White Picket Fences- Review and Giveaway

White Picket Fences

By Susan Meissner

Summary: Amanda Janvier’s idyllic home seems the perfect place for her niece Tally to stay while her vagabond brother is in Europe, but the white picket fence life Amanda wants to provide is a mere illusion. Amanda’s husband Neil refuses to admit their teenage son Chase, is haunted by the horrific fire he survived when he was four, and their marriage is crumbling while each looks the other way. Tally and Chase bond as they interview two Holocaust survivors for a sociology project, and become startlingly aware that the whole family is grappling with hidden secrets, with the echoes of the past, and with the realization that ignoring tragic situations won’t make them go away. Readers of emotional dramas that are willing to explore the lies that families tell each other for protection and comfort will love White Picket Fences. The novel is ideal for those who appreciate exploring questions like: what type of honesty do children need from their parents, or how can one move beyond a past that isn’t acknowledged or understood? Is there hope and forgiveness for the tragedies of our past and a way to abundant grace?

Ok, so let me just say that this wasn't my favorite book. It isn't that is wasn't good, but I just had issues with how the author finished up the book. She took her time to build the characters and the story line. She intertwined them in great ways. I'm not going to give away anything from the ending, but I will say that it felt like the ending was rushed. That being said, I did like the rest of the book. The main characters are Tally and Chase, who are cousins who are thrown together due to unusual circumstances. They come from completely different backgrounds, and are practically strangers. Tally comes to live with Chase and his family when her Father disappears in Europe. Chase is dealing with memories of a house fire from years ago and Tally helps him through when he feels like his family can't or won't. At the same time, his parents are drifting apart because of the refusal to deal with issues surrounding the fire. There are secrets all around in this family and they are all destructive. It isn't until they all start to let go of the secrets that they find what they are looking for. I do recommend this book, just don't be surprised at the rushed ending.

I have one copy available to give away. Please leave a comment if you want to enter to win. I will be using Random.org to pick a winner on Sunday.

If you would like to learn more about this book or to purchase the book, go HERE.

Thank you Waterbrook Press for both copies of White Picket Fences. If you are a blogger who loves to read, click HERE.

Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Veteran's Day to all who served our Country. THANK YOU!

And Happy Veterans Day to my Favorite Veteran of All
My Poppop

Random stuff

Hello and Happy Tuesday.

It is Tuesday, right? yeah, I think so. J went back to school today after a 5 1/2 day break. It was nice because Hubby was off too and we spent the weekend "camping" in the back yard.

I started writing out my Christmas list but it only took a second because it only has the names of my 3 boys on it. Money is tight and is about to get MUCH tighter. Hubby's work did some big cutbacks last month and they are about to do more. They are shutting down the entire week of Thanksgiving, cutting back to 3 days a week for the month of December AND December 18th will be the last day of work this year. WHAT?!? I am praying Hubby will be eligible for temporary unemployment benefits for the remainder of December.

That being said, I am thankful that Hubby still has a job. So many of the workers were laid off last month. I pray for all of them.

Amy and I are counting down the days until New Moon premiers. I'm not so sure we will be going the first weekend.....but we are going to TRY!

I put the boys to bed an hour early tonight. Don't judge. J woke up and started arguing with me right away. He argued over everything right up until the bus came and started as soon as he got off the bus this afternoon. Sounds like a tired 5 year old to me! Off to bed!!

I need to dye my roots. Soon. I HATE dyeing my hair. Sitting alone in the bathroom.....UGH. Stupid Roots!

Back on the subject of Christmas.....as long as J and R don't change their minds between now and when we see Santa then we should be OK. I added up what is on our little list and it came to $140....that is $70 a kid. Not too bad, right? I think we can manage that without needing to sell a kidney or anything.


One last thing I want to share.....

The Lord will protect you from all dangers, he will guard your life.
The Lord will guard you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 121:7-8

MOPS and Operation Christmas Child

My MOPS group is donating boxes to Operation Christmas Child. It is a program run by Samaritans Purse that sends Shoebox filled with goodies to kids around the world. We get to choose a boy or girl and a specific age range. That way you know what would be the best things to put in the box. I am taking my boys shopping on day this week to fill our box with toys, socks, toiletries, etc. I am hoping that it passes a message on to them that even when things are tight you still need to give to others.

Please visit the Operation Christmas Child site and consider donating to this great cause. There are many drop off locations or you can donate online.

Thanks!!

I think childbirth was easier....

Today we took the boys to Build-a-Bear to use their gift cards. YES! I know, I know...we shouldn't have made them wait this long to use gift cards that they got for Christmas last year, but we did. Get over it! LOL

Anyhow, this was our first time to BAB and I was just as excited as the boys were. J picked out a Camouflage Bear that he named "BestFriend" and R picked out a Puppy and named him "Scruffy". Next they stuffed the bears. Those poor, poor bears. Have you ever watched them stuff the bears? Seriously, that looks painful! I know that they aren't real but what if.....ugh. I immediately thought that pushing a child out seemed way less painful that if someone was shoving my body on that tube and forcing fluff into my extremities.
Does that make me a disturbed person? LOL
Here is a picture of their masterpieces!


After we left BAB we walked past Godiva Chocolate and I made Hubby detour through the store AND I asked for free samples. ASK and you shall recieve. Each of us got a Black Raspberry/White Chocolate Truffle. YUM!
I Heart you Godiva Worker!!!

As you can tell, we had a great time and then followed it up with NAPS. I wish everyday could be just like today!!

Ladybug, Ladybug....Fly away home

(this is NOT a picture from my house)


Our house is overrun with Ladybugs. Sure, they are cute but come on! One or two would be ok but we have HUNDREDS. And last night we slept in our camper in the back yard and it was full of Ladybugs too! Did you know that Ladybugs put off a stinky smell if you scare them (or smoosh them)? Maybe it is Ladybug pee? I don't know....but I AM tired of Ladybugs.



Go Home Ladybugs!!!




On another note.....Hubby took the boys to Walmart yesterday and came home with these kits to make Pumpkin faces. The are just like using parts from a Mr. Potato Head. Just pick your parts and push them in....and they are so Cute!!

Leaving Carolina -Book Review

Everyone has a past. I do. You do. And so does Piper Wick. Unfortunately all the work that Piper has done to forget her past is about to come undone. Piper grew up Piper Pickwick in the small southern town of Pickwick, North Carolina. Her family was both influential and unscrupulous. Little Piper, and her mother, were both hurt by the family over and over until they finally picked up and left town. Years later, when Piper is grown and has altered her identity to become Piper Wick, is when the story starts. She is living in LA and has become a high profile PR agent who handles all the sticky situations that famous people get themselves into. Piper is great at smoothing things over and saving the image of her clients. When she receives a call from her Great Uncle Obadiah's lawyer that her PR skills are needed back in Pickwick, she decides that it might be in her best interest to go home again. Her Great Uncle has grown tired of all the misdeeds that the family has done, and wants to make things right again......including making restitution to all the victims who suffered from the Pickwicks actions. The family, of course, wants Uncle Obadiah to hush up and pass the money down to them. Pipers plan is to fly in and fly out, sweeping the Pickwick problems under the family rug, especially since her uncle plans to make restitution for a stunt that she herself is guilty of doing. One of the best story lines is between Piper and Axel, her uncle's Godson and gardener. Axel has a very big influence on Uncle Obadiah's faith and why he plans to make things right with the town of Pickwick. During Piper's long visit home, Axel causes her to examine her own life a little deeper than she is used to doing. An uncomfortable situation leads to a friendship and attraction which stand in way of the original plan to get in and get out quickly.

Pipers visit home includes many lessons on forgiveness, honesty, and doing what is right. And don't forget a little romance thrown in for good measure.

I have to say that this has to be one of the best books I have read this year. Every chapter left me wanting more. I was THRILLED to see an extra chapter at the end of the book from an upcoming book about Piper's cousin. YAY! I can't wait to read more about the Pickwick Family.

If you would like to buy a copy of Leaving Carolina by Tamara Leigh click HERE.

This book was provided to me by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book. If you are a blogger interested in reviewing books, click HERE.