Children's scripture-pop group, The Rizers, are back!!!



CHILDREN'S SCRIPTURE-POP GROUP THE RIZERS RISE UP ON OCTOBER 11

WITH SECOND FULL-LENGTH RELEASE

It is Scripture-Pop music for kids!

SEATTLE, WA...September 28, 2011...Children's scripture-pop group, The Rizers, are back with their second full-length release, Rise Up, set to release on October 11. This project features ten brand new, upbeat scripture songs to teach kids God's Word while having fun rocking to the tunes (track listing below).

Last year families were introduced to the upbeat, kid-friendly animated group The Rizers, and since then they have made a huge wave with parents, kids and children's ministers. The Rizers present culturally relevant music instilling a love for Jesus Christ and His Word through scripture memory, praise and worship.

Their debut, “Meet The Rizers,” released on iTunes and AmazonMP3 in 2010 and peaked at No. 1 on AmazonMP3.com (Children’s Music), No. 6 (Christian & Gospel), as well as No. 4 on iTunes (Kids Music). The project was also included in the Dove-nomination ballot this year. Parents, children, media and bloggers have been raving about this fun-filled music praising God with coverage in the likes of ParentLife, Foursquare.org, The Resurgence as well as featured on many top kids ministry sites. Click here for songs from The Rizers as well as one new song from Rise Up.

 

MEET THE RIZERS:
Brought to families by Super Big Robot, LLC - a family media and entertainment company based in Seattle, WA. - The Rizers or “Memorizers” for short are a group of adorable characters each with a fun personality. There is Gracie (lead vocals), Matty C (guitar and vocals), Mei Mei (keytar), A-Yo (drums), and Johnny Danger (bass). They meet in Matty C’s garage to make their joyful noise in their town of Rizing Springs. Visit their home on the web at http://www.therizers.com/ to learn more about each band member, become their friend on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. You can also visit their store with Rizer t-shirts and physical CDs. For info on how to get The Rizers music at your retail/church store- please contact info@superbigrobot.com.

Rise Up Track Listing

1. Psalm 100:1-2 (Make A Joyful Noise!)

2. Proverbs 3:5-6 (Trust In The Lord!)

3. 2 Peter 3:18 (Glory Glory Glory!)

4. 2 Timothy 3:16 (All Scripture!)

5. Philippians 2:3-4 (Do Nothing Out Of Selfish Ambition!)

6. Philippians 4:13 (I Can Do Everything!)

7. Psalm 136:2-4 (His Love Endures Forever!)

8. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (A New Creation!)

9. John 14:27 (Do Not Be Afraid!)

10. Luke 18:16 (Let The Children Come To Me!)

The Rizers are on Facebook & Twitter go check them out!

 

* I only recommend products that my family would use! I received no compensation just information from MergePR.

 

 

 



Heiress by Susan May Warren Book Tour and Giveaway

Heiress, Chronicles of an American Empire Series #1

By: Susan May Warren
Number of Pages: 368
Vendor: Summerside Press
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 1609362187
ISBN-13: 9781609362188
By here for $9.97 (Amazon)

Win an opulent Gilded Age Prize Pack fit for an Heiress from Susan May Warren!
Susan May Warren is thrilled to announce the release of her latest historical book, Heiress!

Find out what the reviewers are saying here!


Heiress, a richly complex historical romance, is the first in Susan's three book Daughters of Fortune series. In honor of Heiress’ debut, Susan is hosting a FABULOUS Gilded Age Giveaway and giving away an opulent prize pack fit for an heiress!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $100 gift certificate to ModCloth.com
• A sleek silver iPod™ Shuffle
• A beautiful strand of Pearls
• Titanic DVD
• Speakeasy Compilation Music CD from Starbucks™
• Heiress by Susan MayClick one of the icons below to enter. But do so soon - this giveaway ends 10/5/11. The winner will be announced Thursday, October 6 on Susan’s blog.
  
  
  
  About the book: Heiress
  They can buy anything they want—fame, power, beauty, even loyalty.
  
  But they can’t buy love.
  
  The beautiful and wealthy heiress daughters of August Price can buy everything their hearts desire. But what if their desire is to be loved, without an enormous price tag attached? When one sister betrays another for the sake of love, will she find happiness? And what happens when the other sets out across the still untamed frontier to find it—will she discover she’s left it behind in the glamorous world of the New York gilded society? What price will each woman pay for being an heiress?
  
  Set in the opulent world of the Gilded Age, two women discover that being an heiress just might cost them everything they love.
  
  
  Read an excerpt here.
  About Susan: Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia , Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota ’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.
  Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder ofwww.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.
  Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota , where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)
  A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at:www.susanmaywarren.com.
  
  
  

  My thoughts:

  
  

  I am a big Susan May Warren fan. In fact she wrote one of my all-time favorite Christmas stories, The Great Christmas Bowl. I’ve read several of her contemporary fiction works and thoroughly enjoyed them. When I received Heiress and realized that it was a historical fiction story I wondered how she would do in this genre. Well, Ms. Warren you have just proven that you can write with the best of them!

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Esme and Jinx Price are two very privileged daughters of newspaper mogul August Price. Esme is expected to make a good marriage to propel the family upwards on the social ladder. The problem is that Esme doesn’t want that life. Jinx on the other hand wants what she can’t have, which is namely whatever her sister has.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  The story takes many twists and turns and leaves you wondering just how anything is ever going to work out. Years pass and things seem to go from bad to worse. But just when you think all is lost, Providence happens.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  This is a great story about love lost and love gained. The author’s note in the back of the book will provoke thought on what happiness is and to what lengths are you willing to go to obtain it. The questions for discussion would be great for your book club.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Last but not least…my favorite part of the book is that it is book one in the series. That means there are more to come! I cannot wait to find out what happens next in the lives of Esme and Jinx’s families.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  *I received a copy of this book for my participation in this book tour from Litfuse . This review is my own and may differ from others. No other compensation was received.

Rambles from the SAHM: We are having a.............??????????



Little M is excited to have a baby BROTHER!!

Now I keep thinking of what I will need with two boys. Double stroller, big brother, little brother shirts, a carrier, and a wagon! What are your must haves for being a mother of two? Do you prefer a double stroller that is side by side or one in front of the other? Let RambleSAHM know!









Christmas book review: A Marriage Carol by Chris Fabry & Gary Chapman

A Marriage Carol

Buy it here for 9.99 (CBD Price)

Chris Fabry & Gary Chapman

ISBN: 080240264X
ISBN-13: 9780802402646
Number of Pages: 144
Vendor: Moody Publishers
Publication Date: 2011
Christmas Fiction
5 out of 5

Description of the book…

On Christmas Eve twenty years earlier, Marlee and Jacob were married in a snowstorm. This Christmas Eve, they are ready to quit, divorce is imminent. Their relationship is as icy as the road they’re traveling and as blocked with troubles as the piling snow. They take a shortcut to get to the lawyer’s office, on a slippery, no-fault path. She thinks they need to stay on the main road. He disagrees. They fight. Story of their lives and they slam into a bank of snow, spinning, drifting, falling, out of control. Just like their lives. Reluctantly, freezing cold, hungry, scared, she trudges up the hill. Paul is nowhere to be found. Her ears frozen, fingers and hands red, she comes to a house on the hillside, built like a Bed and Breakfast, a green wreath on the red door and the door-knocker is in the shape of a wedding ring.

The red door opens and the first thing she notices is the fire in the room, blazing hot, a warm, inviting, friendly place and the voice of an old man welcomes her in. There are three golden pots on the hearth, shining, glimmering things. The old man claims that they are used to restore marriages. She laughs—and begins a journey through her past, present, and future that will test how she views her lifelong love. There are two futures available. Which will she choose?

My thoughts…

Ahhh…my first Christmas read of the season. I always look forward to this time of year when all the new Christmas books come out and this one was a wonderful way to start the season.

The storyline is derived from the great Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol so you already know the structure of the story. It is the eternal story of what could have been, what is and what may come all wrapped up in the lyrical storytelling voice of Chris Fabry.

I very much enjoyed this retelling of a favorite Christmas story. It is a wonderful reminder of how important our marriage commitments are, not only to each other, but to those closest to us. In this aspect Gary Chapman’s voice shines thru.

This little novella would make a wonderful stocking stuffer for your favorite bibliophile along with some Christmas cookies. Ahhh books, Christmas, and cookies now that my kind of day!

*I received an E-pub from NetGalley for my honest review. I was not compensated in any way and my thoughts may differ from others.

Book review: Pattern of Wounds by J. Mark Bertrand Roland March Mystery Series #2

Pattern of Wounds

J. Mark Bertrand

Roland March Mystery, Book 2

Suspense

ISBN: 0764206389
ISBN-13: 9780764206382

4 out of 5

Back of the book…

It’s Christmas in Houston, and homicide detective Roland March is on the hunt for a killer. A young woman’s brutal stabbing in an affluent neighborhood bears all the hallmarks of a serial murder. The only problem is that March sent the murderer to prison ten years ago. Is it a copycat—or did March convict the wrong man?

Alienated from his colleagues, and with a growing rift in his marriage, March receives a series of taunting messages from the killer. The bodies pile up, the pressure builds, and the violence reaches too close to home. Up against an unfathomable evil, March struggles against the clock to understand the hidden message in the pattern of wounds.

My thoughts…

In all fairness I have to say that I have not read the first book in this series. I’m sure that there are some elements of the story that you would understand better if you read the first book first. Having said that, I enjoyed the book and didn’t feel like I didn’t know what was going on.

This book is what I would call edgy. If explicit details offend you, then move along to your next book. But, if you are looking for something that feels real and tells it like it is, then this is your book. The details in the book make the story breathtaking. I found myself going to bed and then having to get back up to read just one more chapter.

One of the ways that I judge if a book is worthy of a recommendation is if there are passages in it that I feel compelled to read aloud to someone. Pattern of Wounds had some of those passages. I say get the book, but be prepared to spend some time being drawn into the crazy world of a homicide detective.

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House for my honest opinions. No other compensation was received.

Book review: Over the Edge by Brandilyn Collins

 
Over the Edge

Brandilyn Collins

ISBN:

9781433671623

Suspense

5 out of 5

Back of the book…

Torn from the front lines of medical debate and the author's own experience with Lyme Disease, Over the Edge is riveting fiction, full of twists and turns-and powerful truths about today's medical field.

Janessa McNeil's husband, Dr. Brock McNeil, a researcher and professor at Stanford University's Department of Medicine, specializes in tick-borne diseases-especially Lyme. For years he has insisted that Chronic Lyme Disease doesn't exist. Even as patients across the country are getting sicker, the committee Brock chairs is about to announce its latest findings-which will further seal the door shut for Lyme treatment.

One embittered man sets out to prove Dr. McNeil wrong by giving him a close-up view of the very disease he denies. The man infects Janessa with Lyme, then states his demand: convince her husband to publicly reverse his stand on Lyme-or their young daughter will be next.

But Janessa's marriage is already rocky. She's so sick she can hardly move or think. And her husband denies she has Lyme at all.

Welcome to the Lyme wars, Janessa.

My thoughts…

The prologue of this book literally made my skin crawl. I found myself scratching my head throughout the reading. Tics in the hairline, your worst nightmare. Brandilyn Collins has an amazing ability to take something like Lime Disease and use it to scare you silly while at the same time educating you on the subject matter.

Without giving anything away…I thought I knew the answer to whodunit, and then there was a sudden crazy twist that made me completely change my mind. In the end I was right with my first assumption, but I literally did not know that for sure until the very end. That’s my kind of suspense!

On a serious note, the author’s note that follows the story is just as scary as the fictional story. This really is a disease that gets swept under the carpet. We need to whisk that carpet away and take a good look at what this is doing to our people. Ms. Collins includes some great resources for each of us to explore and educate ourselves on the subject matter.

 

* I received a copy of this book from netGalley for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own and may differ from others.

Book review: River's Song by Melody Carlson

River’s Song

Melody Carlson

The Inn at Shining Waters, Book 1
ISBN-13: 9781426712661
Abingdon Press

Christian Fiction

4 out of 5

Back of the book…

Following her mother’s funeral, and on the verge of her own midlife crisis, widow Anna Larson returns to the home of her youth to sort out her parents’ belongings, as well as her own turbulent life. For the first time since childhood, Anna embraces her native heritage, despite the disdain of her vicious mother-in-law. By transforming her old family home on the banks of Oregon’s Siuslaw River into The Inn at Shining Waters, Anna hopes to create a place of healing—a place where guests experience peace, grace, and new beginnings. Starting with her own family…

My thoughts…

Melody Carlson has once again written a gripping tale that draws you in. In this first installment we are brought to a peaceful river settlement on the Siuslaw River in Oregon. The time frame is 1959. Anna has just lost her mother which means that she inherits her family home. For the past several years Anna has lived with her daughter and mother-in-law in her mother-in-law’s home. She has slowly been beaten down into a shell of herself. With the unfolding story we get to witness Anna regain her self-worth.

I enjoyed reading about this strong woman reemerging into who she used to be. The mother-in-law is definitely everyone’s worst nightmare. Daughter Lauren is beyond spoiled, but comes around in the end. Babette makes up for everything lacking in those two. Who wouldn’t love to have a friend like her? The only thing that I really didn’t like was the pace of the romance between Anna and Clark. It just seemed to move along too quickly for my taste. 

The tease in the back of the book for the second installment makes me excited to read the continuation of this wonderful story.  The discussion questions make this a great pick for any reading group. Book two will be out 1/29/2012!!!

River's Call, Inn at Shining Waters Series #2

By: Melody Carlson

Abingdon Press / 2012

* I received a copy of this book from Glass Road Public Relations for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received.

Winner for the book: Smack-Dab in the Middle of God's Love by Brennan Manning and John Blase

Random.org has picked comment #6 as the winner! I am sending an email to

 

Robin who said...

looks like a great book - thanks for the chance to win it!

Book Review & Giveaway: Smack-Dab in the Middle of God's Love by Brennan Manning and John Blase

My son and I were asked to review this book and give one away!

It is an adorable book for kids. My son loved all the colorful pictures and the story was good at explaining God's endless love for all of us. It is an easy story for young children to follow along to. I love how this book would fit both boys and girls. The illustrations depict multi-cultural relationships. This book would make a great Christmas gift for a child that is hard to buy for.



If you would like to win a copy of this book leave a note in the comment section with your email address!

·         I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson  for my honest review. The giveaway is hosted by Thomas Nelson! This giveaway will end on September 17, 2011 at 11.59 CST.

Blog Tour: Fairer than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott

Win a custom made period dress ... and a KINDLE from Rosslyn Elliott!
Enter 9/1-9/20!

To celebrate the release of her debut novel, Fairer Than Morning, Rosslyn Elliott is giving away two fabulous prize packages. The first is brand new KINDLE in her Fairer Than Morning Kindle Giveaway. Then on September 20th she's giving away a $200 gift certificate toward a Custom-Made Historical Reproduction Dress (from Recollections) during the Fairer Than Morning Book Club Chat Party on Facebook! Sigh...romantic.

Fairer Than Morning is receiving wonderful reviews - Library Journal said, "A well-written historical series debut…". Read more reviews here.

Be sure to join the fun and enter the Kindle contest - 

One winner will receive:

* Kindle with Wi-Fi

* Fairer Than Morning (for Kindle)

To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, giveaway ends on 9/19. Winner will be announced on 9/20 at Rosslyn's Book Club Facebook Party. Details and official rules can be found when entering the contest.

Then be sure to RSVP for Rosslyn's Facebook Party! During the party Rosslyn will be chatting with guests, hosting a book chat about Fairer Than Morning (don't worry if you haven't read the book yet - you could win a copy!) & historical Fiction, testing your trivia skills. She'll also be giving away that $200 gift certificate toward a FABULOUS custom-made period dress from Recollections!

My thoughts:

This is a wonderful new series. Rosslyn Elliott’s writing style is fast paced and descriptive. The subject matter is heart wrenching. It is told in a graphic enough way to put you right in the scene but still not be vulgar. I absolutely fell in love with these characters and I can’t wait to read the second installment.

 

If your book group is looking for a historical fiction selection this would be great. It takes place at a very rough time in our history. The subjects of indentured servant, poor houses, and slavery are destined to lead to lively discussions. As a bonus there are discussion questions and a section of History or Fiction that was very interesting to read.

 

·         I received a copy of this book for my participation in this book tour. All thoughts are my own and may differ from others.

Blog Tour: Playing Hurt by Brian Goins

About the Giveaway!

To enter all you have to do is send a tweet (using @litfuse) about Playing Hurt or share about it on Facebook!

If you tweet we'll capture your entry when you use @litfuse. If you share it on Facebook or your blog, just email us and let us know (info@litfusegroup.com). Easy. (All Litfuse bloggers who post a review are automatically entered and do NOT need to email us.)

Not sure what to tweet/post? Here's an idea.

TWEET THIS: Playing Hurt by Brian Goins-coaches men to win the 1 game that truly matters–marriage! http://ow.ly/6arVa RT 4 a chance at $50! @litfuse

FACEBOOK THIS: Everyone admires people who play hurt, from the superstar athlete to the journeyman player who finishes the game even when hurt, sick, or falling apart. Everyone looks up to these athletes and wants to mimic their "never give up" attitude. Except when it comes to marriage. Learn more: Playing Hurt by Brian Goins http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13375058

About Playing Hurt:

A marriage book that husbands will actually want to read!

Everyone admires people who play hurt, from the superstar athlete to the journeyman player who finishes the game even when hurt, sick, or falling apart. Everyone looks up to these athletes and wants to mimic their “never give up”attitude. Except when it comes to marriage. Most husbands are willing to take a bullet for their wives in a life-and-death situation; but when his bride fires the bullet--hurls an insult, disrespects him in public, ignores his foreplay in private--he’d rather throw in the towel than play through the pain.

Playing Hurt is a biblical playbook for marriage that speaks in the language most men understand—the language of sports. Using a sports analogy to explain the motivation, means, and methods of playing hurt, author Brian Goins shows men how to overcome the temptation to stay on the bench. Playing Hurt is more about inspiration than instruction. It’s about finding the motivation to stay in the game, despite the pain. It’s about becoming like the One who knew more about nails and thorns than any superstar athlete. Using Ephesians 5 as a biblical basis, this book will call husbands to be the heroes they long to be--men who play hurt in order to win at marriage.

About the Brian Goins:

Brian Goins is the author or editor of numerous study guides, workbooks, and Bible studies that he has developed for Insight for Living (Chuck Swindoll) and Walk Through the Bible. When he’s not traveling across the country as a Family Life Weekend to Remember speaker, he and his family reside in North Carolina .

My Husabnds thoughts:

This book was reviewed by my husband. He normally does not care for marriage books but loved this one. He liked how it was written by a man for men. The author uses the idea of        “Playing Hurt” and how it can benefit your marriage. This would be a great gift for married men because like my husband said it is a book men will want to read. At the end of each chapter is the “Hot Seat” which asks questions about the chapter again this would be great for a men group to study.

One of the best concepts in the book is new posters for your wall. It is the idea that as children we put up posters of who we want to be. As an adult the author talks about who those posters should look like. Great concept and men will love it. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

·         I received a copy of this book for my husband’s honest opinions. No other compensation was received

Blog Tour Schedule:  Blog Tour