Books and Needlepoint

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Book Blast: The Grimm Chronicles

Shared by Kristi

The Grimm Chronicles

200 years ago, the Brothers Grimm unleashed their stories upon the world. Literally. Now the characters of the Grimms' stories walk among us. With every day that passes, they grow more evil. They are the Corrupted, and only a hero can stop them.

For 18-year-old Alice Goodenough, that means taking precious time off from her summer vacation. In addition to volunteering at the local library, Alice must stop the Corrupted who are now actively hunting her down. With the help of her magic pen and her trusty rabbit friend, the world has suddenly gotten a lot more complex. The Corrupted are everywhere, and only Alice can see them for what they truly are.

This book contains the first 3 episodes of the critically acclaimed series:

Episode 1: Prince Charming Must Die!
Episode 2: Happily Never After
Episode 3: Revenge of the Castle Cats

Additional features for this special edition:

- An introduction

- Two special "Lost Diaries"

- A behind-the-scenes interview

- A collection of original Grimms' Fairy Tales

The Grimm Chronicles is intended for Young Adults aged 13 and up. The goal is to provide Young Adult readers with a strong, charismatic young woman in the role of the hero and provide readers with a positive protagonist who uses her brain to overcome obstacles life throws in her way.

Praise

“5 stars!” ~ Bookies Book Blog

"Highly recommended for all who love fairy tales and the YA genre." ~ My Cozie Corner

"All in all the books were excellent." ~ LilyElement

"If you love fairy tales and them being turned into modern day stories you will love these short stories." ~ Mom With a Kindle

5 stars (out of 5) ~ I Am, Indeed

“Isabella Fontaine and Ken Brosky’s incredible talent for storytelling takes the reader on an amazing action-packed ride fueled by endless creativity and limitless imagination. TGC is like a high-stakes version of Harold and the Purple Crayon meets a contemporary, above ground Alice in Wonderland. “ ~ Bookfetish

“I absolutely loved this book! No, let me rephrase that, I FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK! Nope, that doesn't even do it justice. Vol. 1 has the first three stories from the 12 that will ultimately make up the chronicles.” ~ Jesse Kimmel-Freeman

Purchase:

The Grimm Chronicles: Volume 1

Book 1: Prince Charming Must Die!

Book 2: Happily Never After

Book 3: Revenge of the Castle Cats

Book 4: The Orphanage of Doom

Book 5: Blood and Thunder

About the Authors

Ken Brosky received his MFA in fiction writing from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He also teaches English at Madison College. This is his first Young Adult series.

Isabella Fontaine owns a farm in Wisconsin and enjoys reading weird books like House of Leaves. This is her first Young Adult series.

Website * Facebook

Book Blast Giveaway Details

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 1/11/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Make a Resolution to Love (Kerry and Chris Shook)

Shared by Kristi

Resolve to Love by Kerry and Chris Shook

Right now, there are three relationships in your life that trouble you. Perhaps a good friend said something to you yesterday. It felt critical, but you’re not sure what she meant. The two of you used to be so close, but lately you’ve been drifting apart. Something’s not right. Oh, and your mother called. There’s that. You know you should return her call, but you haven’t. Why? You know there are things you should have said before, you avoided them, and now you feel it’s too late. It’s always so hard with her. Always messy. And then…your son has been missing. Not missing physically, but he’s been distant, quiet, silent. Missing emotionally. What’s that about? What’s going on in his life? You want to reach out, but he pushes you away. It worries you.

Maybe the relationships in your life aren’t exactly like these, but I’m guessing these remind you of someone close to you, a problem relationship in your life right now. Maybe it’s not your mother but your father, perhaps not your son but a daughter-in-law. It could be your best friend. Whoever it is, he or she is someone who matters to you—or else the relationship wouldn’t trouble you, gnaw at you on the inside, make you question and grumble, or even bring you to tears.

So take a moment and think, who are these three key people in your life? Which meaningful relationships are troubling you? Relationships you wish were closer. Relationships you’d like to be deeper and richer. Relationships that trouble you, bother you, even make you a little crazy right now.

Seriously, think about it. Who are they? And now take a moment to name these three key relationships out loud.

Trust me, this is important for you. In fact, this may be the most significant thing you do in your life right now. Why?

Because life is way too short. At the end of the day—at the end of The Day—in this all-too-short life we share, all that really matters is relationships. Our relationships with the God who created us and with the people we love. Compared to these relationships, the job or career goals we set now aren’t really so important, the ladders we try to climb don’t matter so much, and the objects we long to own and possess seem utterly trivial.

What really counts in the end is that special knowing look you share with your spouse, the arms of your child reaching up to you, or the quiet comfort of a friend who stands by your side in a difficult time.

The award-winning animated movie Up contains some profound truths about relationships. In a breathtaking sequence early in the film, we see the entire arc of the life of Carl, a balloon salesman, as he meets Ellie, falls in love, and gets married. They share a dream to travel to South America and save every penny for their big trip. But there’s something familiar about the way their savings are constantly being used for the urgencies and emergencies of daily life. Before Carl and Ellie know it, they’re in their seventies, and although they have a beautiful marriage, they never realized their dream adventure.

Ellie dies, and Carl is overwhelmed with regret about the trip they never took. In a desperate attempt to escape loneliness and recapture memories of Ellie, Carl attaches a bunch of balloons to his house and sets out for South America!

You begin to realize as the movie progresses that this dream trip they were saving for, this object of their future plan together, wasn’t really that important after all. The real adventure was the life they shared along the way.

The same is true for us: the adventure of a lifetime is right in front of us. It’s just cleverly disguised as a familiar face.

Think about the possible loss of the relationship with one of those three people you named. You can’t do anything about death and the physical departure of one of them from this earth. That’s in God’s hands.

But you can do something about your relationship with them in life.

Much of what you’ve been told about relationships is upside down and wrong.

Researchers tell us that a baby sees everything upside down for the first few days of life until the brain can adjust the visual picture to right side up. Most relationships today are stuck in this same infant stage; we tend to see relationships upside down, and our culture only reinforces this view. The concept of love at first sight permeates our music, movies, television, and books. What we learn as children and continue to believe as adults is that a fairy-tale relationship somehow just happens. Now, I’m not bashing romance, but meaningful relationships depend on seeing other people as they are and looking at them right side up. Real love—whether romantic love, a close friendship, or a family relationship—happens long after first sight. It shows up as people get to know each other more deeply and often after they work through tough things together. Real love in relationships isn’t a magic act; it’s a journey.

When people say, “It was love at first sight,” what they really mean is “I was attracted to that person the first time I saw them.” There is nothing wrong with being infatuated with someone at the start of a relationship. The real question, however, is, do you have a love that is growing stronger and deeper every day?

I don’t believe in love at first sight; I believe in love at last sight. Each of my relationships has the potential to be better the next time we’re together than it was the previous time so that the last time we see each other on this earth we’re closer than ever before.

I’d like you to join me in the Lasting Love Relationship Challenge. The book One Month to Love is the challenge, and you can do it on your own. Just read a chapter each day. There are thirty chapters, they’re short, and you can probably read one a day pretty easily. At the end of each chapter you’ll find the Lasting Love Relationship Challenge, which is designed to help you take the insights from that day and apply them to your key relationships. Also you can log on to onemonthtolove.com each day to access our personal coaching and get extra encouragement and advice or share your story. Our goal is to come alongside you to help you create the very best relationships possible. Let’s resolve to love this year!

Monday, December 31, 2012

Genre (Variety) Reading Challenges - 2013

Shared by Kristi

The Genre Variety Challenge is hosted by A Daydreamer's Thoughts. It runs from Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2013. There are five levels to chose from and I will be choosing the hardest level - Champion - which is 30 books in 30 different genres. I have listed the genres below that they have given to start you off with. You can see all the rules/genres/levels when you sign up at A Daydreamer's Thoughts.

1. Family/Relationship - Five Years to Live by Frank Zaccari
2. Religious - Questions of Life by Nicky Gumbel
3. Suspense - Amanda's Story by Brian O'Grady
4. Romance - Kissing Kendall
5. Mystery - Proof of Guilt
6. Romantic Suspense - Into the Night

Contemporary
Historical
Paranormal
Fantasy
Romance
Sci-Fi
Crime
Thriller
Adventure
Non-Fiction
Women’s Fiction
Chick-Lit
Dystopian
Epic Fantasy
Western
Comedy
Horror
MANfiction
Self-Help
Biography
Auto-biography
Fairy Tales
Classics
Erotica
Short Stories
Travel Guides
Mystery
Suspense

The Genre/Sub-Genre Reading Challenge is hosted by Book Dragon's Lair. There were no dates listed, but I am guessing Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2013. There are five genres and you must read three books from each genre, but they must be from different sub-genres. If that sounds confusing you can check it out when you sign up at Book Dragon's Lair. (You can also see some sub-genres at Writer's Digest. The main genres are:

Romance

Horror

Thriller/Suspense

Science Fiction/Fantasy

Mystery/Crime

Horror -
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Science Fiction/Fantasy -
x
x

The Well-Educated Mind is a mini challenge under the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge hosted by Robin of My Two Blessings. This challenge is based on a book by Susan Wise Bauer called "Well Educated Mind". She recommends 30 books in 5 different categories that she suggests be read in the order listed. You can check out these five categories and the first 15 books in each category when you sign up for this challenge. Robin's mini challenge is to read 3 books in one of the categories.

The Eclectic Reader Challenge is hosted by Book'd Out. This challenge runs from Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2013. The goal is to read one book from each of the 12 categories below. For the rest of the rules and to sign up, please visit Book'd Out. You can search Listopia at Goodreads for reading suggestions if you get stuck.

Categories

Translated fiction
Historical mystery
Romantic suspense - Into the Night by Stacy Green
Made into a movie
New Adult
Urban Fantasy
Dystopian
Memoir
LGBT
Action adventure
Humour
Published in 2013

The Dusty and/or Chunky Challenge is a mini challenge under the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge hosted by Robin at My Two Blessings. Dusty books are the ones that have been sitting around for awhile and Chunky books have to be at least 500 pages long. You can sign up for the dusty and/or chunky challenge. I think I will try for the Bing Crosby level of the dusty challenge which is to read 4 books and the Short Fat Fannie level of the Chunky Challenge which is 2 books. You can see all the different levels when you visit the mini-challenge.

Bing Crosby Level (Dusty Challenge)

Short Fat Fannie Level (Chunky Challenge)

The Out-of-your-Comfort Zone challenge is hosted by Lucy at Lucy Bird Books. Lucy gives you 12 different ways to find a new book to read to push you out of your comfort zone. I would like to try to read one book from each way that she suggests. You can see these suggestions at the blog she created for this challenge - Out-of-your-Comfort Zone Challenge.

The Literary Exploration Reading Challenge is hosted by Michael at Literary Exploration. This is another challenge to try to get you to try some new genres. I am going for the Insane challenge which is to read 36 books in 36 different genres. (You can also sign up for 12 books or 24 books). To sign up, please visit Literary Exploration.

Insane Challenge

Miscellaneous Reading Challenges - 2013

Shared by Kristi

Any challenges that didn't fit anywhere else!

52 Books in 52 Weeks is being hosted by Robin of My Two Blessings. The goal is to read one book a week all year. She has some mini challenges and will be having weekly challenges that you can participate in as well to liven it up a bit. The reading book week begins on Sundays. To see the challenges and rules - visit the blog 52 Books in 52 Weeks.

Five Years to Live - Frank Zaccari
Questions of Life - Nicky Gumbel
Amanda's Story - Brian O'Grady
Kissing Kendall - Jennifer Shirk
Melting the Millionaire's Heart - Linda Morris
Proof of Guilt - Charles Todd
Into the Dark - Stacy Green
x
x
x

The E-Book Challenge is being hosted by Workaday Reads. It runs from Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2013. I am going to sign up for the Level 2 "CD" level - which is to read 10 books. You can see the rules and sign up at Workaday Reads.

Operation Deepen Faith is being hosted by Operation Actually Read Bible. There are six options you can choose as well as reading some Christian non-fiction. I am signing up to read some Christian non-fiction and am also going to sign up for a reading plan at YouVersion.com - I just haven't decided which one yet, but I am sure it will fit into one of the six options listed. To see those options and sign up, visit Operation Actually Read Bible.

Questions of Life - Nicky Gumbel

I have signed up under YouVersion.com for their 100 Days of Discipline reading plan. I will be reading Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts in 139 (Reading M-F; catch up on weekends).

Reading TBR and Quantity Challenges - 2013

Shared by Kristi

2013 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge hosted by The Book Vixen

The Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge is hosted by The Book Vixen. It runs from Jan 1-Dec 31, 2013. The goal is to read more books than you did in 2012. I read around 90 books in 2012 and would like to reach 100 - so I am going to sign up for Level 2 - Out of Breath - which is to read 6-10 more books than in 2012. To see the rules and where to sign up, visit The Book Vixen.

I am a Reading Challenge Addict so of course I had to hook up with this Challenge. I am afraid to count how many challenges I have signed up for, but you can sign up and see all the other addicts at this post.

The Just For Fun Reading Challenge is being hosted by Escape With Dollycas. You just have to commit to read one book each month for fun. I tend to get caught up with all my review books and am trying not to get so swept up in that, so that is why I am signing up for this one. To see how to sign up, visit Escape With Dollycas.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

The Mount TBR Reading Challenge is being hosted by My Reader's Block. It runs from Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2013. I am only going to sign up for Pike's Peak which is 12 books. These books must be owned by you prior to 2013 - no library books, no review books, etc. To see more rules and sign up, visit My Reader's Block.

The Read-A-Latte Challenge is being hosted by Kimberly's Bookshelf. I am going to sign up for the Cappucino level which is to read 100 books. To see the rules and sign up, visit Kimberly's Bookshelf.

The Embarrassment of Riches Reading Challenge is being hosted by Planet Pook. I am again committing to read 12 books from my TBR pile for this challenge. To see the rules and sign up, please visit this post.

The Bucket List Book Challenge is being hosted by Kimberly's Bookshelf. These are the books that you think you should be reading - classics, prize winners - only you know what those books are - they just can't be published in 2013. I am going to sign up for Inspired - which is 6 books. To sign up and see the rules please visit Kimberly's Bookshelf.

The Quick Fix Challenge is being hosted by Jessie's Book Place. This challenge is for those books under 300 pages long. I am going to sign up for the Duck Tape Level which is to read 15 books. To see the rules and sign up, please visit Jessie's Book Place.

Five Years to Live - Frank Zaccari
Questions of Life - Nicky Gumbel
Kissing Kendall - Jennifer Shirk
Melting the Millionaire's Heart - Linda Morris
Into the Dark - Stacy Green
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x

The Library Books Reading Challenge is hosted by Book Dragon's Lair. I am signing up for the Chapter Book level, which is to read 12 books. To see all the levels and rules, and to sign up, please visit Book Dragon's Lair.

Favorite Reading Challenges

Shared by Kristi

I don't know why, but these are some of my favorite challenges. I think it is probably because I like following lists, and these kind of feed into that. . .

Monthly Key Word Challenge is hosted by Bookmark to Blog. The challenge is to read one book each month whose title includes one or more of the key words (or variation of the key word) for that month.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

The Colorful Reading Challenge is hosted by Lost in Books. The challenge is to read 9 books with a color in their title. To see other rules and sign up - visit Lost in Books.

The Color Coded Reading Challenge is hosted by My Reader's Block. The challenge runs all year and you must read a book from each of the nine categories:

Blue (Turquoise, Aquamarine, Navy, etc.)
Red (Scarlet, Crimson, Burgandy, etc.)
Yellow (Gold, Lemon, Maize, etc.)
Green (Emerald, Lime, Jade, etc.)
Brown (Tan, Chocolate, Beige, etc.)
Black (Jet, Ebony, Charcoal, etc.)
White (Ivory, Eggshell, Cream, etc.)
Any other color (Purple, Orange, Silver, Pink, Magenta, etc.)
A word that implies color (Rainbow, Polka-dot, Plaid, Paisley, Stripe, etc)

What's in a Name 6 Challenge is hosted by Beth Fish Reads. Between Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2013, read one book with each of the following words/category in the title.

A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title.
A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title.
A book with a party or celebration in the title
A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title. -
A book with an emotion in the title. - Proof of Guilt - Charles Todd
A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in the title.

What an Animal Reading Challenge is hosted by Socrates Book Reviews. The challenge runs from Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2013. The challenge is to read 6 books with one of the following:

An Animal in the title
An Animal on the cover
An Animal plays a major role
A main character is (or turns into) an animal

The animal can be any type (real or fictitious) - dog, cat, monkey, wolf, snake, insect, hedgehog, aardvark, dragon, mermaid, centaur, vampire, werewolf, etc.

Visit Socrates Book Reviews to see the other rules and to sign up.

A to Z Reading Challenge is being hosted by Escape with Dollycas. It runs all year and the challenge is to read 26 books, one starting with each letter of the alphabet. To see any other rules and to sign up, please visit Escape with Dollycas.

A - Amanda's Story by Brian O'Grady
B
C
D
E
F - Five Years to Live by Frank Zaccari
G
H
I - Into the Dark by Stacy Green
J
K - Kissing Kendall by Jennifer Shirk
L
M - Melting the Millionaire's Heart by Linda Morris
N
O
P - Proof of Guilt by Charles Todd
Q - Questions of Life by Nicky Gumbel
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

The A to Z Book Challenge is being hosted by Babies, Books and Beyond. I am going to do both of these challenges, but am not going to duplicate the books - there will be a different set of books for each A-Z (I might cheat on letters like X and Z, but we will see.) To see all the rules and sign up, please visit Babies, Books, and Beyond.

The Book to Movie Challenge is being hosted by Doing Dewey and will run until Dec 2013. I am going to go for the Movie Devotee, which is to read 6 books and then watch the movies and review. To see other levels and to sign up, please visit Doing Dewey.