Monday, January 28, 2008

Bloggy Giveaway

Shannon, over at Rocks in my Dryer is hosting the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival. Be sure to visit Shannon for the list of participating blogs who are giving something away! Happy Winnings!

I am giving away the pictured bibbed apron with applique hearts on the pocket.

This is one of the project/crafts I do with the women's groups that I work with here in Costa Rica. Most of the women live in the precarios (slums) in extreme poverty and are often victims of domestic violence. I teach them crafts which they can make and sale, thereby improving their living conditions. If you would like the opportunity to win the apron, please leave a comment. I will draw a winner on Sunday evening, Feb. 3rd. The winner can be from anywhere in the world. Thanks for participating.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

"Chill Out, Josey" Blog Tour

Russia? Not again. Josey's finally living the good life - she's got the man, the (almost-perfect) wedding, the two-story Cape-Cod house of her dreams. That is until her man drags her back to Moscow! Josey knows she has the guts to follow her own dreams across the world, but she's not so sure she can play the perfect wife while her husband chases after his. Josey's
set on having the perfect life…even in a world without hot water, decent take-out and size-two leather fashion. But can she find the courage to tell her man the secret that will change their lives forever?


Susan’s Bio: I can't help be amazed at the gifts God has delighted me with - a wonderful
husband, four amazing children, and the opportunity to write for Him. I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life. Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience startedwhen I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed
our ministry highlights.
Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology.
I grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband,
honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first
series, The Deep Haven series. Based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I
have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.
Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful
town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and
allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.

Here are some links:
Buy the book: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1028342&item_no=785852
Read the first Chapter: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/c1_chillOutJosey.html
Susan’s website: www.susanmaywarren.com
Susan’s blog: http://susanmaywarren.typepad.com/scribbles/
Susan’s other books: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/novels.html

Okay…information about the contest! The contest is open to all you bloggers and your readers! Details: Submit your funniest/craziest/most embarrassing PREGNANCY STORY and be entered to win a Super Fabulous, Ultra Deluxe Chill Out, Mom SPA BASKET! Here is the link to the Contest page on Susan’s website:http://www.susanmaywarren.com/contest.html (**note, this contest is exclusively for her blog tour, chances are there will be another contest going on for her general audience…feel free to enter both contests. By submitting your story, Susan will know which contest you are entering!)

My Review
I laughed and cried my way through this book. It was wonderful. Being a missionary wife and mother on the field for over 20 years made this book a special treat for me. I had two of our children in Honduras and it was different. With the first one I wandered from doctor to doctor until I found someone who would take the time to understand my poor Spanish and did not treat me like livestock. It was quite an experience which is why I can truly relate to Josey. This was a fun, heart-filling read. I have already shared my copy with several of my missionary wife friends here in Costa Rica and they have greatly enjoyed it also. We are all looking forward to more stories from Susan about Josey and her adventures.