Proud Book Nerd

Most - if not all - of you know by now that I have decided to break my book blog off this one in order to de-clutter this blog. This time last week, I was happily making myself at home over at Proud Book Nerd, and it was going well. Until I tried to put my linkbar up at the top. It wasn't working properly. E-mails with the designer of that style (which I LOVE) made it clear that the problem was that the blog had inexplicably gone CORRUPT! :-( Apparently, that tends to happen randomly - often after a template change. So, I had to rebuild it. Long story short: I had to create a new blog, delete PBN, then change the url of the new one back to Proud Book Nerd! Why am I telling you all of this? Well, because it appears that I LOST MY FOLLOWERS in the process! :-( I know some of you kindly followed that blog when I announced it, so I was hoping I could convince you to PLEASE come back and click the button to follow again! PLEASE! I'm bummed about this, really bummed. Not only did I have those of you who kindly followed me there (in addition to here), but I had already made some new book-blogging friends who were following me. They, alas, are gone. I'm not sure if/when they'll find their way back. BUT, since each of you is still here (I think - I HOPE), I thought I could enlighten you to the situation. So ...

If you were following me over on Proud Book Nerd, PLEASE go back over there and set that up again! I apologize for the inconvenience involved, and I pray to never have to re-create a corrupt blog again!

To make this as easy as possible, here it is:

PROUD BOOK NERD

THANK YOU!

Random Dozen

I haven't done this since before Easter, at least I don't think I have. Anyway, this is another fun one. Random Dozen is hosted by 2nd Cup of Coffee.

1. How do you feel about "Gladiator" sandals, also called "Roman" or "Jesus" sandals? A fashion yea or nay?

I think they are UGLY!

2. What is your favorite pizza?

Taco pizza. GOOD stuff!

3. There are plans in the works to sell roughly 1,000 items from Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas. This means you could buy Picard's chair for your family room. If not a Star Trek item, what prop, background, set, etc. from what TV or movie would you buy if you could? [Ex: Hurley's "I Love my Shih tzu" shirt from LOST, the plantation home "Tara" from Gone With the Wind, or Tracy's tambourine from the Partridge Family.]

I have no idea.

4. Name a local food or restaurant that your area is famous for.

Whitey's Ice cream

5. What is your current favorite snack?

Dove milk chocolate and peanut butter squares

6. Hypothetical: You are required to be a reality show contestant. Which show would you choose based on your probability of success? (You cannot choose "none.")

A. Dancing with the Stars

B. Biggest Loser

C. Survivor

A. Dancing with the Stars. While I'd love to be on Biggest Loser, I think I'd be more successful with DWTS.

7. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being uninhabitable and 10 being cleanliness that meets the standards of OCD, how clean is your vehicle's interior?

7.5

8. It doesn't feel like Spring until _________.

I can smell my lilacs – which is starting to happen! :-D

9. Something that made you laugh really hard recently is ____.

The kids. They're always cracking me up! ;-)

10. Tell me about a goal you're working toward.

Losing this baby weight. Ultimate goal: be where I was when I got pg with Abby.

11. Share a thought-provoking or inspiring quote this week.

Umm ... Let me get back to you on that one!

12. Name one thing that you do as a parent that you absolutely know will make your kids happy. If you're not a parent, feel free to substitute "friend" or nomenclature that works for you.

Sometimes I'll take them for a special snack after school – like out for ice cream (at the aforementioned Whitey's), or to somewhere like Chili's and order dessert. They always love that! :-)

GIVEAWAY Ends Tomorrow

Don't miss your chance to win An Absence So Great! Just enter your information on the MckLinky HERE! GOOD LUCK!

Don't forget that I have branched off the book posting to a new blog, Proud Book Nerd. If you like my book reviews and/or giveaways, please join me!

Tune-In Tuesday 4/13

It's music time! :-)

This week's picks are not very related, but still songs I love.

1. God of This City by Bluetree ~ Such a good, powerful song. Every time I hear this I have to sing, and I have to hear it over and over and over ... It is especially pertinent in these crazy times in this nation I love. When singing this, I often will change "city" to "nation." It serves as an awesome reminder that no matter what might happen or how things might appear, God is ALWAYS in control. Whether our nation's leaders choose to acknowledge Him, whether our nation's citizens choose to acknowledge Him, whether you as an individual choose to acknowledge Him – none of that matters. It doesn't change the simple, blessed fact that God indeed is in control. You don't have to believe it to make it true. It is true. It is THE TRUTH. He is the God of This City, the God of This NATION!

You're God of this city, you're the King of these people, you're the Lord of this nation, you are...

You're the Light in this darkness, you're the Hope to the hopeless, you're the Peace to the restless, you are...

For there is none like our God, there is none like You, God!

Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city!
Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done here.

You're the Lord of creation, The creator of all things you're the King above all kings, you are...

You're the Strength in the weakness, You are Love to the broken, You're the Joy in the sadness, you are...

For there is none like our God, there is none like you, God!

Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city!
Where glory shines from hearts alive with praise for You and love for You in this city.

Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city!
Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done here.

For there is none like our God, there is none like you, God!

Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city!
Where glory shines from hearts alive with praise for You and love for You in this city.

Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city!
Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done here.

And I think I'm going to stop here. The other song I was considering sharing doesn't seem to fit this week. Plus, I need something for next week! LMAO

So, please share your favorite songs – whether here in a comment or in a post on your own blog is up to you. Please leave your link if you do post something!

Blessings to you!

Getting to Know You 4/11

Hosted by MannLand5, this is a fun theme for Sundays! If you want to participate this week, you can leave me a comment and/or fill out the MckLinky HERE.

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1. What color do you wear the most?

Wear? Probably black. I wear black yoga pants a LOT, and if I'm wearing a different type of pants (not black), I often wear a black shirt.

2. Would you rather have $10,000 dollars or a dream vacation?

$10,000 to pay down debts

3. Do you have a weird, quirky or unusual habit?

Sure. Doesn't everyone?

4. I really need to start..........?

Getting back into gear on this weight-loss thing!

5. What was the first blog you ever read?

Good gosh, I have no idea! It's been so long that I just couldn't even venture a guess!

6. Do you collect anything?

You mean aside from books? I LOVE unicorns. Not the cartoonish, babyish ones. I like the GORGEOUS, elegant, regal ones – bonus if they have wings!

7. How old were you when you had your first kiss?

Umm... 14 or 15.

8. Do you text/twitter while driving?

Nope. That's something I believe is EXTREMELY irresponsible, not to mention illegal in my home state of Illinois.

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Now it's your turn! Here are the questions to easier copy/paste:

1. What color do you wear the most?
2. Would you rather have $10,000 dollars or a dream vacation?
3. Do you have a weird, quirky or unusual habit?
4. I really need to start..........?
5. What was the first blog you ever read?
6. Do you collect anything?
7. How old were you when you had your first kiss?
8. Do you text/twitter while driving?

WINNER: Here Burns My Candle

Congratulations to Judy Dudley! :-) E-mail is on the way!

Thanks to everyone who entered! :-) Don't forget to enter the giveaways for An Absence So Great and This Little Prayer of Mine!

Blessings to you all!

Five Question Friday 4/9/10

It's that time again – a time I was sad to have missed last week!

1. Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?

I would love to have Sandra Bullock play me. She's my favorite actress, and has been since Speed came out!

2. Did you ever go to summer camp?

Yes, a few times.

3. What sends you running and screaming in the other direction?

Snakes

4. What is something you do that drives your spouse nuts?

Umm ... I honestly don't know. I know there's something, but I don't know what it is. He's a suffer-in-silence type. Well, until he's reached the boiling point. By that point, it's usually something small that sets him off, and I've no idea where it all is coming from. And, of course, he's not a talker. So ...

5. What is currently your favorite song?

I can never pick a favorite song! Never! But, that's why I have my weekly Tune-In Tuesday meme! (And it took this post to make me realize that I forgot about it this week! I blame spring break and the busyness – yes, that is correct, "busyness" as opposed to "business" – that comes with  that comes with it. Oh, yeah, and the launch of my NEW book blog, Proud Book Nerd.

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Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then link up in the MckLinky on Mama M's post. Also link back to Mama M.

No blog? That's alright!! Just answer the questions in the comments of anyone's blog along the way...this is a fun, easy way to get to know your fellow bloggers!

Questions for Friday, April 9th (repeated for easier copying):
1. Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
2. Did you ever go to summer camp?
3. What sends you running and screaming in the other direction?
4. What is something you do that drives your spouse nuts?
5. What is currently your favorite song?

GIVEAWAY Ends Tomorrow

I know I said my book stuff will be on my new blog, Proud Book Nerd, and it will. But, because this giveaway actually is posted on THIS blog, I wanted to make sure my readers here got to see this, too.

I just wanted to give everyone a quick reminder that tomorrow at 11:59 p.m., the giveaway for Here Burns My Candle closes for entries. I plan to announce the winner on Saturday. To enter, click on the link below and enter your information into the MckLinky at the bottom of the post. (If you cannot figure out MckLinky, please leave a comment, and I'll get you entered.) GOOD LUCK!

• Here Burns My Candle

Egg-cellent

Oh, yes, I did! I have a punny title! Yes, I know, I hate those, but there are times I just cannot resist! ;-)

Anyway, Abby, Grant, and I decided to color eggs today. We hadn't done so before Easter, but who says you can color eggs only for Easter? Plus, Abby has been begging for hard-boiled eggs for a while now, so it serves two purposes. Fun with dye, and feed my girl! ;-)

I haven't boiled very many eggs in my lifetime, so I wasn't exactly sure how to go about doing so. My fear was ending up with soft-boiled eggs, which are G-R-O-S-S! But, recently, I stumbled upon a post by Jen that was about making good deviled eggs. This post caught my eye simply because I LOVE deviled eggs. Love them! In the post she gives advice on the best way to boil the eggs so they can be peeled easily. Long story short: add the eggs to a pot of boiling water, boil for a few minutes, let sit (covered) for about 15 minutes, cool under cold water. And voila! You have perfect, easy-to-peel eggs.

Today, we tested this method ...





drum roll, please ...





and it worked! The eggs were PERFECTLY cooked, and very easy to peel. Even my 6-year-old, who had never before peeled hard-boiled eggs, was able to peel the eggs pretty cleanly. She only butchered one or two, and that only happened when she tried to get it done too quickly!

So, THANK YOU, Jen! Now that I've found an awesome – no, make that the BEST – way to boil my eggs, I just might be ready to try making deviled eggs (my FAVORITE)!

UPDATE ~ MckLinky is back!

PHEW! MckLinky is back, so please use MckLinky to enter my giveaways. They can be found:

• Here Burns My Candle ~ Ends 4/9
• An Absence So Great ~ Ends 4/15
• This Little Prayer of Mine ~ Ends 4/19

GIVEAWAYS ALERT: MckLinky is DOWN!

This is a bad thing if you want to enter any of my giveaways! Until further notice, please leave a comment on the post in which the giveaways are announced. If you already signed up, PLEASE leave a comment in the post just in case MckLinky's not back soon! I don't want to miss anyone. Anyway, here are the links:

• Here Burns My Candle ~ Ends 4/9
• An Absence So Great ~ Ends 4/15
• This Little Prayer of Mine ~ Ends 4/19

Exciting Announcement

For several days now I have been considering breaking my book blog off from here. Don't get me wrong – I love this blog. But, I was thinking that it might be nice to split the more personal from the less personal. I felt like this blog was getting way too cluttered, and I don't like that! I want to keep this as my primary blog, but have my new blog as all things reading-related – book reviews, giveaways, or other book-related posts that might come along. So, without further ado, I introduce you to:

Proud Book Nerd

No, I haven't posted anything yet. But, I purchased a new layout and am now in the process of moving things over there. I will not be moving any posts from here to there. Anything that I had put on this blog before right now will remain here. Widgets, buttons, and other things like that might disappear from here, but posts aren't moving. So, if you're a bookish one, like me, or wanna win some free books, please start following me over there! Again, the new blog is:


Proud Book Nerd

I hope to see you there!

Book Review: The Flowering Cross by Beth Ryan

Title: The Flowering Cross

Author: Beth Ryan, Illustrated by Renee Graef

Summary: This is an Easter children's book about loving your neighbor. It talks about a little girl, Katie, and her family and how they befriend the grumpy old man next door. While the rest of the neighborhood refers to the man as "Mean Old Jack," Katie's family calls him "Papa Jack." Their love helps pave the way for him to come to know God's love.

My Thoughts: This is a very good story with a wonderful message! My 6-year-old daughter liked the story a lot. Included in the story are suggestions for how to talk to your child about the story and how it relates to God. While they're good, I think that they interfere with the telling of the story. I think that, for future readings, I'll make sure to discuss the insights after finishing the story. My daughter was very interested in the story, as well as the Bible verses on some of the pages. The illustrations are beautiful and nicely compliment the story. Also included is a page with instructions on how you can make your own flowering cross. I thought that's pretty neat – a way to further bring the story to life at home. Overall, I think this is an excellent addition to a child's library, especially if you're looking for Easter-related stories!

Source: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”

Own It: Get your own copy of The Flowering Cross HERE.

Book Review & GIVEAWAY: This Little Prayer of Mine

Title: This Little Prayer of Mine

Author: Anthony DeStefano, Illustrated by Mark Elliott

Summary: Author Anthony DeStefano’s adult books, The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven, have sold a quarter-million copies. Illustrator Mark Elliott’s cherished artwork has appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s ever-popular Princess Tales series.

Now, these acclaimed inspirational experts have come together to create This Little Prayer of Mine, a beautiful and alluring book designed to guide children into a very simple, real and expressive relationship with God.

Through engaging rhymes and alluring illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine shows children—and their parents and grandparents—that complete dependence on God is what brings peace and fulfillment. It invites children to know and believe that God is always just a simple prayer away and that He longs to respond to them with a resounding, “Yes!”

This Little Prayer of Mine appeals to readers from all different faiths. Easy-reader format allows children to read alone, or with someone older, and encourages them to openly express their fears, thanks, and needs directly to God.

Author Bio: Anthony DeStefano is the author of The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven. He has received prestigious awards from religious organizations worldwide for his efforts to advance Christian beliefs in modern culture.

Mark Elliott’s brilliant illustrations have appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s Princess Tales series. His acclaimed artwork delivers inspiration, wonder, and timeless beauty on every page.

My thoughts: This is a very cute, sweet story about praying to God. It shows children all the different times we can pray – when we're sad, when we're lonely, when we're scared, etc. It also shows how to ask God's forgiveness when we're not acting as we should. The illustrations are absolutely lovely and go perfectly with the story. Very detailed, my children and I enjoyed really looking through them. This book would be a great addition to any child's library!

Source: This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Own It: Get your own copy of This Little Prayer of Mine HERE.

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*****WIN IT*****

I have one copy to give away to one lucky reader!

To Enter: Submit your entry using the MckLinky below (you can leave the first box, labeled "entry content," blank). Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. (Central) Monday, April 19. A winner will be chosen randomly with the help of random.org. I will send the lucky winner an e-mail notification. (It will come from ramblings.more(at)gmail(dot)com, so make sure to add this address to your safe list or address book to ensure it doesn't get lost in junk/bulk mail.) If I do not get a response within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. Unfortunately, this giveaway is only open to readers in the U.S. No P.O. boxes.

Speaking of GIVEAWAYS: Don't forget to enter my other giveaways!

The GIVEAWAY for Here Burns My Candle ends on April 9!

Enter to win An Absence So Great by April 15 HERE!

I'm back!

I just wanted to say a quick hello – and almost-too-late HAPPY EASTER! We had a lovely weekend with the hubby's family. It was very nice. I'm not going to worry about posting things I'd intended to over the weekend – or things I typically post over the weekends. I'm just going to pick up where I left off. I'm sure you can understand! ;-)

That said, this week is spring break for us, so I'm not sure how much I will be around. I do have a couple of book reviews – including another giveaway – coming soon, so I'll at least be around for those! ;-) In case I'm not around much beyond that, I hope you all have a very blessed week! :-)

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Reminder: I have TWO GIVEAWAYS that are currently open. Not surprisingly, both are books. The first is Here Burns My Candle. (Click on the title to find the post.) Entries are open through Friday, April 9. The winner will be chosen – and announced – the next day. The second is An Absence So Great. Entries are open through Thursday, April 15. To enter either, just fill out the MckLinky information attached to the end of the appropriate post. If you cannot figure out the MckLinky, please post a comment and I'll be happy to add you to the list! :-)

GIVEAWAY: An Absence So Great

I hate doing this, but I have to post this without a review. I just have not had the time to finish the book yet. I am guessing I can finish it tomorrow, while we're on the way to visit family (5 hours in the car), but I won't be able to blog about it then. So, in order to be faithful to my commitment to post about it this week, I have decided to post without a review. So, my plan is simple: make this post with the description, my thoughts on it as of where I'm at in it, and the GIVEAWAY. I'll post a review when I'm finished!

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Title: An Absence So Great

Author: Jane Kirkpatrick

Summary: Inspired by the engaging stories told through her grandmother’s photographs taken at the turn of the century, award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick provides a portrait of the tension between darkness and light in the soul of a young woman pursuing her professional dreams.

Despite growing in confidence as a photographer, eighteen-year-old Jessie Ann Gaebele’s personal life is still at a crossroads. Hoping she’s put an unfortunate romantic longing behind her as “water under the bridge,” she exiles herself to Milwaukee to operate photographic studios for those ill with mercury poisoning.

Jessie gains footing on her dream to one day own her own studio and soon finds herself in other Midwest towns, pursuing her profession. But even a job she loves can’t keep those painful memories from seeping into her heart, and the shadows of a forbidden love threaten to darken the portrait of her life.

Author Bio: Jane Kirkpatrick is an award-winning author of sixteen historical novels, including A Flickering Light, the first part of Jessie Gaebale’s story, and three nonfiction titles. Known for her unique insights into the exploration of community, family and faith of actual historical women, the Wisconsin native and her husband have called their ranch in Oregon home for the past 25 years.

My Thoughts: I'm having a hard time getting into it, I think largely because I haven't read the first book in this series. I think it has the potential to be very good, but frequent references to the back story make it hard for me to get into it. I think what I'm going to do is get my hands on A Flickering Light, read that one, then come back and try again. I have a feeling that once I know what came before, I'll be VERY eager to read this one – especially since the references to the first part of the story really make me WANT to know what happened!

Source: This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Read It: Get your own copy of An Absence So Great HERE.

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*****WIN IT*****

I have one copy to give away to one lucky reader!

To Enter: Submit your entry using the MckLinky below (you can leave the first box, labeled "entry content," blank). Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. (Central) Thursday, April 15. A winner will be chosen randomly with the help of random.org. I will send the lucky winner an e-mail notification. (It will come from ramblings.more(at)gmail(dot)com, so make sure to add this address to your safe list or address book to ensure it doesn't get lost in junk/bulk mail.) If I do not get a response within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. Unfortunately, this giveaway is only open to readers in the U.S. No P.O. boxes.

Speaking of GIVEAWAYS: Don't forget to enter my other GIVEAWAY for Here Burns My Candle! 

Random Dozen

I saw this one over at Reviews & Reflections. I have so much fun with stuff like this that I couldn't resist! This one is hosted by Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

1. How do you feel about the marshmallow Easter Peeps?

Eww! Eww! Eww! Eww! Eww!

2. Chickens are notoriously nervous creatures. When you are nervous, what is the best way to calm down?

I usually pray and ask God to help me.

3. People say, "April showers bring May flowers." Do you enjoy Spring rains?

YES! Love them – even better if there's thunder and lightning!

4. When I was randomly flipping through TV channels this week, I saw a show in which tattoo parlor employees received tattoos of a co-worker's face on their bodies. I can't imagine having a portrait of a colleague tattooed on me. But if someone forced you to receive a portrait tattoo (face only) of anyone, who would it be? Why?

My husband. He is my soul mate. The love of my life.

5. Would you rather have a tattoo (any kind) or a nose ring?

Tattoo

6. Do you have any special plans for Easter?

Visiting family downstate.

7. Cadbury Eggs or Reese Eggs?

Neither.

8. What was the last thing/person you took a picture of?

My kids.

9. What book are you reading now, or what was the last one?

I'm currently reading An Absence So Great by Jane Kirkpatrick.

10. What do you think is the most difficult task when it comes to Spring cleaning?

Getting motivated ...

11. How many pairs of flip-flops do you own?

At least five.

12. Which color makes you happiest?

PURPLE, baby!

Whatcha Reading Wednesday

Hey, bookworms! This one's for you! Hosted by Busy Moms Who Love to Read, this is just a fun little thing to share a tidbit from what you're reading.

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you're currently reading and open it to a random page. Choose a random spot on the page (I close my eyes and point LOL), and select two full sentences. Make a post (or just leave a comment, if you'd prefer) with the two sentences you selected. Include the page number and title and author of the book. If, by some odd chance, your two sentences have the possibility of spoiling the story for someone (say, it happens to name the death of a character or reveals a surprise twist), make sure to include **Spoiler Alert** before you share the sentences – that way anyone who'd rather not have it spoiled can opt to skip it! ;-) Then link up on the MckLinky provided! :-)

Here's mine for the week:

"You'd be surprised," Augie said. "Truth telling gets sympathy, especially when you tell them of the mistakes." ~ Page 192 in An Absence So Great by Jane Kirkpatrick

Tune-In Tuesday

I almost forgot about this today – almost. It has been CRAZY here. I had an appointment with my allergist this morning, so Natalie and I went straight there after dropping Grant off. Then we stopped by Target, picked Grant up, and had to take Natalie back to the pediatrician. So, we weren't home until lunch time. I really haven't had much time to sit until now. So, that's why no music before now. But, now that it's over, I'm here with some music!

So, I was thinking that with Easter coming on Sunday, I should do something along those lines. But, well, I don't know that there are any Easter-themed songs that I'd wanna share. And by Easter-themed I don't mean about bunnies, eggs, and jellybeans. I mean the crucifixion and resurrection. But, I grew up in a church that rarely – if ever – sang any hymns of any sort. So, my repertoire on crucifixion- and resurrection-related songs is pretty small. So, I'll just keep it to Christian music. So, here we go!

1. Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet by Jars of Clay ~ One of my favorite Jars of Clay songs ever. And I do think this one is perfect for posting during what some religions (not mine) call Holy Week – what I've always just thought of as the week between Palm Sunday and Easter. Given that this weekend is when we remember – and even celebrate – Jesus' blood and all it means.

Jesus' blood never failed me yet

never failed me yet

Jesus' blood never failed me yet

this one thing i know

that He loves me so

Jesus' blood never failed me yet

never failed me yet

Jesus' blood never failed me yet

this one thing i know

that He loves me so

Jesus' blood never failed me yet

never failed me yet

Jesus' blood never failed me yet

this one thing i know

that He loves me so

Jesus' blood won't fail me yet

won't fail me yet

won't fail me yet

Jesus' blood never failed me yet

never failed me yet

Jesus' blood never failed me yet

this one thing i know

that He loves me so

Jesus' blood never failed me yet

never failed me yet

Jesus' blood never failed me yet

this one thing i know

that He loves me so

Jesus' blood never failed me yet

never failed me yet

Jesus' blood never failed me yet

this one thing i know

that He loves me so

Jesus' blood (won't fail me yet)

blood (won't fail me yet)

His blood (won't fail me yet)

Jesus' blood (won't fail me yet)

His blood (won't fail me yet)

won't fail me yet (won't fail me yet)

Jesus' blood (won't fail me yet)

His blood (won't fail me yet)

His blood won't fail me (won't fail me yet)

this one thing i know

that he loves me so

2. Judas' Kiss by Petra ~ An oldie but a goody (or is it goodie?)! This one might not pertain to the crucifixion/resurrection as well as others, but when else is Judas' kiss relevant? ;-)

I wonder how it makes You feel when the prodigal won't come home

I wonder how it makes You feel when he'd rather be on his own

I wonder what it's like for You when a lamb has gone astray

I wonder what it's like for You when Your children disobey

It must be like another thorn stuck in your brow

It must be like another close friend's broken vow

It must be like another nail right through You wrist

It must be just like, just like Judas' kiss

I wonder how it makes You feel when no one seeks Your face

I wonder how it makes You feel when they give up in the race

I wonder what it's like for You when they willingly disobey

I wonder what it's like for You when they willingly walk away

It must be like another thorn stuck in Your brow

It must be like another close friend's broken vow

It must be like another nail right through Your wrist

It must be just like, just like Judas' kiss

Well, I surprised myself – I actually DID find some that are relevant to Easter. Or at least I think so. Enjoy! And don't forget to share your music! :-)

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GIVEAWAY REMINDER

Don't forget to sign up to win a copy of Here Burns My Candle! Contest ends on Friday, April 9.

Book Review: The Emerald Storm

The Emerald Storm by Michael J.  Sullivan

Summary: Ex-mercenary Hadrian Blackwater sets course on a high seas adventure to find the lost Heir of Novron. His only hope lies in confronting the ruthless and cunning Merrick Marius. Fearing his friend is not up to the challenge, Royce Melborn joins his old partner for one last mission. Their journey finds them adrift amid treachery and betrayals forcing Hadrian to face a past he hoped never to see again.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My review: This is another excellent installment in The Riyria Revelations series! There is lots of fast-paced action that makes the book hard to put down. I found I liked it even better the second time reading through it, but I don't think it's as good as its predecessors. I'm not sure why - I can't put a finger on what it is. But, it is still VERY good.

I must say that there are things from Royce and Hadrian's past - former jobs they had - that are discussed a lot. I'd LOVE to see Michael give us the WHOLE story in these - perhaps sometime after the current series is done!

Speaking of the current series, this is the first one I find myself wondering if someone who read this first could follow it very well. There is a lot of referencing to previous episodes in this series, and without having read them it might frustrate readers. One example is when Hadrian calls Royce "Esrahaddon" because of something somewhat cryptic he says. But, the first two books in the series are really where we get to know Esrahaddon, and I think that little tidbit (which, I must admit, I LOVED - it cracked me up) could confuse someone who hasn't read them.

But, all of that said, I still enjoyed this book very much! Sullivan is an EXCELLENT author who expertly brings his stories - and characters - to life! I can't wait to see what's coming next!

Source: I had the privilege of editing this book, so I got my hands on it for free. But, that in NO way influences my review, and I did not receive any compensation for this post.

Get your own copy: Purchase a copy of The Emerald Storm through Amazon.

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