn’t been afraid of the bee.” Grammy touched Katie’s arm. “You need to accept it and go on with your life.”
“I–I don’t know if I can.”
“Timothy wouldn’t want you to continue grieving for him. He wouldn’t want you to blame yourself for the accident.”
“You’ve said that before.”
“Then you ought to listen.” Grammy took hold of Katie’s hand. “Let’s go inside so you can write Loraine and let her know you’ll be at the wedding.”
“I–I’m afraid to go. The thought of traveling alone scares me. I don’t think I can deal with all the painful memories that are there.”
“Will you go to Loraine’s wedding if I go with you?”
“What about Grandpa? Would he go, too?”
Grammy shook her head. “He has things to do here.”
Katie couldn’t imagine what things Grandpa would have to do. He was retired and spent a good deal of his time at the beach.
“What about it, Katie?” Grammy asked. “Will you go to the wedding if I go along?”
Katie sat for several seconds, thinking things through. Finally, she gave a slow nod. It would be easier going back to Indiana with Grammy along, and as soon as the wedding was over, they’d come back here.
Chapter 1
“It sure is good to have you home,” Katie’s father said as they headed down the road in his buggy toward Uncle Amos and Aunt Priscilla’s house. He glanced over at Katie and smiled. “Your mamm said Loraine was real pleased when she got your letter saying you’d be one of her attendants.”
Katie clutched the folds in her dress as she stared out the window. She didn’t know why she felt so edgy. She hadn’t felt like this when she was in Florida. She’d been depressed after Timothy died, but not quivery inside the way she’d been since she’d climbed into Dad’s buggy. She was grateful they didn’t have far to go.
Dad motioned to what was left of the barn they were passing. “Take a look at the devastation from the tornado that hit this past winter. That terrible storm affected nearly everyone around these parts in some way or another.”
“No one was killed, though, right?”
“No, but some were injured, and the damage was great. Many, like Wayne’s folks, lost their homes, barns, and shops. It’s a good thing the house Wayne started building before he lost his leg didn’t sustain any damage from the tornado,” Dad said. “Several of the men in our community finished it for him, and Wayne’s folks have been livin’ in it ever since.”
“Will they continue living there after Loraine and Wayne get married?” Katie asked.
Dad nodded. “At least until their own house is done.”
Katie knew from some of the things Loraine had said in her letters that she and Ada hadn’t always gotten along so well. She wondered how things would be having them both living under the same roof.
“Look at the Chupps’ place.” Dad pointed to the left. “They lost their barn, his buggy shop, and the house. Only those who’ve actually seen the destruction of a tornado like we had here can even imagine such a sight.”
Katie gripped the edge of the seat. “I don’t understand why God allows such horrible things to happen.”
He shrugged his broad shoulders. “It’s not our place to question God. His ways are not our ways.”
Katie clamped her teeth together in an effort to keep from saying what was on her mind. Dad wouldn’t understand if she told him how angry she was with God for taking Timothy. He’d probably give her a lecture and say it was Timothy’s time to die, like he’d said to her on the day of Timothy’s funeral.
“Do you know how long you’ll be helping at Loraine’s?” Dad asked.
“Probably most of the day, since I’m sure there’s a lot to be done before the wedding. You can come by sometime before supper and pick me up, or I can ask someone to give me a ride home.”
“I don’t mind coming back for you. I’ll be here around four, okay?”
“That’s fine, but if we get done sooner, I’ll just ask for a ride home.”
“Sounds good.” Dad guided the horse up Uncle Amos’s driveway and directed him toward the barn. When they stopped at the hitching rail, Dad turned to Katie and said, “Have a good day, and don’t work too hard. You’re lookin’ kind of peaked today.”
“I’ll be fine, Dad.” Katie climbed out of the buggy and headed to the house. She wasn’t fine at all. It seemed strange being back here again. She’d only been gone from home a little over six months, but it seemed a lot longer.
She noticed several people in the yard, pulling weeds and planting flowers, but didn’t see any sign of Loraine or her folks. She figured they must be in the house.
When she stepped onto the back porch, she drew in a shaky breath. She wished Grammy or Mom would have come with her today, instead of going shopping in Shipshewana. Katie figured since Mom and Grammy hadn’t seen each other for several months, they probably wanted to spend some time alone.
Just as Katie lifted her hand to knock on the back door, it swung open. Loraine stepped onto the porch and gave Katie a hug. “It’s so good to have you home! Danki for coming. It means a lot for me to have you and Ella as my attendants.”
“Danki for asking me.” Katie forced a smile. In some ways, it was good to be here, but she felt as out of place as a chicken in a duck pond.
“I just wish Jolene could be here, too.”
“She’s not coming?”
“Huh-uh. Her aunt’s been dealing with carpal tunnel on both of her wrists, and she recently had surgery to correct the problem. Jolene thought it’d be best if she stayed in Pennsylvania to help out.”
“That makes sense. But do you think Jolene will ever come back to Indiana?” Katie asked.
“I hope so.” Loraine opened the door and motioned Katie inside. “Ella and her sister Charlene are in the kitchen. We decided to have a snack before we head out to the barn to help decorate the tables for the wedding meal.”
When Katie entered the kitchen behind Loraine, she saw Ella and Charlene sitting at the table.
Ella jumped up, raced over Katie, and gave her a hug that nearly took Katie’s breath away. “It’s so good to see you! We’ve all missed you so much!”
Katie smiled. “I’ve missed you, too.”
“Would you like a glass of iced tea?” Loraine asked.
Katie nodded and took a seat at the table.
“How about a piece of my sister’s appeditlich friendship bread?” Charlene motioned to the plate of bread on the table.
“I’m sure the bread’s delicious, but I’m not really hungry right now.”
“As skinny as you are, you oughta eat the whole loaf.” Charlene’s eyebrows lifted high. “Are you sure you’re not hungry?”
Katie shook her head.
Ella shot her sister a look of disapproval, but Charlene didn’t seem to notice. She was busy cutting herself another hunk of bread.
“Didn’t you have a birthday last month?” Charlene asked, her mouth full.
Katie nodded. “I turned twenty.”
Charlene grabbed her glass and took a drink. “You’d sure never know it. Why, you don’t look like you’re more than sixteen.” She pointed to herself. “I look older than you.”
Katie groaned inwardly. She didn’t need the reminder that she looked young for her age. She couldn’t help it if she was short, petite, and had the face of a teenager. At least I act more mature than my sixteen-year-old cousin, she thought.
“I got a letter from Jolene last week,” Ella said. “She won’t be coming to Loraine’s wedding because—”
“She already knows,” Loraine interrupted. “I told her about Jolene’s aunt when we were out on the porch.”
“I wonder if Jolene’s using her aunt’s surgery as an excuse not to come home. She might be afraid that she won’t fit in with the rest of us now that she can’t hear,” Charlene put in.
Ella shot her sister another look. “I’m sure that’s not the reason. Jolene would never make up an excuse not to come to the wedding.”
Katie’s shoulders tensed as she shifted her gaze to the window. What would her cousins think if they knew she hadn’t wanted to come home for the wedding? Did they have any idea how hard it had been for her to make the trip? Even with Grammy along, Katie had felt anxious on the bus ride. Every horn honk and sudden stop had sent shivers up her spine. She knew she couldn’t have made the trip home alone. Even though she wasn’t looking forward to riding the bus again, she looked forward to going back to Florida where there were no painful reminders of the past.
Loraine stood. “Would anyone like to see my wedding dress?”
Charlene’s hand shot up. “I would!”
“Me, too,” Ella said.
Katie nodded as well.
“I’ll be right back.” Loraine scurried out of the room.
Charlene nudged Katie’s arm. “What’s it like in Pinecraft? That’s where your grossmudder lives, isn’t it?”
Katie nodded as she fiddled with the edge of the tablecloth. “As you know, Pinecraft is the section of Sarasota where many Plain People have homes or come to rent. It’s a nice community.”
“Is it true that there are no horses and buggies?” Charlene asked.
Katie nodded. “Unless they’re going out of the area and need to hire a driver, everyone either walks or rides a bike.”
“Do you go to the beach very often?” Ella questioned.
“Jah. Grandpa and I go there a lot. We enjoy looking for shells, and Grandpa likes to fish.”
Charlene sighed. “I wish I could visit Florida sometime. I’m sure I’d enjoy being on the beach.”
“Maybe you can visit me there sometime.”
Ella’s eyes widened. “You’re going back?”
“Of course. My home’s in Pinecraft now.”
The room got deathly quiet. Ella and Charlene stared at each other as though in disbelief.
Katie figured it was time for a change of subject. “Who did Wayne choose to be his attendants?” she asked.
“Jolene’s bruder, Andrew, and Freeman Bontrager,” Ella replied. “Wayne and Freeman have become good friends since Freeman and his sister, Fern, moved back to Indiana a few months ago.”
“Freeman opened a bicycle shop,” Charlene added. “Mom and Dad bought me a new bike for my birthday in February.”
“Oh, I see.” Katie stifled a yawn. She’d had trouble falling asleep last night.
“Freeman won’t be helping here today because he has lots of work at the shop.” Charlene sipped her iced tea. “You should see all the bikes he has. I’ll bet he’d do real well if he had a shop in Sarasota, since so many people ride bikes there.”
“Here it is,” Loraine said, sweeping into the room with a khaki green dress draped over her arm. “I’ll wear a full white apron over the front of the dress, of course.” She held it out to Katie. “What do you think?”
With trembling fingers and a wave of envy, Katie touched the smooth piece of fabric. “It–it’s very nice.”
“Are you okay?” Loraine asked with a look of concern. “Your hand’s shaking.”
Katie dropped both hands into her lap and clutched the folds in her dress. “I’m fine. Just a bit shaky because I didn’t have much breakfast.”
“Then you oughta have a piece of this.” Charlene pushed the plate of friendship bread toward Katie. “You’ll blow away in a strong wind if you don’t put some meat on your bones.”
Katie ground her teeth until her jaw began to ache. One of the first things Mom had said to her when she’d arrived home was that she needed to gain some weight. Of course, Dad had mentioned it, too.
“Charlene’s right.” Ella spoke up. “If you’re feeling shaky, then you should eat something.”
“Maybe you’re right.” Katie grabbed a piece of bread and took a bite. Then she washed it down with a sip of iced tea.
Bam! The screen door swung open, causing Katie to nearly jump out of her seat. Walking with a slow, stiff gait, Wayne entered the room. His face broke into a wide smile when he saw Katie. “Wie geht’s?”
“I’m fine.” The lie rolled off Katie’s tongue much too easily. She was getting used to telling people what she thought they wanted to hear.
Wayne moved across the room and stood beside Loraine’s chair. “We’re sure glad you could come for the wedding.”
Katie forced a smile and nodded.
“Would you like to see my new leg?” Before she could respond, Wayne pulled up his pant leg, exposing his prosthesis.
Katie bit back a gasp. “D-does it hurt?” She could hardly get the words out.
“It did at first, but I’ve pretty well adjusted to it now.” Wayne took a seat beside Loraine. “It could have been worse, and I’m grateful to be alive.”
Uneasiness tightened Katie’s chest, and she blew out a slow, shaky breath. Seeing him like this was a reminder of what she’d caused—and what she’d lost.
Wayne reached around Ella and grabbed a piece of bread. “Looks like you’ve been baking again, huh, Ella?”
She nodded. “It keeps me busy when I’m not helping my daed in his business.”
“Those wind chimes he makes are so nice,” Loraine said. “I might buy one soon, to hang on our porch.”
“You won’t have to do that,” Charlene said. “Dad and Mom are planning to give you one of his nicest sets of wind chimes for a wedding present.”
Ella poked her sister’s arm. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”
Charlene covered her mouth. “Oops.”
Loraine poured another glass of iced tea and handed it to Wayne. “How are things going outside?”
“Pretty good. By the end of the day, I think your folks’ yard will look like a park.” He grinned and lifted his glass to take a drink. “This sure hits the spot. It’s getting mighty warm out there. Much warmer than normal for April, I think.”
“That’s fine with me,” Loraine said. “A warm spring day is exactly what I wished we’d have on our wedding day. I hope the weather stays just like it is—at least until Thursday.”
Katie stared out the kitchen window, blinking back tears of envy and frustration. I’d give anything if it were me and Timothy getting married in two days. Oh, Lord, please give me the strength to get through Loraine’s wedding.
I didn't get the chance to read this yet but its next on my list of books to read so hopefully this week. I am almost done my book that I am reading now and that is next my on list.
Books Bought is a meme that I am hosting right here on Cindy's Love of Books.
Books Bought is a meme where you list your books or bookish items bought either in a week or month or whenever.
The only catch to this meme is that they have to be items that you physically have bought either at a indie store, big chain store, yard sale, library sale etc.
If you would like to take part all you have to do is leave a comment here letting me know you have done so and I will go and check out what goodies you bought.
When I got my new bookcase to review I realized that I needed something to put on top to showcase some books so I went to Chapters and found these great A-Z book ends. They are kinda heavy and covered in a fake leather. Which I think look really good.
The second item I bought was Forever by Judy Blume and I bought this because of a twitter conversation I was having with Rebecca about the book and about Judy Blume. I think in January 2010 she might be hosting a Judy Blume Challenge although I am not quite sure.
This is what I bought this week, what did you buy?
Today Oprah announced the latest book in her book club and its Say You're One Of Them by Uwen Akpan.
It first came out in June of 2008. I have had this on my TBR pile since the fall of last year. It was actually part of a book win that I never got to read. Perhaps I will make it a point to take it out and read.
ABOUT THE BOOK: Each story in this jubilantly acclaimed collection pays testament to the wisdom and resilience of children, even in the face of the most agonizing circumstances.
A family living in a makeshift shanty in urban Kenya scurries to find gifts of any kind for the impending Christmas holiday. A Rwandan girl relates her family’s struggles to maintain a facade of normalcy amid unspeakable acts. A young brother and sister cope with their uncle’s attempt to sell them into slavery.
Aboard a bus filled with refugees—a microcosm of today’s Africa—a Muslim boy summons his faith to bear a treacherous ride across Nigeria. Through the eyes of childhood friends the emotional toll of religious conflict in Ethiopia becomes viscerally clear.
Uwem Akpan’s debut signals the arrival of a breathtakingly talented writer who gives a matter-of-fact reality to the most extreme circumstances in stories that are nothing short of transcendent.
I just wanted to let my readers know that on September 17th, 2009 at 6:30 pm EST I will interviewed by Barry Eva AKA Storyheart on Blog Talk Radio.
Apparently we will be talking about my blog, books and anything else that comes up in conversation. You never know what will happen on live radio.
You can click on this link and it will take you directly to the page: Blog Talk Radio Show
There is a chat on the page that you can talk to other people or ask me any questions. Barry will be able to see your questions and will ask them. You can also call in at (347) 237-5398 where you will be able to speak with Barry and myself.
I am really excited and I hope that you will be able to stop by and listen or take part.
I have to send out a huge Thank You to Jason at CSN for contacting me and asking if I would be interested in receiving and reviewing a book case from them. Of course I didn't hestiate to email him back because I was interested. I was in need of a bookcase and I have been looking around in stores but everything I have seen was so expensive and it just wasn't in the budget right away. So this was a blessing in disguise. Thank you again Jason.
If you haven't already checked out CSN then you really should. I was surprised at what they had to offer online. Go and check them out they are a great online store with great prices on everyday items.
Okay so here is my review of my CSN Bookcase. Enjoy!
I got an email confirmation on the weekend saying that the bookcase left the brokerage house (because it was coming into Canada) and was on route to deliver. Any plans I had on Monday were going to be delayed because I wanted to stay in so I wouldn't miss this delivery.
It was a very long morning waiting for the truck to come. Every bang I heard outside had me running to the window only to be disappointed. The morning passed with nothing I was constantly checking my email thinking perhaps I read it wrong. Gee whiz, I ended up even calling the delivery company to see if it was actually the day of delivery. I was told yes.
Than finally at about 2pm I happened to look out my front window to see Purolator parked out front. I wasn't going to get to excited because sometimes I think the driver likes to tease me and I think I have a package and get excited but then sadly he drives away. Such a tease!
This was not the case. He was actually delivering..............
THE BOOK CASE! Yea, I was so excited. I should have taken a picture of myself but didn't think of it. Sorry.
(This is the un-assembled bookcase) There was no need for the instructions as it was all straight forward looking at everything. Upon inspection the only item I needed was a screw driver to assemble it.
There was groves in the back to slide the back pieces in which I loved. I was amazed at the quality of the book case. Pretty sturdy. I attached felt pieces to the bottom so that when I have to move it I won't scratch the hard wood floors. So this is the final finished product. Isn't it a beauty? I love it. I was wondering how I was going to place it in my living room. I already have a 5 shelf bookcase in my living room and when I started to reorganizing the books (taking the books off a small book case that was temporairly there and from the cedar chest) I realized that my other 5 shelf bookcase that I had in the basement had to come up.
So here is the end product. What do you think? I think its much cleaner looking and not so over crowded. The new book case now holds all my YA books. The A-Z is book ends that I bought when I got the new bookcase and between them is four books that I really want to read. Can you see what they are?
The book ends are holding The Hollow by Jessica Verday, Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink, Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev and Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow.
So all in all I am extremely happy with the newest addition in my living room. The living room looks so much neater not having a huge TBR pile of books on my cedar chest.
Thanks again Jason and CSN for sending me the book case.
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