Taking On the OMF Lit Challenge at the MIBF

As I have mentioned in my previous post on tips on enjoying the MIBF, I said that when you get to the book fair you should be prepared to be overwhelmed. There are books, books, books everywhere. Online casino Ireland. ###

I watched this scene in Sex in the City a long time ago: as Carrie Bradshaw was walking along the streets of New York, she stopped in front of a store window and with a dreamy look in her eyes, sighed with pleasure. What was in the window? Only the latest designer shoes by one of her favorite designers. Well, that’s me once I get to the book fair. I enter the fair, look around, and sigh with so much pleasure: BOOKS!

I’m happy to see this year that there are several booths in the fair that sell books by Christian authors. In my own humble opinion, the OMF Lit booth was the best. This is not because it had the largest booth among all the Christian bookstores, but because they had so many activities within the booth. Once inside, it will be hard to leave as you get to meet the different authors, have your new books signed and even get the chance to win some of their best books.

One of the activities that had me staying in their booth was the Bloggers Challenge. We were given a set of ten challenges to do for a chance to win all of their new releases. What?! More books? I am definitely in!

Here’s the list and how I achieved them:

1. Grab your favorite book, go the the stage and have your picture taken like our I Read poster.

2. Walk up to a complete stranger and recommend a book for them to buy.

This I did one huge step bigger: I agreed to be interviewed by the 700 Club staff who was around that time and talked about Hula, Multo, Faith Healing ATBP by Hiram G. Pangilinan. They say I’ll be appearing on TV some time. Too bad I don’t have a picture of that but Ms. Ida Torres of OMF Lit was right there watching the interview.

3. Take a video of yourself talking about why and who you love reading.

Ms. Ida Torres took a video of me at the book fair.

4. Wear a silly hat, go to another booth and have picture taken with a stranger.

Thanks to this young man, who is still a stranger to me till now, for agreeing to have his picture taken with me.

5. Introduce yourself on stage and talk about your blog and your blog url.

This is the best of all my challenges. Instead of merely going up on stage, Ms. Ida had me interviewed by The Edge Radio that was currently broadcasting from their booth! I got to talk about homeschooling and why it was the best decision for our family.

6. Post something on your social networks inviting them to the MIBF OMF Lit booth in an unusual way.

http://www.facebook.com/michelle.padrelanan/posts/1497279008032

http://www.facebook.com/michelle.padrelanan/posts/1501599276036

http://www.facebook.com/michelle.padrelanan/posts/1501765920202

http://www.facebook.com/michelle.padrelanan/posts/1501765960203

http://www.facebook.com/michelle.padrelanan/posts/1501799241035

http://www.facebook.com/michelle.padrelanan/posts/1501799281036

http://www.facebook.com/michelle.padrelanan/posts/229324220449745

http://www.facebook.com/michelle.padrelanan/posts/173660426044377

http://www.facebook.com/michelle.padrelanan/posts/1508034116903

http://www.facebook.com/michelle.padrelanan/posts/1509009381284

http://twitter.com/#!/mpadrelanan/status/113172137833013248

http://twitter.com/#!/mpadrelanan/status/113182024679960576

http://www.facebook.com/michelle.padrelanan/posts/1507487343234

7. Get three people to sign the OMF Lit survey.

This was the first thing I did because it’s the easiest.

8. Briefly interview an OMF Lit staff about how they feel about the MIBF so far.

This is Mr. Nelson Zuniga who works in the Wholesale Department of OMF Lit. He says,

“Hirap during ingress kasi nakakapagod. Pero masaya ngayon sa dami ng tao. Hindi dahil sa dami ng benta kundi madaming makakapagbasa ng God’s word – pwedeng iregalo at makapagpabago ng buhay.” (It was hard during ingress because it was tiring. But I’m happy now because of the volume of people that came. Not because of the sales, but because a lot more people will be able to read God’s word – the books can be given as gifts and it may help to change people’s lives.")

9. Write a blog (or even a series of blog entries) about your whole MIBF experience.

Our Fun Days at the OMF Lit Booth at the
32nd Manila International Book Fair

Book Review: Hula, Multo, Faith Healing ATBP by Hiram G. Pangilinan

Tips on Enjoying the 32nd Manila International Book Fair

OMF Lit is Giving Away Free Tickets to the 2011 MIBF

Win a New Book from OMF Lit

There should have been 10 challenges but they took one out which is helping to bag books because there were just too many customers around.

I know after reading this blog post and all my other posts about OMF Lit, you might be wondering if OMF paid me to do this for them. The answer is a big “NO”. I write about the book fair because this is one of the major affairs that my children and I go to every year. We enjoy it a lot. We specifically enjoy going to the OMF Lit booth every year because we have met so many people there that have become our friends. We also love their books by Ms. Grace Chong and Tito Doc Luis Gatmaitan so it’s always a pleasure to see them at the book fair. With all the activities that they have at the booth, there’s always something for every one of my children.

Our Fun Days at the OMF Lit Booth at the 32nd Manila Int’l Book Fair

Book signing with authors Robert Magnuson and Joyce P. Go.

 

Storytelling of Joyce P. Go’s Bee Safe

With our two favorite authors, Ms. Grace D. Chong of the Oh! Mateo series and Dr. Luis Gatmaitan of the Tito Dok book series. The children grew up reading their books and it’s always a pleasure to meet them at the book fair. We make it a point to see them every year.

With author, Pastor Hiram Pangilinan, during the launch and book signing of his new book HULA, MULTO, FAITH HEALING ATBP.

The staff at OMF Lit are so friendly and accommodating. Each year, we would visit their booth first. We participate in most of their activities especially when the authors are there. 

Other Christian bookstores that are also there are the Church Strengthening Ministry whose books were being sold like pancakes, all titles at only P100.00.

Christian Literature Crusade was also there with a large booth as well. Books were being sold for as low as P50.00, Bibles at a discount of 50%.

I was glad to see Navpress with a larger booth this time. Their Melody Carlson True Colors series were being sold for only P99.00. Books by Jerry Bridges were only P100.00. Bibles were discounted as low as 50% off.

Philippine Christian Book Store (PCBS), Philippine Bible Society, Biblica also took part in the book fair. It’s good to see a lot of Christian book stores there.

Book Review: Hula, Multo, Faith Healing, ATBP - Expose ng Occult sa Pilipinas by Hiram Pangilinan

Here in the Philippines, most people generally believe so many things such as hula, faith healing, aswang, usog and so many others. Spirit of the coin is commonly played by little children without any thought to its dangers. The usual phrase you hear is “Wala namang masama kung maniwala”. Sigh, it can get tiring trying to explain to others why we don’t want to bring our children to faith healers.

 

In our family, these practices are followed including feng shui, worship of the dead, and using objects as sources of luck. That’s why I am so glad that Pastor Hiram Pangilinan wrote Hula, Multo, Faith Healing, ATBP. This book is about the many occult practices that are being done  here in the Philippines. He sheds light on all the occult activities that most Filipinos find normal and okay. Through this book I found out that even the ordinary zodiac and astrology are also occult.

 

In our family, we usually say “We don’t believe in usog.” or “There are no aswangs!” These statements are corrected by Pastor Hiram and explained that these are indeed true and not to be taken lightly. Each occult practice is explained in detail with instructions on how to pray in Jesus’ name in order to be free of Satan’s stonghold in your life.

 

A word of warning, though, I would suggest praying constantly as you read Hula, Multo, Faith Healing, ATBP. The stories he tells are true and can cause fear in you as it did to me initially. However, Pastor Hiram also encourages you to pray before reading the book. I always pray before I read it, as I am reading and after I read.

 

The good thing is that all throughout the book, the author keeps on assuring us that God’s children are safe because demons are afraid of the name of Jesus. After a few more chapters, I started to feel different about the book and its stories. With Pastor Hiram's constant assurance that demons are afraid just by the mention of Jesus' name, I feel my fear is starting to fade.

 

My only beef with this book is that it is written in taglish.  As one used to reading in straight English, I’ve had to constantly adjust my mind to this. Despite also speaking in taglish most of the time, I have a hard time reading it in taglish. I’m guessing the reason for this is to be able to reach more Filipinos but most Filipinos read English anyway. I think I’d appreciate if better if it were written in straight English while using the actual Tagalog words for those commonly used terms in the occult.

 

Despite of that, the value of this book for the Christian Filipino is priceless. We are inundated everyday with several occult practices and we just have to learn how to protect ourselves from it. You can expect to learn and be corrected about those practices commonly done here in the Philippines. More importantly, you can expect to learn how to battle these demons that may have attached themselves to you.

 

Hula, Multo, Faith Healing, ATBP is launching at the OMF Lit booth at the 32nd Manila International Book Fair as SMX Convention Center from Sept. 14 – 18, 2011. For free tickets, go here.

 

You can win a free copy of this book by joining my giveaway. Click here to join.

 

Disclosure: While I received a complimentary copy of this book from OMF Lit, they did not give it to me in exchange for this review. I write this review of my own accord in support of Filipino Christian authors.

Tips on Enjoying the 32nd Manila International Book Fair

As I have been saying, my children and I follow the book fair every year. From when it was still held at Megamall to the World Trade Center, and now at the SMX, we’ve been there. In fact, we enjoy it so much that we’d keep coming back and try to go on all days of the fair.

For homeschoolers, this is the best time to get those books you’d like for your children. Edcrish selling Singapore Math My Pals are Here, and C&E Publishing selling Sing, Spell, Read, Write are here. Other textbook publishers are also here and you can get all their books at low or discounted prices. 

So in order to maximize your time to the fullest, I’d like to share here some tried and tested tips on how to enjoy the 32nd Manila International Book Fair.

Get Free Tickets

The entrance fee to the fair is P25.00 per head.  Usually, bookstores who join the fair give free tickets when you visit their stores. So far, I’ve seen OMF Lit and Christian Literature Crusade giving away free tickets. If you can, pass by their bookstores and ask for free tickets. Or go here and print your free ticket.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

You’re going to be on your feet for most of the day, it’s best to be comfortable.

Don’t forget to bring food and drink for nourishment.

If you’re like most of us, we’d rather save as much as we can so that we can buy as many books as we can. You can bring your own  water and snacks but you may have to leave these at the package booth. Nevertheless, you can always go out of the fair to take a snack break. All that walking and browsing through books is bound to make you tired.

Bring a bag or trolley to put your books in.

We like to keep our purchases in just one or two bags. This way, we avoid losing a few books in all those sale piles. A trolley would be better since the books can get heavy. Or you can take advantage of the package booth to leave your heavy purchases in while you go shopping for more.

If you have children…

…decide if you want to bring your small children to the fair. I bring my six year old with strict instructions to stay beside me all of the time. There are a lot of people going to the book fair, a child can easily get lost. Have an agreement of where you will meet each other in case your child gets lost.

Also, be ready for those sales people standing along the aisles telling you to have your child tested for their IQ, or to let her ‘play’ with their educational products. When you do entertain them, be prepared for a strong and persistent sales pitch. If you don’t want to entertain them, just say a firm “no, thank you” and keep on walking. They are at every aisle, though.

Finally, get ready to be overwhelmed!

The place is filled with books, books, books! We like to go around first and browse the books before making a decision. There are times when you can find a book in another booth at a much lower price. All books are on sale and some are at really low, low prices. So set your budget, bring a list if you can, and enjoy!

Here are some of the discounts I’ve seen so far:

National Book Store – 20% off on all books, there are books at P50, P75, P100, P150.

OMF Literature Book Shop – 20 – 30% off on all books, books at P75, P95.

Church Strengthening Ministry – All books are P100 each.

Christian Literature Crusade – 20% – 50% discount on books and 40% discount on Bibles.

Bibles are on sale from P500. up.

Scholastica – bag all you can for P999.

If you want to win a free book from OMF Lit, join my giveaway here.

For your free tickets, go here.

For other tips on going to the book fair, go here.

Almost forgot, the MIBF is held at the SMX Convention Center from Sept. 14 – 18, 2011.

Disclosure: I am not paid by any of the vendors I mentioned above nor did I receive anything from them in exchange for this post. I am merely sharing my experience and enjoyment with you. :)

 

OMF LIT is Giving Free Tickets to the 2011 Manila International Bookfair

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THIS FOR YOUR FREE ENTRANCE TO THE MIBF!

Once again it is time for the Manila International Bookfair!!! OMF Lit Bookshop, the premiere Christian bookshop in the country is giving away free tickets to the book fair. All you have to do is download the image above and print it. Bring it with your to the book fair and use for your free ticket. If you visit any of the OMF Lit Book Shops around the city, they are also giving these away.

There’s more! If you print and bring this postcard below to the booth, you can avail of 30% discounts on the books featured on the postcard:

 

Aside from the above, get more discounts as follows:

20% off on ALL OMF Lit local, republished and imported titles

10% additional discount when you flash your Kaibigan or Pastors' Exclusives card at the OMF Lit booths at MIBF

Outrageous discounts on our sale piles!

We'll also give a taste of the MIBF to our friends outside Manila! During the duration of the MIBF, all our Bookshops in Pampanga, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Gen San City will also be on sale with all titles at 20% off!

Events and Activities!!!

Storytelling activities for kids on September 14-16

Live broadcast of The Edge Radio on September 16

Words and Music (mini-concert and book excerpt reading) on September 17

Pinoy Christian Bloggers meet-up (date TBA)

Authors meet and greet

Joyce Piap Go - September 14

Francie Castaneda-Lacanilao - September 14

Grace Chong - September 14

Hiram Pangilinan - September 16

Gicky Soriano - September 16

Ronald Molmisa - September 17

So drop by the OMF Lit booth at Aisle D and enjoy all these exciting discounts, books and activities. Join us at the Manila International Book Fair on September 14-18, 2011, 10AM-8PM at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex

Would you like to win a free book from OMF Lit? Check out how you can win here.

 

Win a New Book from OMF Lit!

Would you like to win a new book from OMF Literature Bookshop? If so, here’s how to join this giveaway:





Don’t forget to leave me a comment on the comment section!


The winner will pick up the book from the OMF Lit Booth at the Manila International Book Fair.
For details and free tickets, please click here.


NEW BOOKS!!!
Great new titles from our homegrown writers

• Hula, Multo, Faith Healing Atbp by Pastor Hiram Pangilinan explains the different occult practices in the Philippines and how people can break free from them
• Meaningful Evangelism by Andy Smith talks about strategies for evangelism through relational principles
• Paano Maging Joyfully Single by Harold Sala, a Taglish translation of Joyfully Single
• Pass or Fail by Ronald Molmisa, a practical and relevant book that teaches young people how to be the best student ever (in Taglish format)
• Solo Flight by Grace Chong and Francie Castaneda-Lacanilao, a guide to single women and how they can make the most of their lives
• The Last Man Dancing: The Nestor de Villa Story by Gicky Soriano, a biography of Mr. De Villa and his faith journey, written by his son

Exciting new books from Hiyas, OMF Lit's inprint for children

• Oh Mateo 14: Tree for All by Grace Chong which teaches kids good stewardship and taking care of the environment
• The Great Crocodile and Duck Race by Robert Magnuson which teaches kids to get along while at play
• Bee Safe by Joyce Piap Go, a practical and informative book that teaches kids how to be safe in their environment
• My Very First Bible (smaller edition)

Something for everyone in our new republished titles

• Dopple Ganger Chronicles Vol 2: The Secret of Indigo Moon by G.P Taylor, a graphic novella featuring more adventures from twins Sadie and Saskia and their friend Eric
• Cupidity by Hayley and Michael DiMarco talks about 50 stupid things people do for love and how you can avoid them
• Making Room for Leadership by MaryKate Morse, a practical study on the gift of power of servant-leadership
• Relationship Principles of Jesus by Tom Holladay, a forty-day journey that will bring new health and richness to marriages, families, friendships, and all the relationships in our lives
• The Good and Beautiful Life and The Good and Beautiful Community by James Bryan Smith, the 2nd and 3rd books in The Apprentice series which shows the narratives that Jesus lived by
• Things I Wish I'd Known Before We Got Married by Gary Chapman, apractical little book, packed with wisdom and tips that will help many develop the loving, supportive and mutually beneficial marriage men and women long for
• Think by John Piper brings together the life of the mind and the love of God
• What Women Don't Know (and Men Don't Tell You) by Michelle McKinney Hammond and Joel A. Brooks Jr features the unspoken rules of finding lasting love
• Workplace Grace by William Carr Peel and Walt Larrimore which deals with becoming a spiritual influence at work

To get your free ticket to the 32nd Manila International Book Fair, click here.

Undergoing Discipline

Last year was a very good year for us financially. The Lord blessed us with a windfall and a good source of income for the whole year. We are so thankful to the Lord for blessing us.

When this year began, we were hopeful that this would be a better year. However, it was not to be. We lost a significant source of income for our family and we’ve had to adjust our lifestyle. For many months, I felt angry and bitter especially when I see our funds dwindling down to nothing and the next payday is still many days away. In my heart, I blamed the Lord and was angry at Him for allowing this to happen. I learned through one of my book reviews that if God can give us good things, then He can also give us ‘bad things’.

Of course, I couldn’t let myself dwell on my anger and bitterness (I admit I did). For the good of our family, I had to learn to buckle down and tighten our belts. I learned to become organized in my bill paying to make sure that we don’t get any of our utilities disconnected. Every payday meant listing down everything we had to pay. Writing a paid sign on my list gave me so much pleasure and made me grateful to the Lord for His provisions.

The giving of tithes was a continuous struggle for hubby and me. Though we knew it is God’s command to give the first and best of our income or produce, there are many times when we would succumb to Satan’s deception that if we don’t give the tithe, it would be just enough to pay for this or that bill. I gave myself many excuses and looked to other people’s opinions about the giving of tithes. I heard so many different opinions about it that I began questioning it. I realized that people’s opinions don’t matter. When I went back to the Bible for God’s command, I saw that His command is simple: Give the full tithe and He will bless us with much, much more.

At this point in time, I have come to realize how blessed we are that we went through this lean period. What I first saw as God’s punishment for us, I now see as part of His discipline. Now I see how blessed we are. Hubby and I learned much about planning our budget, giving our tithes and praying together about all of our concerns.

My Bible reading this morning confirms it:

DISCIPLINE

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

   “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
      and don’t give up when he corrects you.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
      and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?  If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.  Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.  No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.  Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

Hebrews 12:5-13, NLT

It is a continuous process of discipline. Everyday I still struggle. I am thankful, though, because it makes me want to pray to Him more and more. The Lord is good! 

 

HOMESCHOOLING FINANCE 101 by Mr. Chinkee Tan

 

* Mr. Tan would like to address the whole family so he wants the parents to come with the children.

* Open to non-homeschooling families.

* The family fee of P100.00 is for the whole family whether big or small.

* Please bring potbless snacks to share with the whole group.

* Registration begins 2:00PM.

All other pertinent info is on the flyer above.

See you all there!

Playing Hurt: A Guy's Strategy for a Winning Marriage by Brian Goins, Book Tour, Review and GIVEAWAY

About Playing Hurt:

A marriage book that husbands will actually want to read!

Everyone admires people who play hurt, from the superstar athlete to the journeyman player who finishes the game even when hurt, sick, or falling apart. Everyone looks up to these athletes and wants to mimic their “never give up” attitude. Except when it comes to marriage. Most husbands are willing to take a bullet for their wives in a life-and-death situation; but when his bride fires the bullet--hurls an insult, disrespects him in public, ignores his foreplay in private--he’d rather throw in the towel than play through the pain.

Playing Hurt is a biblical playbook for marriage that speaks in the language most men understand—the language of sports. Using a sports analogy to explain the motivation, means, and methods of playing hurt, author Brian Goins shows men how to overcome the temptation to stay on the bench. Playing Hurt is more about inspiration than instruction. It’s about finding the motivation to stay in the game, despite the pain. It’s about becoming like the One who knew more about nails and thorns than any superstar athlete. Using Ephesians 5 as a biblical basis, this book will call husbands to be the heroes they long to be--men who play hurt in order to win at marriage.


MY REVIEW:

Playing Hurt is a book geared for men, not only husbands but also those who plan to marry in the future. As such, it's a good thing that this book is thin enough for those men who don't find it a joy to read such as my husband. As much as I wanted my husband to read this, I was only able to get him to read a few pages of it. With that, he was able to say that he believes that it is a good book and that he is willing to read it in the future. 

As I read through it, at first I found it hard to understand because Brian Goins is addressing men. Apart from that, he used sports people as a pattern for playing hurt and I'm not a big fan of sports. However, as I got to the part when he explained that Jesus Christ should be a man's model for loving his wife, that's where I started to appreciate the book.

Goins helps men to see how important it is to keep their eyes on Jesus as they deal with hurts in their marriages. He encourages them to keep on and play hurt until they reach victory in their marriages. He tells men to stay and work through their problems with their wives and not to take the easy way out. He affirms that even if they may never get the same glory as their favorite athletes, they can be heroes to their wives, too.

I really appreciate that this book was written. It is a message that men need to hear when divorce and separation is the immediate answer to difficulties in marriages. This is not only for those undergoing trials but for those who are just trying to work out their marriages and hoping that they stay married as long as they live.  This book actually helped to open my eyes and appreciate how my husband is persevering through our trials. I will suggest to my husband that he read this book together with his men's fellowship.  

Read other reviews from Litfuse bloggers.

Video Trailer:

About the Brian Goins:

Brian Goins is the author or editor of numerous study guides, workbooks, and Bible studies that he has developed for Insight for Living (Chuck Swindoll) and Walk Through the Bible. When he’s not traveling across the country as a Family Life Weekend to Remember speaker, he and his family reside in North Carolina.

GIVEAWAY!

Kregel Publications is sponsoring a $50 Amazon.com giveaway open to both you, my blog readers. 

About the Giveaway!

To enter all you have to do is send a tweet (using @litfuse) about Playing Hurt or share about it on Facebook!

If you tweet we'll capture your entry when you use @litfuse. If you share it on Facebook or your blog, just email us and let us know ([email protected]). Easy. 

Not sure what to tweet/post? Here's an idea.

TWEET THIS:  Playing Hurt by Brian Goins-coaches men to win the 1 game that truly matters–marriage! http://ow.ly/6arVa RT 4 a chance at $50! @litfuse

FACEBOOK THIS: Everyone admires people who play hurt, from the superstar athlete to the journeyman player who finishes the game even when hurt, sick, or falling apart. Everyone looks up to these athletes and wants to mimic their "never give up" attitude. Except when it comes to marriage. Learn more: Playing Hurt by Brian Goins http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13375058  

                   

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for this review. 

A Time to Rest

Since July, our family has not been without sickness. I had a major asthma attack last July and I had to stay in the hospital three days for this. This attack was brought on by the stress of having my children sick all at the same time. If you've been following my blog, you'd notice that my children tend to pass the virus to each other. This, most likely, is the consequence of staying at home all the time. When one child is sick, the other children become sick, too. The weather, too, was a contributor. It's been hot, rainy, stormy and hot again the last couple of months so our allergies are acting up. 

Last month, I landed in the hospital once more because of hypoglycemia due to dieting. That's another blog post altogether. Just a week after coming home from the hospital, I found myself having to confine our Artsy Princess in the hospital for pneumonia. This was further compounded by Guitar Babe and Flash Boy also having prolonged cough and colds. At one point, we thought we might have to confined Guitar Babe, too. Good thing, she was able to fight it off.

After six long days in the hospital, the doctor finally sent Artsy Princess home. We both were excited because we missed the whole family. We felt like doing the Twist and tear and boogie woogie dance. But of course we didn't or the nurses might think we're strange. 

We're home at last, and all together. We missed each other so much. Guitar Babe is feeling much better but we're still waiting for Flash Boy's cough to resolve. Artsy Princess is much better but she is still on some meds. We praise God that Sunshine Princess is healthy and well.

Now it is time to rest.

Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin : Blog Tour, Giveaway and Review

Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin is a beautiful love story set in the midst of the second World War. It is a story of hope, courage, trusting in God and overcoming severe trials. 

The story centers around Lt. Raymond Novak, a preacher  and  pilot whose job is to train B-17 pilots before they go and fight in the war, and Helen Carlisle - a beautiful and young war widow and mother of a four year old boy. While Ray has been training young men to fight in the war, he himself has never gone off in a real battle. This posed a real challenge for him in light of his two brothers who are already off fighting in the war. Helen hides a painful past from everybody and pretends to be a grieving widow. Their love grows as Helen continues to struggle between pretending to be a grieving widow and a woman happy to have found a new love. To ease his pain at being perceived as weak, Ray decides to fly a combat mission. This thrusts their new and blooming love into a river of doubt and halts their budding romance. Both will continue to struggle and face even bigger challenges that place their lives at risk, but God's love and grace will shine through their lives as they finally meet their struggles head on. 

MY THOUGHTS:

At first, I wasn't excited to read this book because I don't like experiencing the pain and grief of people in war. I don't particularly like any movie or story about the war because it just leaves me in raw pain and grief. This book was different, however, because the focus was on the love story between Ray and Helen and God's love for His people. It is an inspiring novel of  hope and courage despite very hard trials. Sarah Sundin writes beautifully, transporting the reader to that period with realistic descriptions of events and places. 

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity in exchange for this review. 

About the book:

Lt. Raymond Novak prefers the pulpit to the cockpit, but at least his stateside job training B-17 pilots allows him the luxury of a personal life. As he courts Helen Carlisle, a young war widow and mother who conceals her pain under a frenzy of volunteer work, the sparks of their romance set a fire that flings them both into peril. After Ray leaves to fly a combat mission at the peak of the air war over Europe, Helen takes a job in a dangerous munitions yard and confronts an even graver menace in her own home. Will they find the courage to face their challenges? And can their young love survive until blue skies return?

Want more? Read the press release.

About Sarah:

Sarah Sundin received the 2011 Writer of the Year Award from the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, and her second novel A Memory Between Us is a finalist for an Inspirational Readers' Choice Award. Her stories are inspired by her great-uncle who flew with the U.S. Eighth Air Force inEngland during World War II. 

Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.  Visit with Sarah online at www.sarahsundin.com.

Kindle Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of Blue Skies Tomorrow, the final installment of the Wings of Glory series, Sarah is giving one lucky winner A Vintage Kindle Prize Package! 

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One winner will receive:

* Kindle with Wi-Fi

* Handmade vintage apron for you and a friend (see a photo here)

* Blue Skies Tomorrow (for Kindle)

To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, giveaway ends on 9/10. Winner will be announced on 9/12 at Sarah Sundin's blog. Details and official rules can be found when entering the contest.

Litfuse Blog Tour & Giveaway: Amish Values for Your Family by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Amish Values for Your Family by Suzanne Woods Fisher contains short and true stories of Amish family life. It includes topics about family, marriage, relationships and hard work. It shows how Amish families value God, forgiveness, obedience among many other things that they value. 

My Review:

I can tell by the way Suzanne Woods Fisher has written the book how much she loves her Amish background. It is beautifully written with stories that show what the Amish value in their lives. It is so encouraging and Bible-based that you know you can also apply it to your own family even if you are not Amish. The stories touched me especially those about forgiveness. Forgiveness is one of those things that's very hard for me to do and I realized this when I read this book. So I decided that I will try and be more forgiving in my life. 

It also made me appreciate their simple way of living. In reading Amish Values for Your Family, I wonder now if we can also live simply and forego all those worldly trappings that we seem so attracted to. One of the things that I would like to apply to our family is to hedge our day with daily Bible reading - to read a passage of the Bible in the morning and in the evening. Though we read our Bibles, we don't do it in a disciplined manner. I'd like to try and apply this to our family believing that this will not only give more structure to our daily life, but more importantly, it will give the message to our children that it is important that we go to God daily. 

If you're looking for ways to bring about a positive change in your families, I highly recommend reading Amish Values for Your Family,

Read the reviews here.


About the book:

It offers loving ways to bring your fractured home back to life-Amish style. Read it and apply generously! It's a beautiful book-funny, charming, soulful, and beautiful."-Mary-Ann Kirkby, author of I Am Hutterite

For readers who long for strong families that know how to truly enjoy life together, there is much to learn from the Amish. Values like community, forgiveness, simple living, obedience, and more can be your family legacy--without selling your car, changing your wardrobe, or moving out to farm country.

In Amish Values for Your Family, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher shows how you can adopt the wisdom of the Amish when it comes to family matters. In this inspiring and practical book readers will find charming true stories interlaced with solid, biblical advice about parenting, marriage, and all aspects of family life. As readers get an intimate glimpse into the everyday lives of real Amish families, they will learn to prioritize what's truly important, simplify decision-making, slow down as a family, safeguard time together, and let go when the time comes.

About Suzanne:

Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. She has many, many Plain relatives living in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and travels back to Pennsylvania, as well as to Ohio, a couple of times each year for research.

Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world.  In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don't have to "go Amish" to incorporate many of their principles--simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily-- into your life.

When Suzanne isn't writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne's way of thinking, you just can't take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is thrilled to announce the release of Amish Values for Your Family, her latest non-fiction release. "It offers loving ways to bring your fractured home back to life-Amish style. Read it and apply generously! It’s a beautiful book-funny, charming, soulful, and beautiful." -Mary Ann Kirkby

Read the reviews here.

To celebrate the release of Amish Values for Your Family, Suzanne has teamed up her publisher Revell Books to giveaway a Kindle, and with Bill Coleman (the amazing photographer used on Suzanne’s book covers) to give away a signed Bill Coleman original.

One Grand Prize winner will receive an Amish Values Prize Package (valued at over $200) and includes:

* A brand new KINDLE
* A Signed Bill Coleman original
* Amish Values for Your Family (for KINDLE)

Click on one of the icons to enter. Winner will be announced on 9/2 at Suzanne’s blog. Be sure to stop by the blogs on Suzanne’s blog tour – many have copies of Amish Values for Your Family to give away.

But, wait there's more! Suzanne is running a Bill Coleman caption contest during the month of August on her blog. Title one of Bill’s gorgeous photos for a chance to win a print from Bill’s Amish Photo site and/or a copy of Amish Values for Your Family.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for this review.