We all deal with problems in our lives.

I’m a woman of faith. When my life seems as if it is spinning out of control I look upward for guidance and steering. God has been beyond goo to me. I have been blessed with two children when I didn’t know if I would have any. When my marriage hit a rough patch He was there to deliver us through it, and when we lost our third child it was by His grace that I survived.

Even with all of the wonderful thing God has done in my life, there are times when I lose sight of how wonderful He really is. When I hit this point it’s through the stories of other that draw me closer to God. And no story has awed me more then the story of Kristen Anderson.

In her book “Life, in Spite of Me,” written with Tricia Goyer, Kristen tells her story. The story of a young girl who finds herself trying ot deal with the loss of three friends and her grandmother in just two years. The story of a girl who finds herself the victim of rape. The story of a girl who dives into a deep and seemingly endless depression.

The story of a seventeen year old girl who doesn’t see a way out and so decided to end her life. She lays down on a set of railroad tracks and wits for her pain to end.

But her story doesn’t end, it just begins.

In her book Kristen talks about her miraculous survival that night and the aftermath she faced and the hope that replaced despair. Kristen’s story is one filled with not just hope, but courage and grace.

It reminds us all that there is truly only one person in charge and through Him we will either be delivered into, from, or through the fire. No matter which it is, He will be there.

This book touched me in such an amazing way. I want you to experience it also. Thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah publishing I have two copies of this incredibly inspiring book to giveaway.

RULES FOR ENTRY:
Leave a comment telling me where you find your inspiration when having a rough day.

EXTRA ENTRIES (leave a separate comment for each):
Subscribe to Mad Hatter Mom via RSS or Email
Follow Mad Hatter Mom on Google Friend Connect
Like Mad Hatter Mom on Facebook
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GIVEAWAY ENDS JUNE 9TH! 2 WINNERS!

That’s not all! Tricia Goyer is also holding a special giveaway in honor of this book. For a chance to win a 5 book Tricia Goyer libarary (any 5 books of your choice!) Tweet this:

Don’t miss Life, In Spite of Me by @TriciaGoyer! The amazing story of #KristenAnderson journey back from #suicide! http://bit.ly/98PKmo

Check out what others are saying about the book by visiting the participants in the Blog Tour.

*Dislosure: I was given a copy of this book to review as part of the LitFuse Flock. I also received additional copies from the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*

It’s just amazing to me that I have been blessed recently with amazing books to read. And LitFuse has done it again! They have provided me with a book that really spoke to me. It touched me, it made me look at my life and allowed me to find an area in my relationship with God that I can strive to make better.

A Distant Melody is the debut novel by Sarah Sundin. Not only is the it the debut novel, it is also the first book in a trilogy planned by Ms. Sundin called Wings Of Glory which will follow all the Novak brothers, B-17 bomber pilots with the US Eighth Air Force stationed in England during World War II.

Here’s a brief synopsis of the book:
Never pretty enough to please her gorgeous mother, Allie will do anything to gain her approval–even marry a man she doesn’t love. Lt. Walter Novak–fearless in the cockpit but hopeless with women–takes his last furlough at home in California before being shipped overseas. Walt and Allie meet at a wedding and their love of music draws them together, prompting them to begin a correspondence that will change their lives. As letters fly between Walt’s muddy bomber base in England and Allie’s mansion in an orange grove, their friendship binds them together. But can they untangle the secrets, commitments, and expectations that keep them apart?

My take on the book:
Obviously I loved it! I just really felt this book. Yes it’s a love story, yes it’s set in war and those really add to the story. But I love really loved that it was about a woman finding her way through her relationship with God. Not only that but the man in her life is nothing but supportive telling her to go after the yearning that she is experiencing. She risks losing everything to follow the path God has laid for her knowing full well that He will take care of her.

To celebrate this release, Sarah is hosting a super fun Social Sharing Contest!

THE CONTEST:

A Distant Melody, Book 1 in Sarah Sundin’s exciting Wings of Glory series, is in stores now! To celebrate the release, one Grand Prize winner the chance to get nostalgic!

THE PRIZE:

The Winner of our ‘NETFLIX® & Nostalgia’ giveaway will receive a vintage prize package, including:

• A 6 month NETFLIX® subscription
• $25 Starbucks® gift card
• A box of See’s Famous Old Time Chocolates®
• A jar of homemade strawberry jam
• A Big Band music CD
• A Mini B-17 Model airplane
• Vintage stationery and pen
• British specialty tea
• WWII style playing cards

To enter just click on the icon above! Contest will be live April 5th and run through April 25th!

And if you want to check out the book it’s available from Amazon!

Having the opportunity to review books is one of my favorite aspects of being a blogger. I’ve been a reader for so long that sharing my love of literature with my kids is super important to me. I want them to grow up looking forward to a reading assignment in school instead of dreading it which I see so many kids now do.

I’ve recently started saying nightly prayers with my kids. Being 5 and 3 they are often confused about what they should pray for. I try to tell them that they should pray for things that are on their heart or thank God for something he has done for them. But still most nights are filled with more questions than prayers.

The book This Little Prayer of Mine by Anthony DeStefano is really a prayer in a book. A prayer that includes asking God to be there with us when we are scared, sad, and even asking for forgiveness when we are doing things we know aren’t right.

In addition to asking for these things, there is also praise. Praise to God for the things that we do have and the things that He creates for us to see.

The prayer asks God to help us be like Him. To share His love by caring for others, giving back, and sharing our talents.

It concludes by just asking God to continue to love us, because that really all we want. That love will give us the tools we need to accomplish everything.

The illustrations by Mark Elliott are beautiful and really helped my kids see what it was we were praying about.

If you would like to purchase this book to share with your family, you can do so from the Random House website.

Or, I have a 2nd copy of this book to GIVEAWAY!

Rules for Entry:

• Leave a comment telling me one of your loves that you plan on sharing with your children or even nieces and nephews.

Extra Entries (Leave separate comment for each):

• Subscribe to Mad Hatter Mom via RSS or email
• Follow Mad Hatter Mom on Google Friend Connect
• Become a Fan of Mad Hatter Mom on Facebook
• Vote for Mad Hatter Mom to be a Top Mommy Blog

CONTEST CLOSES ON APRIL 23RD!

GOOD LUCK!

Disclaimer: “This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.”

I love when a book surprises me.

When I first started reading Here Burns My Candle, I had a hard time getting into the story. For starters I’m not the biggest fan of historical fiction. I much prefer a book set close to present time, mainly because I can relate to it more.

And that’s where the surprise came in.

First, here is the synopsis the publisher gives of the book.

Lady Elisabeth Kerr is a keeper of secrets. A Highlander by birth and a Lowlander by marriage, she honors the ‘auld’ ways, even as doubts and fears stir deep within her.
Her husband, Lord Donald, has secrets of his own, well hidden from the household, yet whispered among the town gossips.
His Mother, the dowager Lady Marjory, hides gold beneath her floor and guilt inside her heart. Though her two abiding passions are maintaining her place in society and coddling her grown sons, Marjory’s many regrets, buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, continue to plague her.
One by one the Kerr family secrets begin to surface, even as bonny Prince Charlie and his rebel army ride into Edinburgh in September 1745, intent on capturing the crown.

So, remember how I said I didn’t think I could relate to this book? I related more than I thought possible.

In my opinion this book is about, first of all, finding your true faith and the strength of a woman. The Heroine experiences so many trials in her life. She struggles like so many of us to make it through and conquer. I was so enthralled in this book that I actually stayed up until about 4am one night to finish it. I just HAD to know what would happen to Lady Elisabeth next because there were several things that she went through that I have as well. I was just so inspired with the dignity in which she handled herself and the situations that arose. I know that in the 1700′s a prim and proper woman was much more common that it is now. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not as proper as I should be at times. But here is a woman that must deal with a not so nice mother-in-law, a sister-in-law who looks down at her, and a husband who is the talk of the town for his extra curricular activities and yet she handles it beautifully. I’m not going to give too much away in the book but really, Lady Elisabeth is the woman many of us should strive to be like.

As a special treat Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing, who provided me with the book for review, has also created a trailer for the book. I just love that publishers are doing this now. Take a look.

And now I have a surprise for you! I have a 2nd copy that I get to give to one of my readers!

Rules for Enter (You must do one of the following, leave a separate comment for each entry):

• Follow Mad Hatter Mom on Google Friend Connect
• Follow Mad Hatter Mom on Networked Blogs from Facebook
• Become a Fan of Mad Hatter Mom on Facebook
• Follow Mad Hatter Mom on Twitter
• Subscribe via RSS or Email
• Go check out another post on Mad Hatter Mom and leave a comment

Contest Ends April 4th at Midnight PST

Open to the U.S. and Canada

GOOD LUCK!

My book shelves are overflowing with books lately. And I love it!

Recently, I finished Screen Play by Chris Coppernoll. It again is a Christian Fiction book and I have to tell you, I’m enjoying this genre more than I ever thought I could.

First off, I like to provide with the synopsis from the publisher before giving you my opinion.

At thirty, Harper fears her chances for a thriving acting career and finding true love are both fading fast. After a devastating year of unemployment and isolation in Chicago, Harper is offered an unexpected role in a Broadway play – as understudy to New York’s biggest diva – and everthing in Harper’s world changes.

Harper also hopes to find love in NYC, but when it doesn’t happen, she reluctantly signs up to an online matchmaking site. Frustration mounts when the only match Harper is even remotely interested in lives in a remote territory on the opposite coast, thousands of miles away. A faith conversation during her year in Chicago shapes how Harper sees everything. She wants to see God at work in her life, but His ways are mysterious, and she’s faced with challenges in a secular world of Broadway. Harper feels like an actress who doesn’t act and a woman in love with someone she’s never even seen, but God’s about to change all that.

There is more but I wanted to get a word in here too.

The thing that struck me the most was that this book is written from Harper’s point of view. Why was this impressive, well because Chris Coppernoll is a man. I know it’s very sexist of me but hear me out. I have not read many books written by a male that the main character is a woman. And he did it very well!

Probably my favorite aspect of this book is how Harper has the courage to keep her faith and act on it even though everyone and thing around her is telling her to do otherwise. It is truly a wonderful example of giving it up to God and just following him and he will take of you, or those you love.

Faith, friends, and love. What more could you ask for in a book?

*I received this book to review as a blogger for B & B Media Group*

I am super blessed to be a part of the LitFuse flock of bloggers.

Through LitFuse I get to check out the latest books from a variety of publishers, which really works for me because I absolutely LOVE to read! Books are such a passion and when there is a book that teaches me a lesson along the way, I fall in love with literature all over again.

This week I am participating in the Blog Tour for the newest novel by Susan May Warren. Sons of Thunder is actually the first in a collection of books Susan is writing which will be called the Brothers in Arms Collection.

Sons of Thunder is a wonderfully written romantic and suspenseful book. Set in the early 1900′s, it tells the story of 2 brothers who flee Greece for America. They are thrown into the American ways all the while trying to keep some sense of who they are. Added into the mix is a love interest who is torn between the two. Susan transports you from a fishing village in Greece to the mob war ridden streets of Chicago onto the World War II battlefields of Europe. Sons of Thunder is really the 3 separate stories of Brothers Markos and Dino and Sofia, the girl who has won their hearts.

Honestly though the thing that touched me the most about this book was the message. In every hurt, God heals and repairs. Through Him our regrets, transgressions, and emotional wounds will be wiped clean and cured. I think this is something that is easy for us to forget. Many of us have a hard time leaving a past behind when it is just that. The past. We must buckle down look toward the future and what we will do with our lives then.

Along with this review I’m happy to pass on some great contests that Susan and LitFuse are offering.

Susan recognizes that all of us have a story. Were your great-grandparents ‘fresh off the boat’? Was your great uncle a war hero? Did your grandmother make unbelievable sacrifices to help or protect the family? Did your father harbor a family secret until his death? Are you related to someone famous? Do you have a family treasure? Whatever it is that is unique in your family history – share it with us. Visit the Brothers in Arms website, click the SHARE button on the right sidebar. Enter your story in the form at the bottom of the page. If you have a photo to go along with your story email it to amy@susanmaywarren.com

One grand prize winner will win a Memory Prize package containing a gift certificate to create your own hard cover photo book, a 6 month membership to Netflix (to satisfy that flick fix!) and a signed copy of Sons of Thunder!

5 runners up will also win signed copies of Sons of Thunder!

The other great thing is your story will be featured on the website!

You can also be entered to win a copy of Sons of Thunder by helping spread the word during the blog tour!

TWEET THIS must use hashtag #SonsofThunder to be entered – no limit on entries! Tweet away!)

Please RT! @susanmaywarren launches new Romantic Suspense #SonsofThunder. Share your story 2 win a fab prize pack! http://ow.ly/1digM

Wow.

It’s not everyday that I can begin a book review with that word.

This morning I finished reading the latest release from Joseph Monninger, “Eternal on the Water”.

Wow.

That’s right, I am almost completely speechless. I worry that the words I use to describe this book will not do it justice. This book that is part The Notebook,, part Mr. Hollands Opus, and part Romeo and Juliet.

A love story that is based on Yeti love. Being in a universe, on a continent, in a country, in a state, in a county, on a river, in a small yellow boat. All of these things had to happen in order for Mary Fury and Jonathan Cobb to meet and fall in love.

The love story that transcends borders. Beginning on a river in Maine, to Indonesia, to Yellowstone and back. Their love was so sudden and so right, that they would follow each other anywhere and promise each other anything.

When Mary’s life takes a turn, she vows to bow out gracefully on the river she loves and where they fell in love. She makes Cobb promise that they will return together for one last farewell.

I began crying on page 325 and didn’t stop for 30 minutes after the last page was read.

By far my favorite passage in this book.. “..We don’t fear birth, so why do we fear death so much? No one knows where we were before we came into the world. After we leave the world, we’ll be okay, too.”

Inspiring, emotional, endearing. Three simple words to describe this book.

Because this book touched in a way that not many books have, I want to share it with you, my readers.
I am giving away my copy of Eternal on the Water for your reading pleasure.

To enter you MUST:

• Leave a comment with your favorite love story.

Extra entries:

• Link to this blog on your own site
• Follow through Google Friend Connect
• Subscribe to this blog

The contest will end February 24th at 3pm EST *Open to US residents only*

“Pedal down, live it all.”

This book can be purchased at Amazon.com

*Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book for review from Simon & Schuster.*

When I was asked if I wanted to join this blog tour, I hesitated.

I’m super interested in the Amish culture but I thought the book was just going to be a run of the mill romance. Girl loves boy, boy messes up, girl forgives boy, and they live happily ever after.

Thankfully, my curiosity won out and I signed up. Boy am I glad I did!

Suzanne writes a book that is filled with LIFE!

In The Choice you follow the story of Carrie Weaver as she struggles to balance picking up the pieces of her broken heart and finding her way in her Amish faith.

“A tender story of love, forgiveness, and looking below the surface, The Choice uncovers the sweet simplicity of the Amish world-and shows that it’s never too late to find your way back to God.”

If you are looking for a sweet love story that throws a few monkey wrenches at you just when you think you have it figured out, then this is the book for you!

*Warning* This is book one of a new series that Suzanne is writing. Prepare to be hooked!

Sadly, I don’t have a copy to give away BUT that doesn’t mean you still can’t win one.

Enter to win a signed copy of the book! All you have to do is Tweet this:

Psst… pass it on! Join @suzannewfisher for a Book Bomb & Author Talk! Details here http://ow.ly/W84r #thechoice

Also, join the author, Suzanne Woods Fisher, for Author Talk, a LIVE Chat, on Monday, February 15th at 8PM EST for an evening of chatter and fun!

This event acts as the closing ceremony for the BLOG TOUR.

You can hear the story behind The Choice, win some great prizes (Amish cook books, Auntie Anne’s Pretzel gift certificates, Amazon gift certificates), get a sneak peak at her upcoming releases, and join in the chatter! Suzanne will be answering all your burning questions and asking a few of her own. (oh, and hint, hint. Be sure check out Suzanne’s website www.suzannewoodsfisher.com before the party – the answers to the trivia contests can ALL be found on there!)

To participate, simply head to the EVENT PAGE on the 15th, 8 pm EST (7 pm CST, 6 pm MST, 5 pm PST) and join in the conversation. We’ll use the Event Wall to chat (just hit refresh to keep up with the current conversation) and we’ll post all the info and trivia questions in the Description section.

Also – Suzanne will be making a fun announcement about something she’s launching this spring. You won’t want to miss it!

*Disclosure: Book received free of charge for participation in blog tour.*

Oh, I wish I would have had this book in December!

Beyond the Attractions by Lisa Bauttista is a necessity if you are planning a trip to Disney World with your children.

From what to pack and where to stay to the best places to meet characters, this is the best guide to Disney World with preschoolers.

I tried to do a lot of research before we went on our vacation in December but I learned a lot from this book. So much in fact that I am now kicking myself for not doing some things I read about and I am eagerly awaiting our next visit which sadly won’t be anytime soon.

In addition to 12 chapters covering every aspect of the parks there are also 7 quick reference appendices that cover resort playgrounds/pools, dining and recreation rates, must-do lists and more.

Here is just one of the many tips that you can find in the book:

“Groceries. Depending on your accommodations, you may wish to purchase groceries to prepare simple meals. There are local delivery services that will deliver groceries to your Walt Disney World hotel (see Appendix A). The bell stands have the capability to refrigerate perishable groceries until your arrival. Additionally, you can ship non-perishables to your hotel. Contact your hotel for specifics on holding and delivering the groceries to your room.”

And again, this is just the tip of the iceberg! There are some really cool things that I don’t want to tell you about because I don’t want too many people to know about them. So if you want to know all the ins and outs of Disney World with preschools then buy this book!

Of course, what’s better than going to Disney World? Winning Beyond the Attractions!

That’s right, special thanks to the author, Lisa Bauttista, for supplying one lucky reader with their own copy of the book!

I’m going to make this easy. There will be 1 mandatory entry and 3 extra entries. If the mandatory entry is not complete, the extra entries will not count.

MANDATORY:

1. Visit www.BeyondtheAttractions.com and leave a comment listing one of the updates that was made to this version of the book.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. Subscribe to this blog.
2. Follow this blog on Google Friend Connect.
3. Add my button to your blog/site.

You must be at least 18yrs of age and only one entry (per method) per household. The contest will end on January 25th at 3pm EST. The winner will be notified by email (make sure to use a valid email when leaving a comment) and have 48 hrs to respond or a new winner will be chosen. *Please see my “Policies” page for further rules*

GOOD LUCK!

*Disclosure: I received Beyond the Attractions for free in exchange for my opinion of the book and hosting this giveaway.*

In with the books!

One of my new year’s resolutions is to read more. I have had a love for books since I was 4 years old.

For whatever reason reading came easy for me. I basically taught myself and at times would run out of things to read so I would end up reading encyclopedias or the Bible. The nice thing is this would clue my mom into the fact that it was time to make the trip to our local library again.

Sadly, as I got older and my life became more chaotic my free time for reading went out the window. Sure I was still able to fit in a few books a year while taking advantage of the only quiet time I could acquire, (mostly in the bathroom, )but that was nothing compared to the 5 books a week I was used to.

So, this year I shall strive to get my literary butt in gear!

Thanks to the fine people at B & B Media, I was given a couple of great books and although I actually read them “last” year, I’m going to post my reviews now in the hopes that it jumps starts me.

First up is the latest novel by Kimberly Stuart. Stretch Marks is the witty, romantic story of Mia Rathburn. Mia is a twenty-something living in Chicago with her boyfriend, Lars, who doesn’t believe in marriage but isn’t opposed to spending his life with Mia. Mia feels much the same way; until she gets pregnant.

When Lars freaks and takes off Mia is left to adjust to the thought of single parenthood when her estranged cruise ship hostess mother, Babs, sweeps into town to help.

What I loved about this book was the evolution of the relationships within. When you can relate to the characters and understand exactly what they are going through, THAT’s when the book hits home.

Stretch Marks touches on the topics of divorce, sex outside of marriage and single parenthood. But perhaps the most important topic is that of a community family. It really hits the importance of  having a community support around you during pregnancy and motherhood.

I could go on and on about this book, (i.e. Adam,) but I don’t want to give too much away. Let me just say that it was easy to read and I found myself carrying it with me every where just to fit in a few more pages.  Put his on your to-be read list for 2010!

This book receives:

4.5 out of 5 Mad Hatter Hats

This book can be purchased at:

*Disclosure: I received Stretch Marks for free in exchange for my opinion of the book.*
photo credit: a440