Starring Me by Krista McGee

Somewhat of a sequel to Krista McGee's first novel, First Date, Starring Me tells the story of Addy's friend, Kara McKormick. Although being part of the reality TV show was an enjoyable experience, Kara is thrilled when the opportunity arises for her to be able to embrace her true love, acting. When she is invited to audition for a teen variety show, she jumps at the chance, little realizing how much the audition is going to change not only the course of her future, but her outlook on life as well.
After reading the first book by this talented author, I couldn't wait to read Starring Me! The characters are fresh and fun. I especially like that the secondary characters are more than just props, that they actually go through character development too. I think there is a real need for clean, cute teen fiction. Even if you aren't a teenager, this series is a fun read.

Chase small business grant

My sister and I are applying for the small business grant that Chase is offering. Unfortunatly, we just found out about it and only have a week to get 250 votes so we can qualify for the next phase of the grant.
What does this have to do with you? We need your help to get the 250 votes! So, if you could please go here: https://www.missionsmallbusiness.com/ and vote for Sweet Sisters, we would be most appreciative!

This Scarlet Cord by Joan Wolf

Based on the Biblical story of Rahab and her family in the land of Canaan, saving the spies when the Israelites go against Jericho and bring the wall down. Joan Wolf puts the story in a whole different light, focusing instead on how Rahab became a part of the lineage of Jesus Christ.
Kidnapped by slave traders when she was a little girl, Rahab is saved by a young Israelite and returned to her family. Now, as a stunning young woman, she meets up with Sala again and is sent on an adventure that will change the destination of her life and the lives of her family.
This novel is an interesting fictional twist on a Biblical story. I found it a bit hard to get into at first, but once you get into the story, it goes pretty quickly.:D The story is one of palace intrigue, a house divided, and the Israelites longing to inhabit the promise land. Its a unique approach to how Rahab became part of Christ's lineage. It shows how God can take the weak things of the world to execute His power.
My only complaint is that a lot of the characters are incredibly perfect and I would rather have an endearing, imperfect character because they are easier to love and relate to.

To Write a Wrong by Robin Caroll

A museum theft gone horribly wrong, leaving one man dead and another behind bars.
With her writing career on the line, Riley Baxter thinks she found her big break when she hears a young girl insisting on her father's innocence concerning the crime that put him in prison. Can Riley write a wrong before its to late?
This is the first book that I have read by Robin Caroll. While I enjoyed the story line immensely, I think it would of been better to have read the other Justice Seekers books before you read this one, since it references the other stories in a way that you need to know what happened before in order to fully appreciate this story.

first of ten

I don't think I can come up with ten secrets about myself, so I will bend it a bit and do ten little known things about me. Or, perhaps just random tidbits, since I can be pretty random. lol.

1. My diploma arrived in the mail yesterday! Oddly enough, when I opened it and saw the very official document in it was when I felt like I had truly finished college.;) I thought it would be when I completed my last Algebra class, but taking the final didn't leave me feeling any different.;)

2. I hated math (with a passion!) in high school, since I felt like I never "got" Algebra. There are other reasons I am glad to have gone back to school, but one of the biggest is that it gave me a new appreciation for math. I don't love the subject, but I now feel like I understand it a lot better. I just have to think of it as a puzzle to solve.;)

3. We are tearing down the old wood lath, plaster, and insulation in (what will be) the master bedroom of the house. Call me crazy, but it is oddly invigorating to haul all the old stuff out and imagine what the room will look like when the new walls are up and the floor is re-done. *happy sigh*

4. I used to be a huge fan of Diet Coke, but decided to quit drinking it since there is no health benefit to it.;) I quit drinking it around the first of the year. Its amazing how some things no longer even appeal to you after you have been away from it for some time.;) Its like "Why did I like that stuff again?".

5. I don't eat gravy. I'm not really a picky person when it comes to food, so its weird that I don't like gravy. I'm pretty sure that I have never liked it. The only exception would be biscuits and gravy made over a camp fire. Now, that's living.;)

6. I totally respected Andrew as a friend when we were younger, but I wasn't so keen on the idea of being in a romantic relationship with him. I am proof that girls don't always know what is good for them.;) I'm glad I listened to my mom and gave him a chance! lol.

7. Despite what Andrew thinks, I am not a huge fan of shopping. If I don't really need anything and there isn't really a great deal to be had on something I need, I would much rather be at home, doing something productive.

8. After the bat invasion last summer, mice (which used to terrify me) are now adorable in comparison.;) We had one living in our house for a while and I thought it was cute. lol. Though, it had to go, since I didn't want to share our food with it.;) To bad we couldn't of made a deal for it to just eat the crumbs off the floor, as then I could of kept it as a pet.;)

9. For some reason, I have always wanted to go to the UK, particularly Scotland. Perhaps someday...:D

10. One of our big dreams is to buy a farm (40 acres would be a good start;)) and try to be self sufficient. Still working out the logistics of how that would work, but it would be nice to live off the grid. We have plans for what we would grow and raise.:D

So, there you have it! This may (okay, in all reality, I'm sure it will be) wind up being a ten post challenge instead of ten day challenge.;)

Glamorous Illusions by Lisa T. Bergren

Prepare to be swept away in the first book of a trilogy set in the Edwardian era. Cora Diehl spends the school year working on completing her teaching degree and spending the breaks from school helping her parents homestead. Life is hard in Montana, along with predictable. When she returns home for the summer to discover that her papa has had a stroke, things quickly spiral out of control. When the series of events brings to light the mysterious giver of expensive gifts through the years, Cora's life is forever changed. Sent on a Grand Tour pf Europe with new found friends and family, Cora must figure out who she really is and what God might have in store for her. While the premise of the story is a bit unbelievable (that's why its called fiction, I suppose), since it is quite the rags to riches tale, the tale is still a cute one. Even though it is unbelievable, the story and characters still have depth to them. There is more going on in the story line, without being to dramatic. I enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it if you are looking for a good, light read.

Through Rushing Water

Sophia Makinoff has her life all planned out. Teaching through an all girl college in the 1870's has put her in the path of a up and coming congressman who would make the perfect husband for her. When "the perfect man" proposes to another, Sophia again makes plans on her own to become a missionary to China, in hopes of returning to her beloved Russia. When she is sent to teach on the Ponco Indian reservation, Sophia learns to walk by faith, plant her feet on solid ground, and ignore the rushing waters around her. Sophia learns to be a person of influence when she lets God lead. To be quite frank, I didn't care for Sophia for the first few chapters. Through the story, she develops into a much more sympathetic and likable character though, showing the reader that we all change and mature as we go through life. I can honestly say that by the end of the book, I liked the characters and loved the story. Its a beautiful novel about the Ponca tribe and the injustices of the governments treatment of the Native Americans.

Angel Eyes

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Brielle Matthews finds this out first hand when she looses her best friend in a tragic accident. Heading home, broken and blaming herself, she soon realizes that she is in the midst of a spiritual battle and that all is not as it seems with her friends death. Meeting up with Jake Shield couldn't of come at a better time. Is it just coincidence, or is a higher power at work? This is the authors first novel, and a wonderful first offering it is! I look forward to reading more of her books, since it leaves you on the edge of your seat, wanting more. This is not just another well written, but fluffy, story. I like that there is a lot of deeper meanings and conversations. This novel leaves you thinking about the heavenly. I look forward to the sequel!

Beauty to Die For

At 24 years old, Juliette Taylor was at the peak of her career as a supermodel. And yet, the world was a lonely place, leaving her vulnerable and on the verge of a melt down, since no one understood what her life was like. Crying out to God, a chance encounter throws her in the path of another individual who is asking many of the same questions. Neither of them are the same after meeting. 25 years later, Juliette is now the owner of her own line of beauty care products and dealing with a major problem regarding a terrorist cell counterfeiting her product to raise funds for their own schemes. When she does a weekend retreat at one of the spas that carries her products, things quickly spiral in a scary direction. Acclaimed mystery writer, Mindy Starns Clark, has teamed up with former supermodel, Kim Alexis, to give us not only another great mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat, but will also give one a glimpse in the life of supermodels. The story also informs people of the danger in purchasing counterfeit goods, which I didn't realize could fund terrorist activities, but also be manufactured through slave labor and include some nasty ingredients. Even though the main character is suppose to be a former supermodel, I appreciated that the focus of the story was on faith and health, instead of on outward beauty. I give this novel two thumbs up!