The Guardian Duke: Book Review & Giveaway

I just finished reading The Guardian Duke by Jamie Carie, released this month. She is not a Christian fiction author that I have read before. But, I can tell you, I will be looking for her books to read in the future, especially since the book above is promised to have a series, a three book series! It totally left me in suspense. 

A suspense of Christian historical romance and mystery.

What more could I want in a book?

Oh yeah, book #2 in the Forgotten Castles series, Forgiven Duke, which is promised Summer 2012!

Here is more about Jamie Carie:

"When she was six, Jamie’s parents met Jesus and soon after started a church. It changed everything. Road trips with her dad—to and from Bible studies across Indiana—were filled with talks of things beyond earth’s bounds – creation and the fall, God and Jesus and the rapture, the earthly walk compared to the spiritual walk, and how we are born for more than what we can see or touch.
The highlight of those nights was stopping at a truck stop in the middle of the night where her dad would spend a little of the offering basket on two slices of pie and a couple of Cokes. Nothing ever felt so special as a middle of the night slice of pie with her dad. And nothing could stop the writing pouring out of her.
As Jamie’s relationship with God grew, she discovered her heart was filled with songs and poetry. During high school she wrote lyrics for her brother’s band. (And she sang them too!) After college, Jamie married, had two sons and decided to stay home with them. While she homeschooled she wrote skits, poems, plays and short stories for school and church.
When her eldest son turned five she dove into the world of novels. She’d read romance novels for years, but couldn’t relate to the flawless, saintly heroines in Christian romance novels. So she decided to write her own.
Snow Angel was born on a frosty night in an old farmhouse in Fishers, Indiana, where the cold floor gave plenty of motivation for the snow scene. Jamie loves to write late at night when the house is quiet and the darkness seems alive. Elizabeth and Noah had been playacting in herhead for a long time, so the story went fast.
Ten years later Snow Angel was published and won the ForeWord magazine Romance Book of the Year winner, was a National “Best Books 2007” Awards winner, and a 2008 RITA Awards® Best First Book finalist. It was the beginning of her dream career.
Jamie and her husband Tony have been married for twenty-one years and live in Indianapolis with their three sons and a giant of a dog named Leo.
If she could only say one thing to her readers it would be, “Live the dreams God has destined you for!”

I am not going to tell you any more about the book, but show you this trailer. I scanned the QR code on the back of the book and this trailer came up before I read the book. I couldn't wait to read it. All books should have a trailer.

Now, which one of my readers would like their very own copy of this book to add to their personal library? All I ask is that you leave a comment telling me who your favorite Christian fiction author is. The other entries are optional.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ForgottenCastles

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Duke-Forgotten-Castles-Novel/dp/1433673223/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328570148&sr=8-1

One Sheet: http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/books/products.asp?p=9781433673221

USA Today Review: http://books.usatoday.com/happyeverafter/post/2012-02-04/review-the-guardian-duke-by-jamie-carie/620195/1

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Hoops (A 5th Grader's Essay)

Braden is preparing for his 5th Grade writing test. In doing so he has been practice writing a few essays. I ran across the following and decided that it needed to be posted here at The 4-Crow's, after all this blog is about living, laughing, LEARNING, and loving from our nest.(I am not going to correct any grammatical, punctuation, or other errors. Please remember he is in 5th grade. It is so hard when he is doing these assignments, not to correct everything and make it my own words with my own grammatical corrections, but I know he has to learn. I am rather proud that I might not be the only writer in my family- fingers crossed that he will be the one to figure out how to make the big bucks, who knows, maybe it will be writing or even shooting HOOPS!)

Hoopsby Braden

My first time to learn something was when I was 8. I just learned to shoot baskets, in Basketball. And while I was shooting I became better and better at it.
Even if I missed I'd put it back up. And sometimes for training I shot Free Throws, played Knockout, played horse, and even around the world. I know that stuff was easy stuff because mostly you shoot closer towards the basket.
But not for me because I'm good at 3-Pointers. But Here's a lesson the closer you get the better you make it. And also what I learned was to dribble.
When I started dribbling was probably when, I guess out in the driveway. I mean usually you learn when your in your Basketball practice. But the main thing is don't start crossing or under your legs until someone teaches you.
But the important way to play Basketball is play with courage or talents. And I'm not saying as talent as in watching NBA player's be showoffs. but the most Important things of things be yourself.

Cooper and Me and the Military: Book Review & Giveaway

I can only imagine, read, watch, listen and pray daily for our military troops and their families. I do not have a close family member currently deployed. My niece's fiance will soon be going to Afghanistan, and I have a cousin who will be going to England. I have had lots of family members who have been in active military duty and would do it again if asked. They have never regretted their decision to serve our country. You may even remember at Thanksgiving this past year when we had my friend/Kaybrie's ballet teacher and her girls over for Thanksgiving dinner. Her husband Charlie was due home anytime from Iraq, but kept getting delayed. I am proud to say that I have also taught my children to respect and pray for those who serve and protect us and those who stand by them daily, their families.

When asked to review the new Cooper and Me book, written for children by Monique and Alexa Peters, I was so excited. It was another opportunity for me to share with my children about the life of those in the Military. Here is an overview of the book.

"Meet Trooper, Cooper’s best friend, and learn how he was adopted by Gracie and Joe and their parents, who both serve in the military. Find out how this family stays close despite being separated.

A must-read during patriotic holidays and for anyone with friends and family in the military, this book helps children know, that even when loved ones aren’t with us, they still love us and think about us. This book, along with all the other books in the Cooper and Me series, includes these interactive features:

• A Special Memory Creation

• Life Lesson

• Connections

• Learning Together

In addition to a fun adventure, each Cooper and Me story teaches an important Life Lesson and features interactive materials at the back of the book to drive the message home.  Included are activities that help children name and process their own feelings about what they’ve read."

If I haven't said it before, I love these books. I love the use phonics, rhyme and the illustrations. Cooper is so adorable. My daughter loves him also, these books are a wonderful addition to our library.

Here are a few additional places to go and learn more about these books:

Website: http://www.cooperandme.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooper-and-Me-Inc/214695101924101

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/cooper_and_me

Now, which one of The 4-Crow's readers would like a copy of this book to add to their own library? All you have to do is fill out the easy Rafflecopter entry form below! 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Today's Post...

...is at The RHOK!

It's a month for HEART's in more than one way! 

Love and Health.

Today I am showing you my crafty side for love and giving!

I tell you about Secret Cupid at my nest, a craft that we will be making at Braden's Valentine Party, and show you once again the candy cane lollipops that I made for Kaybrie's birthday party and will be making more for Valentine's Day! 

Won't you join me today as Mrs. Hart at The RHOK?

Fabulously Five

Our littlest Crow turned FIVE yesterday! Oh my how time flies! 

Five years ago our family was made complete- a beautiful 7lb 8oz, brown eyed, brown curly haired princess was given to us by God to love and raise. She gave us a little scare in the beginning when she didn't cry, but once they made her she has let her voice be known ever since! 

We love you Kaybrie Jayne Crow! 

We pray that this year is Fabulous just like you!

 I just had to share her latest pictures that were taken at school- aren't they the sweetest? 

Perfect for our little princess, right?

The dessert table at her birthday party!

The hot cocoa bar!

The lollipops I made- yes, I love Pinterest!

She saw an infomercial on TV the Saturday before her party- she had to have cake pops!
Thankfully I have a friend who has a George Foreman like cake ball/pop maker! Thank you Sarah B.

The BEST Birthday present in the WORLD...an American Girl Doll!
Meet Kayleigh
(this might just be THE name, its last for two days now)

Yes, I think she had a pretty Fabulous 5th Birthday and we look forward to all the changes that this next year bring to us...only six more months until Kindergarten!

BooHoo!