AND THE WINNER IS…

Congratulations Jennifer Clark Vihel, you won a copy of, My Battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, by Beckie Butcher.


Please send me your address via email so I can ship it off to you.


Thanks everyone for stopping by my blog.


Blessings,
Kym

WELCOME AUTHOR BECKIE BUTCHER

Beckie graduated from Elgin Community College in 1997 with an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology. She has always enjoyed cooking,and in 2005,she became a cookbook author after her cookbook,"Feeding The Flock" was published. Another one is in the works. She is a Life Member of the Cooking Club of America as well as a product tester for them. As of May 21st of this year, she's a field editor for Taste of Home Magazine and in July she'll have three recipes published in Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks.

In 2008,Beckie was inducted into Cambridge Who's Who in Executives,Professionals and Entreprenuers of which she's a Lifetime Member.

She attend Hosanna,Lutheran Church in St.Charles,Illinois,and along with two other ladies,created a cooking group designed for fellowship and community outreach.

The major influences in her life have been her parents, grandmother,and all her dear friends. Every one of them have encouraged her to follow her dreams and have supported her every step of the way.



Q: When did the idea to write this book come about?

A: Somebody mentioned it to me a couple of years ago.

Q: What other books/short stories/articles/poems have you written, whether published or not?

A: I wrote a small cookbook in 2005 compiled of 150 recipes from family and friends. Once I became ill, however, I was unable to market it.

Q: What was your greatest roadblock in writing this book, and how did you overcome it?

A: It was very hard for me to write. It brought back all the emotions and sadness I felt when I first found out I was ill. It brought back memories of how I felt when I thought my life was over; I cried like a baby all over again. I got over this by letting it all out, taking a deep breath and telling myself how important it was that I write this book.. I had to tell my story and spread the word CFS is real and there is hope for those who suffer.

Q: What advice would you give to others that have a desire to write about their own trials and tribulations?

A: Do it, even if it’s difficult for you, because chances are there are more people than you think who are going through the same issue(s) you are. People like and need to read about other peoples’ experiences and learn from them. People need to know they are not alone, not matter what their issues are. You never know who you might reach or whose life you might change by reaching out and sharing your story.

Q: What fact about you that your readers would find interesting, and maybe even surprising.

A: The anger I wrote about. I don’t talk about it much and I don’t show my emotions in public. I wrote about how dark I had become inside due to anger. THAT I think would surprise a lot of people.

Q: When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with?

A: Knowledge, understanding, and tolerance for this disease. There aren’t very much of any of these out there. I also want CFS sufferers and their loved ones/caregivers to know they are not alone and there IS hope for them.

You can visit Beckie's website at, http://booksbybec.webs.com/

For a chance to win an autographed copy of Beckie's book:

For each of the following, your name will be entered into the drawing:

1) Leave a comment with your email address or check back later for the winner. If you won, you’ll need to email me your information.
2) Become a follower on this blog.
3) Leave a comment on my Youtube video.

Make sure to let me know with your comment what you’ve done.

I can only ship in the US. Drawing will be done on April 29th, 2012. Please check back to see if you've won if you didn't leave your email address. If I don't have your email address and haven't heard from you by the DATE, I'll draw another name

LEARN WHAT LIES BETWEEN THE PAGES OF THE DISCOVERY

Title: THE DISCOVERY
Author: Dan Walsh
Publisher: Revell; Original edition (April 1, 2012)
Pages: 352

I have to say THE DISCOVERY is my favorite DAN WALSH novel. I loved what MR. WALSH did with the storyline. I thought it to be wonderfully unique. The fact that he added history in was an added plus, just the right touch to give me a glimpse into the times without bogging me down with boring details. The voices of Michael and Ben were distinctly different.

Michael Warner’s grandfather passes away and with his passing leaves Michael his home. What he discovers will unravel family secrets beyond Michael’s imagination.

I loved the story of Ben and Claire. In many books you get to know the character before they die, so when they do you feel the loss. With THE DISCOVERY the initial death holds little meaning. In this wonderful novel things change and in doing so, by the end of the story you’re mourning the death. Brilliant!

While reading Ben and Claire’s story I completely forgot that Michael was reading it, so emerged in Ben and Claire’s tale I was.

The story may have been slow to start, but once you hit page seventy it takes off, making it hard to put down. I especially enjoyed the references to the past. My grandfather was a musician. The mention of the old time bands provided a wonderful trip down memory lane.

A WINNER EVERY TIME

Title: Her Lone Star Cowboy
Author: Debra Clopton
Publisher: Love Inspired (March 20, 2012)
Pages: 224

DEBRA CLOPTON is one author that I continually look for her books. Each time I finish one I wish there were another waiting for to read. I own every single one she’s written. As soon as I heard the time was approaching for HER LONE STAR COWBOY to hit the stores, I started scanning the bookshelves. When I spotted it I was tempted to give someone nearby a high-five.

Jessie Holden has been hiding from his awful past. One he’d rather forget. When he meets the ever cheerful Gabi Newberry, she disrupts his years of confirmed bachelorhood, his anger towards the past, and issues he has with God.

Gabi may be a new believer but she doesn’t let that stop her from telling anyone in her path about her love for the Lord. That includes the handsome cowboy who seems to think his mission in life is to rescue her.

Once again MS CLOPTON has written a story with characters that will grab you and not let go. There were several memorable lines that made my jaw drop or put a smile on my face. I loved the characters stories. Gabi is not your typical heroine. I loved how she latches on to her new found faith and wants to shout it to the world.

Jessie, just like all the male characters in MS CLOPTON’S books, is one that will have your heart beating double time. You just can’t help but fall in love with him. MS CLOPTON continues to write exceptional stories with a path that will keep you guessing.

In HER LONE STAR COWBOY you get more than just a glimpse into Jessie’s brother’s life, Colt. You get involved, left yearning to read the rest of his story. Can’t wait for HER HOMECOMING COWBOY coming out in August 2012.

ACFW APRIL 2012 NEW RELEASES

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

The Mother Road by Jennifer AlLee -- Sometimes, the end of the road is just the beginning... (Women's Fiction from Abingdon Press).

Race Against Time by Christy Barritt -- Were it not for her cop neighbor, widowed mother Madison Jacobs would be dead. Thankfully, Detective Brody Philips interrupts an attempt on her life in the nick of time. But the would-be killer hasn't given up, and each tick of the clock brings the madman closer to finishing what he started. Brady vows to catch the serial killer plaguing the sleepy Virginia town...especially when he realizes the danger has followed him from the big city. With everyone around him at risk, it'll take everything Brody's got to do his duty and keep Madison and her son safe. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired).

Always the Designer, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker -- It's taken Audrey Regan years to establish herself as a wedding dress designer, and to date she's been roped into creating dresses for nine of her girlfriends. Request #10 follows her vow to "Just say no!" and comes from her very best friend. She can hardly turn Carly down! Audrey arrives in Atlanta early to perform all of her maid-of-honor duties along with final fittings for a one-of-a-kind dress. But Carly's wedding is nothing short of an event, complete with Prince Charming, and the festivities make Audrey question whether there's a prince of her own anywhere in her future (Contemporary Romance from Abingdon Press).

A Love Rekindled by Margaret Daley -- Zane Davidson and Kim Walters were sweethearts years ago, but he betrayed her love. Now he's the only one who can help Kim rebuild her family. Can their love be rekindled? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired).

Cowgirl Trail by Susan Page Davis -- When a rancher's cowboys go on strike, his daughter enlists her girlfriends to help her finish the roundup and cattle drive. (Historical from River North (Moody)).

Lady Anne's Quest by Susan Page Davis -- Lady Anne must give her uncle important news--but somebody wants to stop her. (Historical from Barbour).

The Chase by DiAnn Mills -- To FBI Special Agent Tigo Harris, it's a cold case, but to writer Kariss Walker it's a story that she has to write despite the danger. (Romantic Suspense from Zondervan).

A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island by Cara Putman -- Mackinac Island is accessible only by ferry or small plane. Its laid back pace, sans cars, is the perfect place to recover from hurt—unless the injury occurred there. As Alanna Stone tries to reconcile past to present she discovers her future lies in learning to listen to God. (Romantic Mystery from Barbour).

Brush of Angel's Wing by Ruth Reid -- Rachel and Jordan's feelings for each other are hostile at first, but angelic intervention helps the two discover peace . . . and perhaps love. (Contemporary Romance from Thomas Nelson).

The Quakers of New Garden byJennifer Hudson Taylor, Claire Sanders, Anne E. Shrock, Sussette Williams -- Four Quaker women face challenges of the heart. Ruth hesitates to give her bridegroom a third chance at love. Underground Railroad worker Deborah meets a bounty hunter. Leah tries to turn a marriage of convenience into a marriage of love. Christian Jaidon falls for Quaker Catherine. Will love endure in their hearts and lives? (Historical Romance from Barbour).

The Discovery by Dan Walsh -- The Discovery is a richly woven novel filled with romance, suspense and intrigue that explores the incredible sacrifices that must be made to forge the love of a lifetime. (Historical from Revell).

Need You Now by Beth Wiseman -- Experience a family's triumphant defeat over lies, betrayal, and loss while still clinging to the One who matters most. (Women's Fiction from Thomas Nelson).

ASTOUNDING

Title: Second World
Author: R.M. Wagoner
Publisher: CreateSpace (September 20, 2011)
Pages: 170

As I started SECOND WORLD by RM WAGONER, I didn’t know what to expect. In the beginning I wasn’t sure where the story was going, but it was so well written and intrigued me enough to keep me turning the pages. When I realized what direction it was headed, I was hooked.

Clare’s family is anything but normal. Her father is temperamental, her mother emotionless, and her older sister bossy. Young Clare escapes her dysfunctional family while encountering supernatural forces, and embarks on a journey that will forever change her destiny.

For a book with only 170 pages, it packs a powerful punch. It’s beautifully crafted and filled with wisdom. Two books came to mind while reading SECOND WORLD, The Shack, by William P Young, and Hind Feet on High Places, by Hannah Hurnard.

It takes more than just good writing to produce a great book. It takes a well carried out plot, three-dimensional, fully developed characters, writing that is paced well, words that flow naturally, believable action, consequences, and dialogue that work. One that makes you forget you’re reading a story, so emerged in the pages you’ll be. SECOND WORLD was all of that and so much more.

I was speechless as the story neared the end. I was jolted into tears and left deep in thought, needing moments to absorb the story that unfolded in the course of only a few short days. The insight to good and evil that is in this world, along with God’s goodness and grace is astounding. The author pulled off faith woven in such a natural way you don’t feel preached too.

SECOND WORLD would make a wonderful addition to the classics in most schools now days as part of their curriculum. What a refreshing read for young adults as well as any age. I fear my words will fail do this book justice. If this is MS WAGONER’S first published book, I can’t wait to see what she has in store for the future.