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Susan May Warren: Chill Out, Josey!

Posted in Book Reviews, Books I Love on January 23, 2008| 4 Comments »

Confession time. I signed up for this blog tour to promote one of my favorite chick lit authors and then life got all crazy on me. I’ve been beating myself up for not finishing the book before my assigned date on the tour and…I didn’t quite make it. But, I WILL finish it and I can still promote Susan May Warren’s books because I LOVE them. I haven’t read one yet that didn’t have me laughing loudly in public, still and silent-quickly turning the suspenseful pages, nodding my head in sympathy, or pondering the deeper truths learned by her characters and eloquently passed on to me through the pages in my hands. Susan is an amazing author and one funny woman.

Chill Out, Josey! is the sequel to Everything’s Coming Up Josey. You have to read both – they are hilarious and lighthearted, yet are filled with characters and life situations you can relate to. That’s what I love about good chick-lit and mom-lit, and Susan is a master at both. It took me less than 2 pages to laugh when reading each of these books.

It’s just a year. One year in Russia. Russia? But this Minnesota girl knows all about cold and she’s ready for her big adventure serving God in Moscow. But is Moscow ready for her? And what about the man she left behind? It’s not just about shoes and looking good in a shopka. Really.

Read the first chapter: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/c1_everythingsComingUpJosey.html

Russia? Not again. Josey’s finally living the good life – she’s got the man, the (almost-perfect) wedding, the two-story Cape-Cod house of her dreams. That is until her man drags her back to Moscow! Josey knows she has the guts to follow her own dreams across the world, but she’s not so sure she can play the perfect wife while her husband chases after his. Josey’s set on having the perfect life…even in a world without hot water, decent take-out and size-two leather fashion. But can she find the courage to tell her man the secret that will change their lives forever?

Read the first chapter: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/c1_chillOutJosey.html

Here’s what the author had to say about these two books:

“Why don’t you write your life story?” During my eight years as a missionary in Russia, friends from all over the world, in response to my letters, would pose that question. I’d shrug, saying….I’m not sure how to do it.

Fast forward three years. Chick lit is beginning to hit the shelves. An insightful editor at Steeple Hill challenged me to try my hand at this new genre. I thought –what would I have to write about– missionary stories?

Thankfully, she had vision, and when I proposed an idea about a single missionary headed to Moscow for a year, she embraced it. Finally I’d found a venue for my story…although fictionalized…mostly.

I laugh that finally, I got to write about all the fallacies, all the frustrations, and all the foolishness of being a freshman missionary. Mostly, I got to write about the one thing that God taught me – that He’d been at work in my life to bring me to this place, and the places beyond, all my life. And that I didn’t have to be perfect. I just had to surrender and trust.

Just like Josey.

And in Chill Out, Josey!, I let the adventure continue with more of my hilarious (at least I think so!) adventures as a pregnant woman navigating the bus, the subway and most of all LIFE in Russia. I hope you’ll laugh (and cry!) with me/Josey as she tries to figure out just how to stop worrying about life…and just learning how to CHILL OUT, JOSEY!

Here’s the really fun part. Susan is holding a contest for all readers who join her on this tour. (If you just read this post, you’re eligible. If you’re a guy and still reading this, kudos…and win this for your wife by sharing one of her stories. You may want to get permission first. lol) To enter, fill out the contest entry form with your funniest/craziest/most embarrassing PREGNANCY STORY and hit submit. You will be entered to win a Super Fabulous, Ultra Deluxe Chill Out, Mom SPA BASKET! and subscribed to Susan’s private newsletter mailing list! This is also where you’ll find several links to other writer/reader friends who are blogging about Josey this month.

http://www.susanmaywarren.com/joseycontest.html

Extreme Makeover: Woodhouse Update

Posted in Books I Love, Movies, Prayer Requests, Promoting Friends, T.V. on January 16, 2008| 3 Comments »

I’ve been without the internet for a few days while our service was being switched. 😦 It’s really sad how anxious not checking my email and not blogging has made me. I know there have been times I didn’t do those things on purpose and I was fine. It’s a different story when the decision is not my own.

Last Sunday night was my friend Kim’s episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. My excitement for them has kept me talking about it a lot. It was a great show! There were some things that got edited out that I wished had been in the show, but what can you do when you’re trying to cram a week’s worth of footage in a less than an hour time slot? I was very surprised they didn’t mention her brain surgery last year. Kim has received a ton of hits on her blogs and website since the show. There are a lot of people who want to send her well wishes. You can do so by clicking this link, www.kimberleywrites.blogspot.com. For those of you who have emailed or left comments here on previous posts already, I thank you for loving on them. I’ve passed along everything I’ve received so far.

I drove to the Springs yesterday for a short visit and I loved the house, but not as much as I love the family that lives there. They are kind, generous people and I look forward to deepening the friendship we have. I am thrilled that they have the opportunity to share their story through so many different venues. They are being pursued to do radio and T.V. interviews as well as the possibility of invitations to appear on talk shows. They’ve even had someone contact them because their children have HSAN and face some of the same struggles as Kayla. Kim’s heart is that she wants to help people if she can and above all she wants to glorify God. Please continue to pray for the Woodhouse family, for peace, strength, and a miraculous healing for Kayla.

One last thing. Kim blogged about what a great son Josh is. He is such a polite kid and a great brother to Kayla. He’s genuine and friendly and so respectful. When Petey and I drove down there this week, Josh entertained him and played with him while Kim and I talked. My kids want to move into Josh’s room. It turned out great! His dragon reading chair is awesome! He finds inspiration from The DragonKeeper Chronicles by local author Donita K. Paul. You can check out her books at her website www.dragonkeeper.us. I had lunch with her and some other new friends several months ago. She’s a neat lady.

Thanks again to ABC, FORD, and all of the other companies involved with this build/makeover. Their generosity and support of the Woodhouse family is a blessing to all involved and those who are looking on. People need and crave something bigger and special to be involved in. Just ask any of the thousands of people who have volunteered on builds all over the country since Extreme Makeover: Home Edition began.

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ONE LITTLE SECRET

Posted in Book Reviews, Books I Love, Promoting Friends on August 29, 2007| 5 Comments »

Allison Bottke is a force to be reckoned with! As I mentioned a few days ago, she’s the founder of the God Allows U-Turns ministry. She’s penned over twenty books, been featured in several magazine articles, is an inspirational speaker, and uses her skills to help other writers hone their craft. Amazing. She has also started a new ministry for “Boomer Babes”. I’m a Gen-Xer and probably the youngest one on this blog tour – a fact I haven’t checked – but I really relate to a lot of what she has to say. I’ve never dealt well with being told I have to fit in a little box as defined by my birth date. Besides, aren’t I mature for my age?? 🙂 When I joined this tour, I was a little nervous about people thinking I’m unqualified to review a book written about and for baby boomer women. Then I picked the book up and laughed and cried my way through it in a day. I’m an avid reader and I love to encourage people any way I can. I think that’s qualification enough.

Allison was masterful at weaving the familiar things in my life in with the Hollywood-esque things I may never experience but am curious about. The book begins with Nik, the main male character being up for an award at the Grammys. As a music lover, I was hooked. And what girl hasn’t had a crush on a rock star? Nik is also what my brothers call me – with that exact spelling. Ah common ground. Then we meet Ursula, the beautiful suburban wife and mom who has a hidden musical gift of her own. I’m a wife, mom, and sing with a band. More common ground. I’m liking this book. As the tale unfolded and I began to establish feelings for each of the characters, they became so real that I could almost picture them played out in movie form. (More on that later) As with all of my friendships, when I read a book, I tend to look for common interests and learn from the differences. It wasn’t difficult to get drawn in to the storyline of ONE LITTLE SECRET.

Some of the issues addressed in this book are universal whether you’re a rock star, or a housewife, or any other profession. I cringed and felt the tightening in my stomach when Ursula and her husband argued over a major miscommunication. I smiled as I listened to Ursula and her son’s playful banter and dreamed of the day my son and I will have that relationship. I sat a little straighter in my chair as I witnessed her be strong and insistent with her boundaries. My mouth dropped open when the young music star decides he wants her and makes it his mission to get her. I watched as she struggled to live out her faith in a world that is sometimes hostile to Christianity. I was hopeful as the seeds of God’s love were planted in Nik and he struggled through his confused emotions and the difficult task of forgiveness. I held my breath in anticipation when the characters did so. Like you and me, Ursula had many opportunities to make a positive impact on the people around her. Most of the time she got it right. There were many other lessons I loved. Some I related to and some I didn’t. Lessons like living life in the shadow of a famous parent and all of the baggage that comes with the dance of that fragile relationship. Having an appreciation for the finer material things in life, and the contrast of how the two characters dealt with their blessings and abundance. The glimpse of loneliness in someone who has a reputation of being a ladies man. The effects of the ugly green monster – jealousy. How one little secret can grow into several little secrets that are hard to keep straight and may have serious consequences for all involved.

There were little details sprinkled in the story that I found comforting and amusing. In one scene Ursula relaxed with a cup of Good Earth tea, one of my favorites. Nik tends to cook when he gets nervous, that’s definitely not me, but I’m all for a man with skills in the kitchen. I have to say that my favorite part was watching this well-organized, gifted, and lovely woman provide stability for her family, and still make the decision to pursue a dream she had had since childhood. As a new empty nester with time on her hands and an old longing in her heart, she must decide how to spend her summer. A wonderful and crazy opportunity lands on her doorstep, and she has to choose. The choices she makes will impact her family and she learns the hard lesson that ONE LITTLE SECRET never is…

This book was a great summer read. It was fun and refreshing, and not too old for me. 😉 I’m looking forward to giving a free copy away to a lucky winner on Friday. If you’re interested in putting your name in the hat, email me.

Below is the description of ONE LITTLE SECRET as described on Allison’s website – which should be your next stop when you leave here! Thank you Allison for writing this book. I look forward to reading more of your work!

One more thing…Reaching for your dreams is one of Allison’s messages she is passionate about. She has a dream that this will one day be made into a film. To read details on a casting call contest she’s holding at her website, and to cast your vote for the stars who would be great in these roles, check out this link. www.boomerbabesrock.com/onelittesecret_castingcall.htm

For Ursula Rhoades, her ONE LITTLE SECRET is about to become her one big problem! ONE LITTLE SECRET fits seamlessly into a culture obsessed with reality TV and celebrity lives (think American Idol and E! channel). Delving into the life of a fictional rock star, ONE LITTLE SECRET grabs readers from the start and takes them on a fun-loving ride through Hollywood and the famous GRAMMY awards.

In a land of glitz and glamour, Ursula Rhoades isn’t fazed in the least by the constant parade of Prada and Tiffany’s or the high-profile celebrity sightings. A beautiful home, a loving family, and fulfilling volunteer opportunities leave this fashionable and loving Bel-Air housewife completely content, even if she did have to give up her dreams. Nikolai Prevelakis, or Nik Prevel to his fans, is the hottest young music star in the country. But it isn’t enough. Handsome, famous, and living the life of a rock star, Nik isn’t content. When his path crosses Ursula’s, he sees the opportunity he’s been waiting for.but what seems like a harmless little secret changes their lives forever-and becomes one big secret everyone’s trying to figure out!

Ursula is a fun and hip main character-a baby boomer quite different from most heroines you see in today’s inspirational fiction. Offset by a male protagonist who is captivating and gets more likable and “deeper” as the story goes on, it’s just plain fun to watch these characters interact. A Hollywood fairy tale with all the pleasures of escapist literature mixed with gentle lessons on using the talents God has given you, the power of sacrifice, self-esteem, and the value of being “just a housewife.”

Find out why folks are saying that Allison writes “women’s fiction with an attitude!”

> Purchase from Amazon

> “One Little Secret” International BLOG Tour

> Read an excerpt