Saturday, May 3, 2014

I SPY WIT' ME LITTLE EYE





Ship's Log  05.03.2014                                                                          





Ahoy Mateys! It be time fer another I SPY WIT' ME LITTLE EYE post! Today I be tellin' ye about 2 books by author Melissa Tagg. They are part of a series and they are really great reads. So, without further ado.....








About the Author
Melissa Tagg



Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she's also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for writers. When she's not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever (not that she's biased), watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next story. She's passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com.





Now...her books:                                                                




Made To Last



Description:

Miranda Woodruff has it all. At least, that's how it looks when she's starring in her homebuilding television show, From the Ground Up. So when her network begins to talk about making cuts, she'll do anything to boost ratings and save her show--even if it means pretending to be married to a man who's definitely not the fiance who ran out on her three years ago.

When a handsome reporter starts shadowing Miranda's every move, all his digging into her personal life brings him a little too close to the truth--and to her. Can the girl whose entire identity is wrapped up in her on-screen persona finally find the nerve to set the record straight? And if she does, will the life she's built come crashing down just as she's found a love to last?



My Review:


Hard To Put Down!!


Sigh......I must say that when I finished this book, I came away with a satisfying feeling. It was perfectly written and so enjoyable to read. Melissa has written a tale that truly reveals how much we need to be ourselves and not try to conform to this world and it's expectations of us. I found myself loving these characters....especially Blaze! Oh man, I would love to hear the rest of his story. *hint, hint*

Making your mark in this world should be an easy task, but at times we find ourselves in tough situations. This story has a way of entertaining you and educating you at the same time.

I would love to see this made into a movie some day. There wasn't a single part of this book that could not be portrayed in a movie....including those passages where the characters were thinking about their pasts. Yes, I can definitely see this on the Hallmark Channel one day....too bad I don't have their ear.

"And it makes me think, what does God see in us that we don't? That matters. Because when all the stuff we're hiding behind is stripped away, it's what He sees that's left. So what does He see?"
( POWERFUL MESSAGE, to say the least!)

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read about characters that not only entertain you (and BOY do they ever entertain!), but that help you to get in touch with your own feelings and what needs to be done to make your own life reflect truth.....and therefore, opens you up to love.

I was given a copy of Made To Last from Bethany House Publishing, in exchange for an honest review. (I was under no obligation to give a positive review.)


You can purchase a copy of Made To Last   HERE




Here To Stay



Description:

After playing nomad for five years, Blake Hunziker has finally had enough of adventure. Not sure what reception he'll get from everyone back in Whisper Shore, he's stunned at not only a warm welcome from his hometown but also a job offer. The job is his if he can successfully pull off the annual Christmas Festival. If only he knew the first thing about coordinating events...

If there's one thing Autumn Kingsley knows, it's Whisper Shore. For years, she's been stuck running her family's inn when all she wants is to see the world. Now she has a visit scheduled from a potential investor who could take over the inn, as well as a dream job offer in Paris. But with just two weeks to whip the inn into shape, her chance at escape is a long shot.

The Hunzikers and the Kingsleys may not get along, but Blake knows Autumn's the only one who can help him. She agrees to a trade--she'll help with the Festival and he'll help with inn repairs. But what was meant to be a simple deal quickly becomes much more than that when the guy who's done running away joins forces with the girl who can't wait to leave.



My Review:


Blaze is on fire!!!


When I read Made To Last by Melissa Tagg, I was totally enamored by one character....Blake Hunziker, aka Blaze. He may not have been the 'main' character, but he certainly shined for me. When I finished the book, all I could think about was whether or not Melissa was going to give Blaze his own story/book. And she did!!!
Let me tell you, this book does not disappoint. Blaze is just as funny and entertaining as in Made To Last. Of course, in Here To Stay, he shows more sides to himself...all wonderfully written.
How do you know what is best for you? How do you know which door to walk through, when you can see so many up ahead? Coming back home wasn't an easy decision for Blaze and his story has its ups and downs....and quirks, of course.
I truly loved this story and I can't wait to read more by Melissa Tagg. And in case you cannot tell, I highly recommend Here To Stay.


I was given a copy of this book by the author and publisher, but was under no obligation to give a positive review.



You can purchase a copy of Here To Stay   HERE  




Obviously, I highly recommend both of these books. Melissa Tagg is a very talented author and I look forward to reading more of her stories. 



GIVEAWAY!!!!


Okay Mateys, listen up! I am going to choose one commenter and give that person his/her choice of the Kindle version of Made To Last OR Here To Stay....winner's choice. Just leave a comment with your name and email address and I will throw yer name in the hat! Ye have until midnight, May 6, 2014 (Pacific Time) to enter...winner will be announced on my Wordless Wednesday With A Twist post on May 7, 2014. 



So get yerselves to commentin' Mateys! And God bless ye fer comin' aboard!!!!















Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Wordless Wednesday With A Twist





Ship's Log  05.01.2014                                                                                       







Purple-hair Silly Face Clip Art




Here be me favorite caption, Mateys!








         

 Cecilia "let me at em"



AND



Ring around the rosies, pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down.




Only two people put captions, so I chose both! 





Thanks fer comin' aboard, Mateys! God bless.




Monday, March 24, 2014

AND THE WINNERS BE.......




Ship's Log   03.24.2014




Ahoy Mateys! I have two winners to announce to ye! Let's not dilly dally about and get right to it!



Jack Sparrow jack sparrow pirate caribbean



The winner of an ebook copy of The Ransom is:
Angel Burns


AND


The winner of me special Exploding Picture Box is:
Melody Durant



Congratulations Mateys! I will be contacting ye soon! Thanks to everyone who came aboard and participated. Keep yer eye out fer future reviews and giveaways! God bless!

Saturday, March 15, 2014

I SPY WIT' ME LITTLE EYE






Ship's Log  03.15.2014                                                                         




THIS CONTEST BE OVER, MATEYS! WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MONDAY! WHILE YER HERE, YE MIGHT AS WELL READ ABOUT THE RANSOM! ARRGH!
Ahoy Mateys! It be time fer another I SPY WIT' ME LITTLE EYE post! This be a special one, because it concerns the release of me Cap'n MaryLu Tyndall's newest book  THE RANSOM.





The Ransom
by MaryLu Tyndall



First of all, isn't this a gorgeous cover?! I love it! Secondly, I believe this book to be MaryLu at her best. Once again, she has written a story that will leave you wanting more. I love her pirate books and this, in my opinion, is my favorite one! It could possibly be my favorite out of ALL of her books!




About the author:



Acclaimed author, M.L. (MaryLu) Tyndall dreamt of pirates and sea-faring adventures during her childhood days on Florida's Coast. After obtaining a degree in Math and working as software engineer for 15 years, she decided to test the waters as a writer. With now more than fourteen books published, she makes no excuses for the deeply spiritual themes embedded within her romantic adventures. As a follower of Christ, her stories often reflect her own journey and walk with God. Her hope is that readers will not only be entertained but will be brought closer to the Creator who loves them beyond measure. In a culture that accepts the occult, wizards, zombies, and vampires without batting an eye, MaryLu hopes to show the awesome present and powerful acts of God in a dying world. A Christy award nominee, MaryLu makes her home with her husband, six children, and four cats on the California coast, where her imagination still surges with the sea.




I have read every one of MaryLu's books and I highly recommend them all! 



As for The Ransom, here is it's description, followed by my review and a link to purchase the paperback or ebook.



Description:

Port Royal, Jamaica 1692 

Living in a city deemed the wickedest in the world is no easy task for Miss Juliana Dutton. To make matters worse, with an ailing father and a drunken fool for a brother, she is forced to take over the running of the family business in order to survive. When a meddlesome suitor threatens to discover her secret and cast them all onto the streets, she agrees to a spurious engagement with the town buffoon, Lord Munthrope. She only hopes the man is trustworthy. 

The Pirate Earl, Alexander Hyde, son of the infamous Captain Edmund Merrick Hyde, is the most feared pirate in Port Royal. Disillusioned with the religion of his parents and the pleasures of the world, Alex staves off his emptiness by leading a dual life to hide his deepest secrets. 

A long-time enemy is out to destroy Alex and take Juliana for his own. Struggling to maintain her faith in the Divine, Juliana faces her problems bravely, but the harder she tries, the more it seems everything is working against her. Unwittingly, she and her weak fiancé become entangled in the hostility between the Pirate Earl and his enemy, while even more dangerous forces are rising up to destroy them all.




Does it have your interest yet? If not, check out my review:



I'm thirsty for more!


You have got to read this book! It will catch you from page one and keep you captive until the very end. Oh, why did it have to end?
I truly believe that this is MaryLu at her finest. I am so happy that she has once again dipped her quill into the ink of adventure upon the high seas, romance and let's not forget about the pirates!
The Ransom is Book Four in a series, but no worries if you haven't read the first three. This book can totally stand on it's own. However, I highly recommend reading the entire series.
The main characters (or what I like to call actors, because I feel like I am enjoying a movie rather than a book) are wonderfully written. The banter that goes back and forth between Alex and Juliana is priceless. I found myself laughing out loud while reading certain passages and totally blown away by the history unfolding before my eyes.
I really do not want to give away too much, so I will simply say.....”Hahaha!” “Oh my!” “Sniff sniff...” “Are you kidding me?!” “Wow, I didn't see that coming!” “Oh my!” (yes, again) “Praise be to God!” “Look out!” “Ha! You SO deserved that!”
I have read every book that MaryLu Tyndall has written. She has never disappointed me with her writing. Each book has brought me everything that I look for in a story....excitement, intrigue, humor, history, romance and most of all faith. Throughout her writing career, MaryLu has stayed true to her faith. I suppose this quote from the book sums it up for her:
“I have not chosen it. It has chosen me.”

Huzzah, MaryLu! Here's to many more adventures!


Jack Sparrow jack sparrow pirate caribbean


I truly believe that anyone who reads this book will not be disappointed....except for it leaving you wanting more. 


You can purchase the ebook HERE.   And the paperback HERE.

   





Now, for the giveaway. I will be giving away an ebook copy of The Ransom to one commenter. I will also be giving away one of my handmade, one-of-a-kind Exploding Picture Boxes to one commenter.....two prizes, two chances to win something. Below are pictures of the box to be given away. If you wish to enter, simply leave a comment with your NAME and EMAIL. It's that simple! This contest will run from March 15-March 22. Winners will be announced on Monday, March 24th. (ebook giveaway is for all, but the box giveaway is for US resident's only...unless winner agrees to pay postage)

If ye have already read the book, please mention in the comments how much you loved it, so that others can see how great of a read it is! Thanks!



THE RANSOM   Exploding Picture Box
(Love themed, to display photos of you and your love)



 I am holding the box in this picture to show it's actual size.


                                      


This shows how to place pictures in the box. There is room for 8 pictures. (or more, if you print them out really small.)There are three layers to the box. The first layer is just for looks. The other two layers are for your pictures. Like I mentioned, it's love themed, with love quotes on all layers. My granddaughter's picture is just an example used to show placement on the layers......She is a cutie, isn't she? 




So, there ye have it, Mateys! So begin yer commenting and please be spreadin' the word! 



Thanks fer comin' aboard! God bless!