HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSITA CHIQUITA BONITA!
Now that I have your attention - would you like your present? Well, you must follow the clues to find out what your present is... some may be online and some may be offline... hope you find them all!

I think while you were out at the movies with Pa watching 10000 B.C., Blue started missing you. But you know Blue... she's too prideful to admit it. To keep from being bored, she visited a dear old friend. Now where would she have left a clue? Hmmmm....

When you've found the first clue... come BACK to this post and read the comments section. BUT ONLY AFTER YOU'VE FOUND THE FIRST CLUE!

Featured Book -

Betrayed

by Jeanette Windle

Fires smolder endlessly below the dangerous surface of Guatemala City's municipal dump.

Deadlier fires seethe beneath the tenuous calm of a nation recovering from brutal civil war. Anthropologist Vicki Andrews is researching Guatemala’s “garbage people” when she stumbles across a human body. Curiosity turns to horror as she uncovers no stranger, but an American environmentalist — Vicki’s only sister, Holly.

With authorities dismissing the death as another street crime, Vicki begins tracing Holly’s last steps, a pilgrimage leading from slum squalor to the breathtaking and endangered cloud forests of the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere. But every unraveled thread raises more questions. What betrayal connects Holly’s murder, the recent massacre of a Mayan village, and the long-ago deaths of Vicki’s own parents?

Nor is Vicki the only one demanding answers. Before her search reaches its startling end, the conflagration has spilled across international borders to threaten an American administration and the current war on terror. With no one turning out to be who they’d seemed, who can Vicki trust and who should she fear?

A politically relevant tale of international intrigue and God’s redemptive beauty and hope.

As the child of missionary parents, award-winning author and journalist Jeanette Windle grew up in the rural villages, jungles, and mountains of Colombia, now guerrilla hot zones. Her detailed research and writing is so realistic that it has prompted government agencies to question her to determine if she has received classified information. Currently based in Lancaster, PA, Jeanette has lived in six countries and traveled in more than twenty. She has more than a dozen books in print, including political/suspense best-seller CrossFire and the Parker Twins series.

I absolutely LOVED this book! One of my top 5! It also presented a very applicable life lesson by recounting a different twist on an old Bible story. Definitely 4 stars from me!

-The Kimmy

Just a Child of God Seeking to Please Daddy

You can buy the book at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1414314744/
View the website at: http://www.jeanettewindle.com/

Featured Book -

For Pete's Sake
by Linda Windsor

For Pete's Sake is a remarkable story about the unlikely lives between a grown-up tomboy and the millionaire next door.

Ellen Brittingham isn't sure true love exists until she contracts to do the landscaping of the estate of the sophisticated widower next door, Adrian Sinclair. Adrian has it all - at least on the surface. He's engaged to a beautiful woman who helped him build a successful business and he'll soon have a mom for his troubled son, Pete.

Yet, from the moment Ellen rescues a stranded Adrian on her Harley, his well-ordered world turns upside down, cracking his thin facade of happiness and revealing the void of faith and love behind it. Even more, his son seems to have is own sights set on Ellen - as his new mom.

As Ellen's friendship grows with Pete, she realizes that his father is her resolve to remain "neighbors only" with the dad, the precocious boy works his way into her heart, drawing Ellen and Adrian closer. Close enough for heartbreak, for Pete's sake!

But how can her heart think that Adrian Sinclair is the one when he's engaged to a sophisticated beauty who is everything Ellen isn't. When Ellen's three best friends see she's been bitten by the love bug, they jump into action and submit her to a makeover that reveals the woman underneath her rough exterior and puts her in contention for Adrian's love.

But Ellen must ask herself whether she's ready to risk the heart that she's always held close. Will Ellen be able to trust that God brought this family into her life for a reason? Or will her fear of getting hurt cause her to turn away from God's plan and one true chance at love?



Maryland author Linda Windsor has written some twenty-nine historical and contemporary novels for both the secular and inspirational markets, but she is most noted for delivering “The Lift of Laughter and Spirit” in her modern inspirational romances.

A Christy finalist and winner of numerous industry awards, Linda has written for Multnomah Publishing (historical fiction and contemporary romances), Barbour Publishing (romcom novella), and Westbow Press (the Moonstruck romantic comedy trilogy). Wedding Bell Blues, the first book in her new The Piper Cove Chronicles series, is featured on Avon Inspire's launch list.

In addition to writing and doing fiction-writing workshops at conferences across the country, Linda continues a music and lay speaking ministry started by her and her late husband, and she is a part-time financial analyst. She also works on “as desperately needed” home improvement projects on the 18th-century-plus house that she and her husband began restoring in 1986. Wallpaper and paint are definitely in her near future.

LINDA WINDSOR LOCAL APPEARANCES:

Saturday, April 5th, 2008
Jack's Religious Gift Shop
701 Snow Hill Road
Salisbury, MD 21804
2:00PM

Saturday, April 12, 2008
The Gospel Shop
800 South Salisbury Blvd
Salisbury, MD 21801
11:00 AM

Buy the book at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0061171387

Visit the website at: http://www.lindawindsor.com/

Wow. Linda Windsor is gonna break me lol! I HATE reading little romances, but this was so great. A totally MUST-READ. If you only read one romance book in your life, this should be it.

- The Kimmy

Featured Book -

On The Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

by Andrew Peterson

Once, in a cottage above the cliffs on the Dark Sea of Darkness, there lived three children and their trusty dog Nugget. Janner Igiby, his brother Tink, their crippled sister Leeli are gifted children as all children are, loved well by a noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather. But they will need all their gifts and all that love to survive the evil pursuit of the venomous Fangs of Dang who have crossed the dark sea to rule the land with malice and pursue the Igibys who hold the secret to the lost legend and jewels of good King Wingfeather of the Shining Isle of Anniera.

Andrew Peterson spins a quirky and riveting tale of the Igibys’ extraordinary journey from Glipwood’s Dragon Day Festival and a secret hidden in the Books and Crannies Bookstore, past the terrifying Black Carriage, clutches of the horned hounds and loathsome toothy cows surrounding AnkleJelly Manor, through the Glipwood Forest and mysterious treehouse of Peet the Sock Man (known for a little softshoe and wearing tattered socks on his hands and arms), to the very edge of the Ice Prairies. Full of characters rich in heart, smarts, and courage, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness presents a world of wonder and a tale children of all ages will cherish, families can read aloud, and readers’ groups are sure to discuss for its layers of meaning about life’s true treasure and tangle of the beautiful and horrible, temporal and eternal, and good and bad.


Author/Singer/Songwriter Andrew Peterson, a 2005 Audie Award finalist for his readings of Ray Blackston’s Flabbergasted trilogy, wrote and produced the popular Christmas play and musical Behold the Lamb of God: The True Tale of the Coming of the Christ, and the album by the same name, which received the 2004 Best Album of the Year, World Christian Music’s Editors Choice Award. Andrew’s received critical acclaim for his seven albums and is at work on an eighth. He lives with his wife Jamie and their three young children near Nashville, Tennessee, where he reads storybooks aloud to his family each evening.

Artist Justin Gerard has illustrated several children’s books, including The Lightlings storybooks for young readers by R.C. Sproul. He lives in Greenville, South Carolina, and works as the chief creative officer for Portland Studios.

This book was pretty great. At first I thought it would be a quick little ditty of a read, but it actually had a little bit of meat. Threw me off! lol I really liked the way he portrayed the characters relationships with each other. It actually made me feel proud that those things "were the way they were." I still can't believe it, but I'm actually looking forward to the second book!

- The Kimmy

You can buy the book at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073847

View the website at: http://www.andrew-peterson.com/

So I spent yesterday with my mom... It was so much more fun than I could have imagined it lol... We met my aunt at a restaraunt whose name escapes me right now (Macmillian's?) where we caught up on each other's lives and I had to go through the "You really need to get over your fear of driving" speech. But it was worth it lol... We departed after running to my auntie's house and grabbing some stuff she gave me for my new apartment, and made a pit stop at Cold Stone's. Ice Cream as big as a softball lol! I'd been once before, and it was funny to see the same expression I had on my mother's face. It was great lol!

Mom and I then made our dizzying way to the Children's Museum. (She's 41 and I'm 22 lol.) We had a ton of fun (as soon as I get the pictures I'll post some of them...) And YES, we climbed through all the tunnels, submarines, and slides and even made our way onto the dinosaur for pictures. We dressed up in the little kids costumes where me made our debut appearances as Momma Octopus and Lil Big Crab lol (though I believe I was dressed up as a lobster lol).

I did a little pet sleep-over and watched some dogs for a client. The four HUGE dogs and I had a 3-hour war to determine whether or not they would be allowed to sleep with me. They won. And to celebrate their victory one of them broke into the leather chews. 1-problem. It wasn't the Leather Fruit Chews she got ahold of... it was my pair of work shoes.

Work was great lol... mostly... lol... Really would have preferred to be at the St. Patty's Day Parade... but I relished receiving beads (and the occasional pinch) from the customers.

Well, I'm back to petsitting the girls. They really are beautiful. Chat later!

LOVE, HUGS, AND GIGGLES

-

- THE KIMMY

JUST A CHILD OF GOD SEEKING TO PLEASE DADDY

Hey yall...
Geesh... I'm so excited... and for what? I dunno... lol

Yesterday was great... J.Dad and I had fun freaking each other out on the paper route... We have this ongoing scary story we've been making up about this park next to the route we do... we call it "Children of the Park." Our paranoia combined with our overtime-working imaginations are almost a little too much handle together lol...

Had fun at work yesterday... kept getting J-boy splattered with the shake machine... HAHAHA... meanwhile I somehow managed to stay clean... lol...

I'll be leaving here in a bit to spend the day with my mom... then off to petsitting! I can't wait! lol
Getting paid to sleep ... yay!

But anywayz... yesterday I was talking to Bo and J-Ro about marriage and stuff. They think I'm absolutely crazy out of my mind for not wanting to get married... for some reason they think being alone = being lonely... why do people do that? What's so wrong with yourself that you can't be by yourself without being lonely? There's tons of stuff to do, places to go, and people to see. You don't have to settle down and do nothing once all of your friends get married... you can continue on in your life, granted it may not be with the same people that it contained originally... geesh...

I'm not saying that some guy 5-10 years down the road won't ride up in his tank, nuke my heart, and drag me away to get hitched... but I'm content where I'm at and if I don't get married (and at this point I really prefer not to be) then my life will not be void and null... That rant done...

I'm so excited about getting this new apartment... I really hope to be there by May 1st.... no later... 2 biggest things I'm looking forward to... - getting my hope chest (for my apartment) in my possession and MY OWN FREAKIN BATHROOM lol... sharing 1 bathroom with 10 people... it's been a great experience... but I'm ready for the REAL DEAL... lol...

Well, gotta get off... gots stuff to do!

LOVE, HUGS, and GIGGLES!

- The Kimmy

Just a Child of God Seeking to Please Daddy

Featured Book

Sweet Caroline

by Rachel Hauck

When a Southern waitress inherits the Lowcountry cafe where she works, she suddenly has to balance more than just her next food order.

Caroline Sweeney has always done the right thing--the responsible, dependable thing--unlike her mother who abandoned her family. But when her best friend challenges her to accept an exciting job adventure in Barcelona, Spain, Caroline says "yes" to destiny.

Then, without warning, ownership of the run-down cafe where she's been waitressing falls right into Caroline's lap. While she's trying to determine the cafe's future, handsome Deputy Sherriff J.D. Rand captures Caroline's heart.

But when her first love, Mitch O'Neal, comes back to town, fresh from the heat of his newly-found fame as a country music singer in Nashville, Caroline must make some hard choices about love and the pursuit of the sweet life.

I graduated from Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!) with a degree in Journalism. As a member of Phi Mu sorority, I partied my way though the last few years of college.But, the truth is, and always will be, I belong to Jesus. At the age of six, I knelt at the altar of a Tulsa Methodist church and gave my life to the One who loves me.After graduation, hired on at Harris Publishing as a software trainer, determined to see the world. And I did it without a laptop, a cell phone, an IPod or portable DVD player. Those were hard times.But, I traveled to Ireland, Spain, Venezuela, Mexico, Australia, Canada and the U.S. from California to Maine. But, life on the road is difficult. Working twelve to fourteen hour days, one doesn't get to see many of the sites. In Ireland, our company's distributor drove me around at night so I could see something of Dublin.I met Tony, my husband, in '87, at church, of all places. We got married in '92. Tony has been a pastor for twenty years. I've worked with him in eighteen of those twenty. Our heart is to see teens and adults passionate, radical and whole hearted for Jesus.Tony and I don't have any children of our own, lots of kids-in-the-Lord and we love them all. However, we do have a very spoiled dog, and an even more spoiled cat.I've always wanted to be a writer. My dad used to tell me, "You're a writer." I have letters he wrote me post college, exhorting me to write. In this, I believe he had the heart of God.In '93, I started an epic WW2 novel with two plots. It was well rejected. After that ordeal, I took a break and put efforts into my job as a software project manager. But, I missed writing and in late ' 99, I took up the craft again.With a little help from my friends, my first book was published in ' 04, Lambert's Pride, a romance novel. I love writing chick lit and romance. I love writing. What an honor.Rachel has several other books that have been received with great praise, including Diva Nash Vegas and Lost In Nash VegasYou can purchase copies of Rachel's books, signed personally for you,at this site: Signed by the Author.com

Buy the book at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1595543376

Visit the website at: http://rachelhauck.com


This is definitely one of my new favorite books! The chick's real - you can totally relate to her (well at least I can lol). And KUDOS, KUDOS, and MORE KUDOS on the ending! Totally awesome!

- THE KIMMY

Featured Book -

The Perfect Life

by Robin Lee Hatcher

Katherine Clarkson has the perfect life. Married to Brad, a loving and handsome husband, respected in their church and the community. Two grown daughters on the verge of starting families of their own. A thriving ministry. Good friends. A comfortable life. She has it all--until the day a reporter appears with shocking allegations.

Splashed across the local news are accusations of Brad's financial impropriety at his foundation and worse, an affair with a former employee. Without warning, Katherine's marriage is shattered and her family torn apart. The reassuring words she's spoken to many brokenhearted women over the years offer little comfort now.

Her world spinning, Katherine wonders if she can find the truth in the chaos that consumes her. How can she survive the loss of what she thought was the perfect life?

Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (Whispers from Yesterday), the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance (Patterns of Love and The Shepherd's Voice), two RT Career Achievement Awards (Americana Romance and Inspirational Fiction), and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 50 novels, including Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal. Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She is passionate about the theater, and several nights every summer, she can be found at the outdoor amphitheater of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, enjoying Shakespeare under the stars. She makes her home outside of Boise, sharing it with Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon. She also likes to blog. Go leave her a comment at Write Thinking!

This book was totally a different read for me. I must say I have never read one from this point of view. Kudos on the material!

-The Kimmy

Buy this book at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1595541489

View the website at: http://www.robinleehatcher.com/

CHICKEE OF THE MONTH:

Julie Carobini

author of Chocolate Beach and Truffles by the Sea

For: Her Newest Book and Truffle Giveaway!

(not giving out spoilers... but girls... it's good!)

Don't know what I'm talking about?

Check out her blogspot!

http://juliecarobini.blogspot.com/

(Not a suck up - just addicted to chocolate! lol)

-The Kimmy

Featured Book

Truffles By The Sea

by Julie Carobini

If you read Julie's first book, Chocolate Beach, then you might remember Gaby as Bri’s dramatic, lovesick best friend. Unfortunately, things get worse — much worse — for her before they get…well, best not to give it away.

Sometimes all a girl has left is chocolate...

Gaby Flores has a penchant for drama and an unfortunate knack for dating Mr. So Wrong. After breaking off yet another relationship, watching her apartment building burn to the ground, and discovering that her dippy delivery guy has run off with most of her business, Gaby decides it’s time to turn things around. So she moves to a tiny waterfront loft and takes on a new motto: “Be gullible no more!” With help from her friends, she works to rebuild her flower shop — and her life. But when legal troubles, quirky neighbors, and two surprising romances enter her beachy world, Gaby’s motto and fledgling faith are put to the test.

Can a young woman prone to disaster in both

work and love finally find happily ever after?

Julie Carobini is an award-winning writer whose stories often spotlight her family, the sea, and God's timely work in the lives of those around her. She lives with her husband, Dan, and their three children in Ventura Beach, California. She also likes to blog! Go leave her a comment at Waves of Grace.

Buy the book at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764204270

Visit the website at: http://www.juliecarobini.com/

I absolutely loved this book. It took me a minute to get into since I'm not normally into chick-lit, but once I was in - I was hooked. I LOVED the characters - they were not the ordinary; yet I know each one of them in real life which made it an entertaining read. lol GREAT JOB!

- THE KIMMY