The Constantine Conspiracy

The Constantine Conspiracy

by:  Gary E. Parker

The innocent don't run--unless their lives depend on it.

When international playboy Rick Carson stumbles onto a murder in his Montana home, he knows his life will never be the same. But he certainly doesn't expect to be the prime suspect. And he doesn't expect to find himself in the middle of a 1700-year-old conspiracy with tentacles reaching into the very highest levels of the government.

Park ranger Shannon Bridge is the first responding law enforcement agent on the scene. She seems legitimate, but is there more to her than meets the eye? Why is she willing to help Rick elude the law?

With unanswered questions and the law closing in, Shannon and Rick must find some way to exonerate him--and expose the truth before it's too late. In a place where no one is who they say they are and danger lurks around every corner, can they even trust each other?

Get swept up in this thrilling tale of international intrigue, conspiracy, and the power of truth.

My Review:  I always enjoy a good fast-paced suspense story.  This one had elements that reminded me of "The Da Vinci Code", because of its intrigue and historical aspects.  I was captivated throughout the storyline, and did not find it to be too predictable at all.  Definitely a good book for those who love a good action story.

***Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.  Available now at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group***

Masquerade

Masquerade

by:  Nancy Moser

They risk it all for adventure and romance,
but find that love only flourishes in truth...

1886. Charlotte Gleason embarks from England with conflicting emotions. She is headed for New York to marry one of America's wealthiest heirs--a man she has never even met. When her doubts gain the upper hand, she swaps identities with her maid Dora. She wants a chance at "real life," even if it means giving up financial security. For Charlotte, it's a risk she's willing to take. But what begins as the whim of a spoiled rich girl becomes a test of survival beyond her blackest nightmare.

For Dora, it's the chance of a lifetime. She is thrust into a fairy tale amid ball gowns and lavish mansions, yet is tormented by the possibility of discovery--and humiliation. And what of the man who believes she is indeed his intended? Is this what her heart truly longs for?

Nancy Moser is the author of three inspirational humor books and a eighteen novels, including Mozart's Sister, Just Jane, and Time Lottery, a Christy Award winner. She is an inspirational speaker, giving seminars around the country. She has earned a degree in architecture; run a business with her husband; traveled extensively in Europe; and has performed in various theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She and her husband have three grown children and make their home in the Midwest. Read more about her books at www.nancymoser.com.

My Review:  This was a fresh take on the "Princess and the Pauper".  A spoiled rich girl is tired of the pointless existence of her life when she is being forced to marry a man simply for his money.  She convinces her maid to swap places with her on the long journey across the ocean, but is then surprised that life isn't as easy on the other side either.  It was interesting to see her slowly discover her new identity, and pride in her own accomplishments as a person without financial means.  I also enjoyed the struggles of the maid, from a rags to riches lifestyle she fears her discovery as an outsider. This was a book that I couldn't put down, even though I was fairly certain of the ending!

***Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.  Available now at your favorite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group***

Angel Song

Angel Song

by:  Sheila Walsh & Kathryn Cushman

When Annie Fletcher returns to Charleston to see her younger sister, Sarah, receive her master’s degree, she finds herself riding in the back of an ambulance, watching helplessly as Sarah fights for life. During the ride, Sarah appears to talk to someone who is not there, humming a melody Annie has never heard before.

Neighbor Ethan McKinney lends a shoulder when Sarah unexpectedly dies. And as a carpenter, Ethan volunteers to help Annie get the Fletcher family home into shape for selling. Ethan’s presence is distracting, but what troubles Annie is her neighbor Tammy’s 12-year-old son. Keith has Down Syndrome and the guile to believe he can see and hear angels.

God begins to reveal Himself to Annie – both in her newfound friends and through heart-rending and clearly supernatural events. Annie discovers faith in God, finally experiencing the comfort that His angels really do surround us.

My Review:  I thought this was easy to read, and was a wonderfully heartwarming story.  Through the sweetness of a little boy with Down Syndrome, the main character is finally able to understand what is truly important in life.  I enjoyed reading Angel Song.

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

Neglect

So I have been neglecting this blog once again.  (Shocking, I know!)

I have been in a bit of a funk, too much going on, and yet at the same time, not enough worthy of blogging about.

And if I'm being completely honest, I am a wee bit lonely.

Not because I haven't had any company out here since our move last month.  In fact, we have had quite a few visitors already which I greatly appreciate.  We are getting more visitors next week as well.

In spite of all of this busyness (of holidays, visitors, house renos, trying to pick classes for school, and the stress of all of it) I have still managed to become sad.

It's also not because I haven't met some people around town.  One of John's coworkers attends "our" church and we have seemed to hit it off nicely already with his family.  We have been welcomed by neighbours, the church and the RCMP family.

But it's still difficult to adjust to moving.  I don't KNOW anyone here.  There is no one here who really understands who we are and gets us.  Everyone that I am close with is far away.

Until today I had been bottling it all up.  I realize that is not a healthy option, but it was the option I took nevertheless.

The thing that pushed me over the edge?

My sewing machine.

I decided to try to get myself out of this sadness by beginning on Ella's quilt.  I figured that I would have a solid couple of weeks to work on it before the craziness of September begins.  I got a brand new work table this week (which was an entire ORDEAL in itself!  Let's just say that Ikea needs to work on their customer service) to use exclusively for my crafty adventures.  It is set up in our bedroom by a big bright window.  I had been excited to start sewing again;  all the fabric was washed, ironed and cut out already.  The only thing left to do was to turn on the sewing machine and begin putting it together.

Insert frustration here!!!!!

Stupid machine keeps jamming on me and I got nowhere after 90 minutes of trying last night.  (I cleaned it, I tried to sew again.  Then I took it apart and cleaned it again to no avail.  It still jams on me.)

I think it was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Today I have been battling the tears.

It did open up some good discussion between John and I today.  We each are feeling it in different ways, but it is good to know that HE understands what I am going through.  We aren't always good at communicating (is anyone?!?) but I'm glad that we are on the same page.

Moving is never easy.  Especially when it wasn't really our decision in the first place.  We don't really handle change well, especially when it means stepping out of our comfort zones and meeting new people.

But... we are together.   My stupid sewing machine is not working, and may actually end up getting smashed into a million pieces, but we are together.

And for now, that will have to do.

Quick Thoughts

This past month has been a whirlwind of busy activities!  There is no good way to properly summarize all that has gone on so I thought I would just give a brief list of some of my current thoughts.

1. Painting a room is relatively cheap.  Painting the entire floor of a house in a month (including ceilings) gets more expensive.
2. Getting a hold of any general contractor to get a quote is very irritating and pointless.
3. Moving has been very stressful on my kids.
4. Camping with our good friends this past week was good for everyone, until we needed to say goodbye to them once again.
5. I wish I could save my girls from the pain of missing their best friends and family and it breaks my heart to see them cry.
6. Toy Story 3 was awesome but definitely worthy of kleenex.
7. We are looking forward to a much-needed trip to Ikea this week so I can continue unpacking my boxes.
8. The kids are also excited about watersliding and Calaway Park!  (nothing like a fun diversion to help them forget that they are sad too)
9. Small town church hospitality is amazing!  You won't find such a warm welcome anywhere else.
10. Our neighbours are much friendlier than in our previous town and there are kids everywhere.
11. 2 boys came to our yard the other day and asked our girls to kiss them.  (just imagine how happy protective daddy John was when he heard this...I think I may have seen steam come out of his ears!)
12. The girls thought the kissing boys were odd which may have led John and I to give a slight cheer when we think of them 10 years from now.
13. I am hoping to start Ella's quilt this month.
14. I also need to figure out some solutions to school stuff as the U of R is not offering anything applicable for this upcoming fall semester.  I may have to outsource through another distance university such as Athabasca and just know that I am paying approx. $200 more per class this way.  Sigh.  It is expensive.
15. Today is the 15-year anniversary of when John asked me out.  Happy "anniversary" sweetie!  I love you.

Back On Murder

Back On Murder
by:  J. Mark Bertrand

A missing girl.
A corrupt investigation.

They thought they could get away with it, but they forgot one thing:

Roland March is BACK ON MURDER

Houston homicide detective Roland March was once one of the best. Now he's disillusioned, cynical, and on his way out. His superiors farm him out on a variety of punishment details•until an unexpected break gives March one last chance to save his career. And his humanity.

All he has to do? Find the missing teenage daughter of a Houston evangelist that every cop in town is already looking for. But March has an inside track, a multiple murder nobody else thinks is connected. Battling a new partner, an old nemesis, and the demons of his past, getting to the truth could cost March everything. Even his life.

Mark Bertrand has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Houston. After one hurricane too many, he left Houston and relocated with his wife Laurie to the plains of South Dakota. For more information, visit www.jmarkbertrand.com 


My Review:  I enjoyed this fast-paced action book.  It was full of suspense and I had a great time trying to figure out the ending.  The main character was intriguing;  he was cynical and and a broken fragment of the popular man that he used to be.  I am looking forward to reading more books in the Roland March series!

***Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.  Available now at your favorite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group***

Changes (again!)

***There was a problem viewing the pictures before so I have tried to copy them in a different way this time!***

I have been very slow to update my blog, what with the water "issues" in our old house right before the move. Here's a collage of photos to show the basement in the middle of the demolition process. They essentially ripped out a section of the walls (which were ugly panelling anyways), tore out cupboards (aka the bar), and although I don't have pictures of the completed demos they also took out the shower as well. The new owners should be able to proceed with their repairs very shortly, once the construction estimate is finished.

Here's another collage of our old house. We sure grew to love this house. It was open and very spacious and it also had LOTS of built in storage (most of which I thought I would never use... and now I miss SO MUCH). The day we moved into this house was the day that Brie started walking on her own. Definitely lots of good memories in here, right from the very first day. It's always difficult to walk away from those memories but I am so very thankful for our camcorder to help us remember.

Some pictures are before packing and some are after. It's amazing how quickly our contents were reduced to boxes. There was some stress as the packers came a day earlier than anticipated but it all worked out alright in the end.

And now for our new home. As of today we have been here for 2 weeks already. We have already done some painting (there was WAY too much of that mustard color, including on the ceilings!) and made some smaller purchases in order to make this space our own. I will show the "after" photos another time, but for now you can see what it looked like on the day we moved in.

We are beginning to make this our home and I absolutely love the bright open concept that we get to enjoy here, especially the brand new kitchen! The girls are really enjoying their bunkbed and sharing a room with each other. We also bought them a trampoline on the weekend, to replace their old swingset which we sold before we moved. It has been a big hit!