Games – aTransParentMom

Face-Off with Jocelyn Green!!

Published on January 19, 2017January 18, 2017 by aTransParentMom12 Comments

And….WE’RE BACK!!!!! Woot Woot! I am so excited to announce that face-offs are back up and running with all kinds of fun in store! I’m especially “psyched out of my mind” about this fabulous author agreeing to be the first after a long break. (If you are wondering where I have been, just check out this post.)

This lovely lady is finally back with a new series. I loved her last series that featured different women dealing with the atrocities of the Civil War.

She has since moved onto writing about the 1720’s Louisiana. I absolutely can’t WAIT to read and review this book. Coming soon!

You can also learn a bit more about Jocelyn as she is my Author Highlight of the Month. Just check out the HOME page to see her thoughts on writing the Heroines Behind the Lines series. Or, go HERE to find out her favorite Bible verse, some fun traditions and much more.

Let’s get on with it, shall we?

The rules are simple. I ask Jocelyn some random questions. She replies and then I give my answers. Each winning answer is worth one point and I get to decide whose answer is better.

It’s my blog.

Here we go!

1. Worst storm/natural disaster that you have lived through?

Jocelyn – I have spent most of my life in the Midwest, so our signature natural disaster is the mighty tornado. The closest call came when I was pregnant with my second child. An E5 tornado almost completely wiped out the small town of Parkersburg, IA, which is 20 miles west of us. When the sirens came on, of course, we didn’t know where the tornado would touch down. I headed to the basement immediately but was totally freaked out because my husband was out with our 2-year-old daughter on a shopping trip. He told me later that he was speeding home on the highway, and could see the tornado in his rearview mirror!

Our town has also survived some major flooding. We live seven blocks from the river but we’re uphill, so our house hasn’t personally suffered damage, but other places in town had water up to their roof lines. Our family has been fortunate!

Charity – Woh! That had to be the most terrifying thing EVER! Seeing an E5 tornado in your rearview mirror? What in the world. There’s no way I can top that. I live on the east coast, so we get hurricanes. I live in Virginia though…so, they usually aren’t too bad.

— Definitely Jocelyn!

Charity 0 / Jocelyn 1

2. What TV show is your guilty pleasure?

Jocelyn – Fixer Upper. I only feel guilty about watching it when I’m on a tight deadline and should be writing. (But we all need breaks, right?)

Charity – I have to be honest. I have never seen it! They look adorable though and I love a good fixer upper! haha.

Mine is Survivor. Man, oh man! I love that show. It never gets old. Just gets better and better. Cook Islands was probably the most intense season though.

— I suppose it has to be a tie…Nope. “The Tribe Has Spoken”. I am taking it.

Charity 1 / Jocelyn 1

3. Favorite Bible verse?

Jocelyn – Ephesians 2:10!

Charity – Oh, that’s a good one. I don’t even begin to know how to answer this question. There are so many that just …. blow my mind! Here are a few:

I could continue forever, but I shall stop there! ha ha 🙂

— God wins! ❤

Charity 1 / Jocelyn 1

4. Who would you really like to sit down with and talk to from past history?

Jocelyn – Hannah More, English poet and writer who was born in 1745. She was one of William Wilberforce’s compatriots in the campaign to abolish the British slave trade, and she had such influence through her writing in many other ways. I so admire her.

Charity – Oh my goodness, yes! I am not sure if you read Fierce Convictions by Karen Swallow Prior, but it’s absolutely incredible. It’s a biography of Hannah More’s life. I did a review on it and Karen has faced-off with me a couple of times! She’s fabulous!!!

**PS – It’s on .99 cents on kindle right now!!! (link in pic)

As far as my “sit down”. George Washington is my crush. I have always admired him. Such a hero. If you have not seen this mini-series, you are 100% missing out!

Do yourself a favor and pick this up! It’s only $12 for the whole thing!!!! (link in pic)

— Both were fabulous choices! It’s definitely a tie.

Charity 1 / Jocelyn 1

5. Favorite Date w/ Hubby

Jocelyn – Tickets to the National Cathedral when we were living in Washington, D.C., to see the Dublin Men & Boys Choir perform Handel’s Messiah.

Charity – Oh, wow! That must have been incredible. I bet it gave you chills.

I couldn’t even say what mine is. We are total homebodies and creatures of habit. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our dates because we ~~almost~~ ALWAYS go out to eat at Chili’s and then see a movie in those fabulous recliner chairs. ha! It’s like, the perfect date. Why try to improve on perfection?

— Ok, at least you dressed up and went out…I take a blanket and recline on my dates…

Charity 1 / Jocelyn 2

6. If you had to be on a reality show, which one would you do?

Jocelyn – Worst Cooks of America! Not because I’m actually one of the worst, but I would love the opportunity to learn from Bobby Flay!

Charity – Hmm. So, is there one where I could recline and watch tv…?

The Amazing Race would be fun. I would either be really relaxed and laughing a lot, OR Big, Angry, Momma Bear. Not sure which would come out under the pressure. Let’s not find out.

— Unfortunately, your answer was much better. I want to watch tv for everything, it would seem.

Charity 2 / Jocelyn 3

7. Favorite pizza toppings?

Jocelyn – Sausage and pepperoni.

Charity – Ew. ha! I would definitely say veggies. I love a veggie pizza. YUM!

— I got that one because your choice doesn’t sound yummy to me!

Charity 2 / Jocelyn 3

8. Craziest thing God has asked you to do? (or one of)

Jocelyn – Marry a military officer. I’d told myself I would NEVER marry into the military, but I knew two weeks after meeting Rob that I would marry him.

Charity – Oh my gosh. Never tell God “never”. I have learned that’s the fastest route to getting it…I don’t even know because I think that God has continually asked me to do things that are SO out of my comfort zone. It’s truly not funny. Could it be to buy a 732 sq ft home? How about to try to adopt? How about homeschooling? How about throw away my favorite TV show just to see if I was willing? I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

Good thing He knows what makes me the happiest! I sure would be heading in the opposite direction because it doesn’t seem like those things would work. HA! I couldn’t be happier in my life though. Truly. He truly does know what makes us happy if we are willing to listen. SMH

— God is amazing. He wins ALWAYS

Charity 2 / Jocelyn 3

9. What are some of your favorite hobbies? (Besides writing)

Jocelyn – Baking, gardening, knitting (but only scarves!)… I would say scrapbooking but it feels dishonest because I haven’t actually scrapped anything in about seven years. Oops.

Charity – Ha! That’s awesome. Me either. It makes me crazy to try. So….hobbies…Um, does watching BBC count? How about reading historical novels? I also like to do my nails? Does that count…

— Oh my word. I am really lame!

Charity 2 / Jocelyn 4

10. Craziest haircut story?

Jocelyn – I once decided I needed a haircut RIGHT THIS SECOND and so I went into a walk-in place. The young woman who cut my hair was on her “trial” period, so she was really really nervous. And slow. And after everything she did, she had to ask her supervisor for advice. Whenever she asked me a question, she would roll her eyes and groan at my answer. I remember I needed to get a “correction cut” at my usual place pretty soon after that, so my plan to save time totally backfired. But what I remember most was that she seemed so put-out by the whole process. LOL I don’t think she kept her job.

Charity – Oh, boy. That’s awful. So rude!!!

I am so going to win this one. I have so many to pick from…Ok, here’s the best. Growing up, I had long, BEAUTIFUL, blonde hair. I had met this person online and we talked every day for 3-4 years. He was my best friend (never anything romantic). Anyway, he lived in Israel and was coming to the States and we were going to meet IRL (ha ha ha). Anyway, I had just had my first son and was still a bit on the chunky side. I went and got my hair cut so that would at least look nice. Holy Momma. I hear an, “Uh oh!” and see a huge chunk of hair fall. I had asked for a trim. She. Gave. Me. A. Butch. Cut. Literally cut my hair to the scalp on most parts. It was absolutely horrendous. I looked HORRIFIC and there wasn’t a darn thing a could do about it. She had accidentally cut off a chunk, so she figured she would just style it differently…

Most embarrassing meeting in my life. EVER.

His friend that came along actually said, “This isn’t the girl in the picture!”

— Taking it!

Final:

Charity 3 / Jocelyn 4

Thanks so much, Jocelyn, for taking the time to face-off even during deadlines! You are absolutely fabulous and I adore you!!!! ❤

Show her some love and comment your favorite Jocelyn Green books or what you would love to read by her!!!

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill

Published on January 9, 2017February 7, 2017 by aTransParentMom19 Comments

by Julie Klassen

The much awaited, new series by Julie Klassen is finally here! Well, it was here before Christmas, but I have been a bit behind…

If you have read much Klassen, you will want to know that this book is significantly different than her others. All of her books have basically stood alone while this one is absolutely part of a series. The book didn’t really end at the end of the book. That being said, it was a great read. Her writing style has really deepened and grown since her debut novel, The Lady of Milkweed Manor.

Overall, I felt it was very well written. There were a lot of people to keep up with instead of the average handful you have in a novel. The point of view would switch from character to character rapidly and I would find myself confused at times trying to remember which person it was. I believe that it was just preparing the reader for the following volumes to come. So, if you don’t have severe brain trauma as I seem to have, you should be just fine! I definitely recommend this book (and anything by Julie!). She is a truly gifted writer!!!

Thanks so much for this read! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!

— Check out my fun face-offs with the awesome Julie Klassen!

Who thinks we should do a giveaway???????

Head on over and enter to win. Good luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*US only (unless you would like to pay the shipping)

**Entries will be checked

Face-Off with Colleen Coble!!

Published on April 22, 2015April 22, 2015 by aTransParentMom8 Comments

Yep! You read that RIGHT! Colleen Coble!!!!!! Multi award winning author of 1 or 2 million books 😉

I’m sure you’ve seen and read quit a few!! Well, today, you are going to get to find out some fun facts about this wonderful author!!!

The Mercy Falls Collection is only $12.99 for ALL THREE BOOKS!!

The Lonestar Collection is only $14.99 for ALL FIVE BOOKS!!

Now that we have established that…WE PLAY!!!

The rules are simple: I ask Colleen some random questions. She replies and then I give my answers. Each winning answer is worth one point and I get to decide whose answer is better.

It’s my blog.

Here we go!

1. Favorite State to live in? Why?

Colleen – I’m a born and bred Hoosier, and I can’t imagine ever living permanently anywhere else! Hoosiers are friendly, super friendly. We speak in the grocery store, and we are quick to help a neighbor. You can’t beat that. And I like having four seasons, but winter lasts way too long! The only bad thing is that we got Daylight Savings Time rammed down our throats, and I still hate it. Don’t get me started!

But you might twist my arm to live a few months a year on Kauai. Dolphins, sea turtles, snorkeling, what’s not to love?

Charity – haha! Oh my goodness. We’ve always had it here in Virginia! I didn’t know it was knew to you!!! My hubby is actually from Indiana too! I love living here though. I am right in between Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown and Virginia Beach. The Blue Ridge Mountains are only a couple hours away!! Such a beautiful place to live!!

I hear ya, girl!! I have never been to Kauai, but I would go in A MINUTE!

— tie! We both have good reasons!!

Charity 0 / Colleen 0

2. Which period of history interests you the most?

Colleen – I love the early 19th century. It was a time of such great innovation and change. Exciting times! But I like my modern conveniences, especially my WiFi!

Charity – Whew! That is NO JOKE!! One word: Chamberpots!!!

I love two periods equally: Regency and Revolutionary War time frame. Both are so interesting to me!!!

— Tie again!! #Getting nowhere!

Charity 0 / Colleen 0

3. Have you ever gone on a “cross country” trip to visit sites in America?

Colleen – I’ve been in every state of the Union. Love visiting our glorious country! We made a point of taking the kids on long trips, kind of like Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Vacation.

Charity – Oh my goodness! So incredible!!!!!! I sooo wish I could do that!!!

— DEFINITELY Colleen!

Charity 0 / Colleen 1

4. When you go to Cracker Barrel in the evening, do you still order breakfast?

Colleen – Well, I don’t know that I’ve ever been to Cracker Barrel except for breakfast!

Charity – Oh man! You are missing out!! Who doesn’t love a good breakfast for dinner!?

— I get that one!!

Charity 1 / Colleen 1

5. Weirdest thing a fan has done?

Colleen – Weird? I have awesome fans who come up with great names for characters and coffee shops. LOL

Charity – ❤ that’s awesome! Surprising!! People can be strange….

— I have no fans! ha ha

Charity 1 / Colleen 2

6. Would you go back to being a teenager if you had that option?

Colleen – Are you kidding me? What person in their right mind would want to relive that treacherous, hormonal time?

Charity – Not. Me.

I absolutely LOVE growing older. I would never want to start over. Mercy me!!!! Sounds like a nightmare!

— Tie. We are agreed!

Charity 1 / Colleen 2

7. Are you a camper or Marriott kind of girl?

Colleen – Marriott all the way. My idea of camping out is staying in a Holiday Inn instead of a Hyatt!

Charity – LOL! I knew I loved you. Right there with ya!!!!! ha ha ha.

– #HighMaintenance #StickTogether

Charity 1 / Colleen 2

8. How do you strive to bring God the most glory in your life?

Colleen – I try to use every day He gives me to grasp the most joy from today. I learned so much about how to do that from my sister-of-the-heart, Diann Hunt, who lost her battle with ovarian cancer in Nov 2013. We only have today, and I try to give my best to every day.

Charity – Love it. Just being in love with God and serving Him day in and day out ❤

— God wins!!!!

Charity 1 / Colleen 2

9. Did you ever make “green eggs and ham” for fun?

Colleen – I made them for my son when he was little once. He wouldn’t eat them. LOL

Charity – Nice! At least you tried… I wasn’t that nice! ha ha

— Nice moms win!

Charity 1 / Colleen 3

10. Weirdest ornament you own?

Colleen – I don’t have any weird ornaments, but I do have some precious ones made by my kids when they were small. One is a tiny chalkboard with A B C on it. does that count? LOL

Charity – Of course it counts! Someone bought my hubby an ornament that says, “World’s Best Coach”. It’s so gaudy and big. Horrible. My husband has never coached a thing! He doesn’t even watch sports!! ha ha. He won’t get rid of it though. He loves it. So horrible. I try to hide it in the back of the tree…

— Totally taking that one!

Final:

Charity 2 / Colleen 3

again.

Thanks so much, Colleen!! I had such a blast chatting with you 🙂

Guess what!!!! The balloons say it all! COLLEEN IS GIVING AWAY A COPY OF HER NEW RELEASE!!! So exciting! I’m reading it RIGHT NOW and will be posting my review later today!

All you need to do is head on over to:

The Inn at Ocean’s Edge and start entering!!

*U.S. Rez only! (We do love the rest of you!)

** All entries are checked. Any falsified entries will be disqualified.

GOOD LUCK!!

Face-Off with Kristy Cambron!!

Published on April 21, 2015April 21, 2015 by aTransParentMom4 Comments

I am super excited to introduce you all to Kristy Cambron today!! Most of you have probably heard of Kristy, or even read her books, but you’ll get to find out a whole lot more! I will be reviewing A Sparrow in Terezin later today, so start holding your breath!!

This awesome new author has beautiful books that are FLYING off the shelves!!

Awesome? YES! But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves!! We will discuss her books later…Right now, we play!

The rules are simple: I ask Kristy some random questions. She replies and then I give my answers. Each winning answer is worth one point and I get to decide whose answer is better.

It’s my blog.

Here we go!

1. What’s the most annoying Christian phrase you can think of? (ie: Hedge of Protection)

Kristy – It’s not the phrases that annoy me — it’s when I don’t understand them and have to Google something in the middle of church. Try whipping out your phone in the great auditorium. I know people think I’m checking sports scores or shopping for shoes, but I’m really just trying to keep up sometimes! 🙂

Charity – I noticed one very important word in that sentence. “Sometimes”. Well played.

I can’t handle the weird Christian phrases. blech. “I’m so blessed” makes me feel nauseated!! I don’t know. It just sounds so odd. We aren’t people with a foreign language…we just love Jesus…

— Kristy is much nicer than I am.

Charity 0 / Kristy 1

2. Have you ever wanted a shirt that says, “I tithe online” when they are passing the basket at church?

Kristy – Nah. I much prefer tees with literary quotes vs. sarcasm. I’d wear my Wuthering Heights tee every day if people wouldn’t tease me about it.

Charity – Hmm. Well, I supposed it’s not so much sarcasm as the fact that we actually do tithe online!! So, I always feel awkward and judged when we pass the basket. Self conscience much?!

— Kristy’s keeping it classy!

Charity 0 / Kristy 2

3. Taylor Swift fan? Why or why not?

Kristy – YES. Here’s your answer for that one:

Charity – Oh, nice! Now, how the heck can I compete with that???

— Getting a good ol’ southern butt whoopin’!!!

Charity 0 / Kristy 3

4. Best pick up line?

Kristy – “Hey — I hear it’s a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. Care to find out if it’s true?” (Sorry – I don’t know much about pick-up lines. I met my husband when I was 17. He took me to my first NFL game and I was gone in love after that. No pick-up lines required. But I’d think a guy quoting Jane Austen would be a Chick magnet)

Charity – Ha! I don’t know about that….Sounds like a weenie to me!!! haha. I would probably be scared if he was quoting Jane! 😮

My son, when he was about 11, thought one of my friends was really pretty. So, he was all primed and ready. She showed up at the house one day and my son walked past her and dropped a sugar packet. He picked it up and handed it to her saying, “Hey! I think you dropped your name tag!”

— I win for having a cute child! ha!! 🙂

Charity 1 / Kristy 3

5. Do you have a panic attack when you accidentally leave your cell phone home?

Kristy – YES – I’ve turned around more than once when I was already in rush-hour traffic to go back and get it. I must have my phone so I can write chapters wherever I am. (Not while driving though. Let’s stay safe, people!) I write the first drafts of my books on my iPhone, so I can’t risk leaving it at home.

Charity – Well, I am right there with you. What the heck did we do when we were teenagers??? I didn’t even have a cell phone until I was out of college AND I WAS STILL one of the few that had one. It was GINORMOUS!

I am confused, however, how in the world you can stand typing the entire draft of a novel on your iPhone. I want to throw it against the wall when I have to type on it with my sausage fingers.

— Tie. iPhones are a must have at ALL times!

Charity 1 / Kristy 3

6. Have you ever raced a golf cart?

Kristy – YEP. My grandparents literally lived on Country Club Lane. They were addicted to the game and bought their Snow Bird condos according to where the best golf courses were. I learned to drive a golf cart almost before I could walk. (I think I won that question…)

Charity – shut up.

— You sure are BLESSED!

Charity 1 / Kristy 4

7. What’s the weirdest food that you like?

Kristy – My grandmother was German and made amazing, authentic German food. I apologize in advance for the little old ladies I’d knock out of the way at the Disney Epcot Biergarten German Buffet. Can’t be helped… I ❤ pork schnitzel, spätzle, sauerkraut, warm German potato salad and Bavarian cheesecake! (German food is my love language.)

Charity – 😮

— Uh, you can have it…

Charity 1 / Kristy 5

8. How do you strive to bring God the most glory in your life?

Kristy – I don’t know how to answer this one. All I can say is that I love Jesus. I want to know Him so much more. I want to serve Him. To tell others about Him. To dig into Scripture. (I started verse mapping at the beginning of Lent and it’s changed my life! I’m working through Acts right now and what I’m earning is just incredible.) I just keep thinking that He’s changed everything about my life in the last two years and I am so grateful that He’s using our family’s grief and loss for His good. If I can tell someone about that journey — and the Savior who has conquered death for them too — that’s a place of grace I want to be in every single day.

Charity – absolutely beautiful. That’s how I feel too. He wooed my heart and I’m IN LOVE!!! ❤

— God ALWAYS wins!

Charity 1 / Kristy 5

9. Have you ever been to Great Wolf Lodge?

Kristy – No. But I grew up around Cincy and went to King’s Island every summer. I even remember the awesomeness that was the Smurfs ride in the 1980’s. You can’t top that ride. 🙂

Charity – Hmm. I haven’t ever been there. I live near Busch Gardens, so I grew up going there. HOWEVER, Great Wolf Lodge is stinkin’ amazing! It’s like a cruise ship that you don’t get sea sick on! It’s its own little island…has Starbucks, Dominos, Buffets, etc… You never have to leave. Go to the waterpark and walk back to your room for a nap. Glorious.

— I believe the questions was “have you ever been to GWL” so… I WIN!

Charity 2 / Kristy 5

10. Does cheese give you the devil’s breath?

Kristy – Not sure. I am CRAZY about taking care of my teeth. I brush all the time. Floss a lot. Carry dental hygiene awesomeness in my handbag – regularly. If I was going to have cheese breath you wouldn’t get the chance to notice. I think it’s pretty Colgate minty.

Charity – Step Down. I’ve got this one. Here’s the proof:

One glorious Black Friday morning as my husband and I were out during our favorite day of the year (like 4:00am and we had already been shopping all night), a man was handing out cheese samples. I partook. As we were walking out to the car, my hubby kept complaining that they needed to clean out their dumpsters. No matter how far away we got from the mall, he would say, “Man! What in the world?! Those are the worst smelling dumpsters!!” I’m like, “I’ve got nothing. Not smelling it.” It finally became VERY apparent that the dumpsters were falsely accused.

This was not the last time the devil’s breath came upon me from cheese.

— Ol’ dumpster mouth wins!

Charity 3 / Kristy 5

—– Kristy’s Questions!! 😮

11. The greatest TV show of all-time?

Kristy – LOST. I may be a fan of the amiable and elegant Downton Abbey, and a crazed #OnceUponaTimeAddict , but LOST will always have my Sawyer-Jack-Dharma-polar-bear-Oceanic-Six-smoke-monster-The-Others-flash-forward-Not-Penny’s-Boat-“See ya in another life, Brotha”-loving-heart. (LOST fans will get it.)

Charity – NICE! I do like LOST a lot. It was really good (except the crappy last season). But…I’m going to have to go with….Survivor! Yup!!! I also love Once Upon a Time, Blacklist, and Turn.

— tie!

Charity 3 / Kristy 5

12. How we decided on our kids’ names…

Kristy – By watching football games. (If you’re having a boy and you need a name — those games are golden for choices.) All of our boys are named after college/NFL players’ names from games we watched while I was pregnant.

Charity – AWESOME!! I love a good football kinda gal. My sons and I LOVE football. My husband, not so much.

However, my boys got their names very differently. I was a single mom before I got saved. I named my first born Benjamin (Son of my right hand) because I knew it would be me and him against the world.

Once I was married, my husband and I had another son and while I was pregnant, we were watching an episode of “Brat Camp” (a STUPID reality show where they send their bratty kids into the wilderness with these counselor guides to help them grow up). Anyway, one of the biggest “brats” was named Isaiah and we both were like, “I LOVE IT!”

— hahaha. Football is good, but….naming your child after the biggest “Brat” at “Brat Camp”? I’m taking it!

Charity 4 / Kristy 5 (Feel that? It’s me ABOUT TO PASS YOU!)

13. What’s your World-Champion-worthy talent that few people know of?

Kristy – I leave people in the dust while playing TCM classic movie trivia. If you’re betting, don’t raise me your car keys or you’ll be walking home. 🙂

Charity – I am sorry to say that I am about to be tied with you.

— Bam!!

Charity 5 / Kristy 5

14. What’s your worst habit?

Kristy – Thinking with a British accent. Yep. And then speaking with a fake British accent because you were thinking with one. This happens… All. The. Time. Cheers!

Charity – Oh my!! ha ha. Well, I think my worst is biting my nails… ew

— Tally Ho!

Charity 5 / Kristy 6

15. Would you rather go for a year without make-up -or- have to wear the same pair of shoes for a year?

Kristy – Sorry to my beloved heels… Chapstick alone wouldn’t get me through. I’d have to wear my Chucks for 365 days and smile with some cherry red lipstick while doing it. 🙂

Charity – AHHH! This is a HORRIBLE question!! If it wasn’t for my eyebrows, it would be a no brainer.

However, my eyebrows have decided that they should stop halfway across my eyes.

As you can clearly see, I need to draw those bad boys in! (and clean my make-up off better…obviously).

This is too hard! I’m totally torn.

I think…..

I’m going to have to go with the eyebrow halfsies so I can change up the shoes.

— Blah.

Charity 5 / Kristy 7

16. What’s your spirit animal?

Kristy – My favorite animal? The ever cute and well-dressed (in tuxedos!) penguins. But as for my true spirit animal? The Honey Badger. They may not look fancy, but those guys mean buisness at whatever they do. They’re absolutely fearless, wicked-smart, relentless… I love their tenacity. never give up on what you’re called to do in this life. Wow!

Charity – 😮

Girl, I have NO IDEA what language you are speaking. I think it’s that darned British coming out again!! hahahahahaha.

I don’t really like animals…so, there’s that.

— All. Yours!

Final:

Charity 5 / Kristy 8

again.

Thanks SO MUCH, Kristy! I had a blast 🙂 I am looking forward to finishing up the book and getting my review written out!

UH OH!! UH OH!!! You guessed it as soon as you saw those balloons come out, didn’t you my smart, little readers!!!?? Kristy is giving away a signed copy of her newest book, A Sparrow in Terezin!!!

All you have to do is head on over to a Rafflecopter giveaway and start entering!!!

*Only U.S. Rez (We do love the rest of you too!!)

** All entries will be checked. Any falsified entries will be disqualified.

GOOD LUCK!!

Face-Off with Loraine Nunley

Published on April 20, 2015 by aTransParentMom4 Comments

I am excited to introduce you to one of my favorite readers!! I met Loraine through the blogging circles and now have a chance to face-off with her! She has authored seven books and I will be reviewing one today!! You can check her out on Amazon.

What I really love about Loraine is her love for God. Check out this awesome quote from her website:

“My books are in a few different genres because I have enjoyed writing in different ones. All of them are borne out of love for God, my family and the written word.”

Alright!! Now that we have all that taken care of, we can PLAY!!!

The rules are simple: I ask Loraine some random questions. She replies and then I give my answers. Each winning answer is worth one point and I get to decide whose answer is better.

It’s my blog.

Here we go!

1. What’s the worst nickname you’ve ever had?

Loraine – Princess Chubbyfeet. I kid you not. I was sitting at a friend’s house one day looking down at my feet and ade the random comment that I noticed my feet were chubby. For the next year, I was dubbed with the new nickname. Thankfully the name didn’t last that long (can’t say the same for those chubby feet though :O)

Charity – Oh. My. Word! Ha ha ha ha. I think the worst one I had was Chirpidee. Definitely not anywhere as bad!!!

— Princess Chubbyfeet!!!

Charity 0 / Loraine 1

2. Do you have any crazy stories from going to camp when you were a kid?

Loraine – No. I wish I did though. I went to a church camp two years in a row. Most of what I remember was attending the evening church services and having to do a walk-a-thon to earn the money to go. Boring, I know.

Charity – ha (: You had to do a walk-a-thon to go to camp? Oh man!!! ha ha. Nothing too exciting happened to me either. Boring.

— We are boring.

Charity 0 / Loraine 1

3. What kind of crafts do you like to do?

Loraine – Well, I looove craft ideas, but when it comes to actually getting around to doing them…although, I do like making things with plastic canvas. I actually have a plastic canvas mini golf set that I started making when my son was about six… He’s eighteen now and he never lets me forget that I haven’t finished it.

Charity – I am SO confused!!! You made (partially) a GOLF SET out of PLASTIC CANVAS???? I am going to need a picture…

— If this is to be believed, I cannot win.

Loraine –

— Well, I’ll be darned!

Charity 0 / Loraine 2

4. When’s the last time you went to Starbucks? What did you order?

Loraine – A few weeks ago. I ordered a White Chocolate Mocha. I don’t go to Starbucks much until November when they serve my favorite, Caramel Brule Latte!

Charity – Ohhhhhh The fall is my favorite too! I love their Salted Caramel Mocha!!

— Tie

Charity 0 / Loraine 2

5. What’s your favorite cookbook?

Loraine – My son inherited my mom’s old Betty Crocker cookbook. It has all her notes about what did and didn’t work. It also has some of my favorite recipes she made when I was little… Butter cookies, ribbon cookies, chocolate cake, snickerdoodles… mmm, I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.

Charity – Me Too!!!

I wish I had a nostalgic one! I do have a recipe binder with some of my mom’s good recipes, but nothing like that!!!

— Nostalgic and passed down items win!!

Charity 0 / Loraine 3

6. Worst thing someone has cooked for you that you had to eat?

Loraine – Well, when my daughter was a pre-teen, she made stuffed ricotta shells. They were actually fine, but we coincidentally had a flu bug hit at the same time so everyone got sick. We all blamed the dinner! To this day, she and my son won’t eat ricotta cheese.

Charity – ewwww…. Very bad!

My son used to like to experiment in the kitchen. He’s a great cook now, but…whew. One time he put two cups of salt in the brownies……. You can imagine my surprise as I bit into them. 😯

— I GOT ONE!!

Charity 1 / Loraine 3

7. Have you ever seen a shark in the same body of water you were currently in? (being on a boat counts!)

Loraine – Nope. *huge sigh of relief* The closest I’ve been to a shark was standing on a platform at the top of a tank at the Georgia Aquarium. We watched two whale sharks pass by at the surface only a few feet away. That was enough for me.

Charity – *shudder* So gross. We go to the beach every year and one year a fisherman caught a baby shark right by where we were swimming. WAHHHHHHHHHHHH

— I get another one!!!

Charity 2 / Loraine 3

8. How do you strive to bring God the most glory in your life?

Loraine – That’s a tough one! I always feel like I’m falling short in that category. I guess I would have to say that I strive everyday to be the wife and mother that God wants me to be, then I hope to follow that by writing in a way that pleases Him.

Charity – Love it. I just love Him and I assume that will shine through in all things. He’s my first Love!

— GOD WINS!!

Charity 2 / Loraine 3

9. Next author that should be on Famous Friday? I know you like them 😉

Loraine – Does Richard Castle count? I’ve read some of “his” books.

Charity – No idea who that is…I will check into it!!!

— ??

Charity 2 / Loraine 3

10. Do you ride roller coasters?

Loraine – Yes, but I’ve gotten a little timid as I get older. I don’t like the roller coasters that break speed and height limits anymore. So somewhere between carousel and death trap, I guess.

Charity – Girl, I hear that!!! I love them, but last time I went to an amusement park for the day, it screwed up my back and neck for a week!! Severe, horrible pain!!!

— Getting old, STINKS!! Except for the part that you can say whatever you want and people just dismiss you as being old and senile, so you get away with it.

Charity 2 / Loraine 3

11. Did you ever suntan with baby oil or Crisco on?

Loraine – Nooo. Hey! *sniff* Is that chicken I smell?

Charity – HAHAHAHAHAH.

I used to. But, my best friend, at the time, would use Crisco and lie on her roof…so, at least I wasn’t THAT crazy…

— Not sure if I should win for stupidity? Well, it was the question!

FINAL:

Charity 3 / Loraine 3

WOO HOO! Close one!!!

Thank you so much, Loraine!! I had so much fun getting to know you better (:

Oh, you smart readers already know what I’m about to say when you see the balloons pop up!! THAT’S RIGHT!! Loraine has, so kindly, offered to give away 3 COPIES of her book, 40 Birthday Celebration Ideas, which I will be reviewing later today!!

So, just head on over here and fill out a Rafflecopter giveaway! She is willing to give the reader a choice between paperback and e-book!!

Thanks so much, girl!! WOO HOO!!

*Only US Rez for Paperback. Anyone can choose E-Book

** All entries will be checked. Any falsified will be disqualified! GOOD LUCK!!

Chatting with Caryl McAdoo (and a FACE-OFF) +Giveaway!!!!

Published on April 17, 2015April 17, 2015 by aTransParentMom8 Comments

Alright! I am excited to introduce you to Caryl! I am sure some of you have already read a few of her books, but you will be finding out all about her when we chat! A multi-published author, Caryl has hit on almost every genre imaginable!

Today, she, and some other authors, will be having a virtual party from 10:00am – 6:00pm. There will be fun giveaways and a chance to stop by and chat with these fabulous ladies! So, make sure to head on over there! (Link is in tan)

Let’s get started, shall we?

Charity – Hey, Caryl! Thanks so much for stopping by. Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself.

Caryl – My name is pronounced carol and means joyful song!
I live on 34 acres in the center of the woods–‘The Peaceable’ surrounded by 882 acres of McAdoo Ranch, my brother-in-law’s property. I love 4-wheeling or riding my Bliss (American Quarter Horse) all over it 🙂
I have fourteen grandsugars and one GREAT grandsugar! Most of them live within a few hours–in Northeast Texas, but two live in Virgina. Four of the grandsons have lived WITH me and O’Pa the last thirteen years, but the oldest graduated and is off to college now. The next to oldest at sixteen asked to go live with maternal grandparents when that granddad (age 82) fell and broke his hip. My Gregory felt like he could help do what Grandddad couldn’t – so we let him So we’re down to two – Christian, a fifteen-year-old and Benjamen, twelve.

Charity – I love this! They are some precious kiddos!I hear you have a new book coming out?

Caryl – My next historical Texas Romance Sins of the Mothers debuts May 3rd – my 65th birthday. 🙂 I think that’s when you’re legally old In my brain, I’m still in my 30s but my body knows better. 🙂

Charity – How exciting!!! You are giving a book away at the Virtual Party on Facebook, right?

Caryl – I’m giving away Sing A New Song!

Charity – Your new release! How cool!!!

Alright, now that we’ve taken care of business, let’s get onto the fun stuff!!!

The rules are simple: I ask Caryl some random questions. She replies and then I give my answers. Each winning answer is worth one point and I get to decide whose answer is better.

It’s my blog.

Here we go!

1. If you could go back to any time in history, what would you choose and why? Plus, what would you do in that time?

Caryl – I would choose to go back to Jerusalem during the time Christ walked the earth, hear Him teach, see His face, look into His eyes!

Charity – Hey!!! You can’t say that! How could I possibly win now!!!! ❤

–Tricky Caryl beat me on that one 😉

Charity 0 / Caryl 1

2. What is your favorite historical movie/tv show?

Caryl – Oh what an easy question!! Downton Abbey! I hadn’t seen ANY of it but kept hearing about it. My Daddy went to Heaven last July. He’d been living at my sister’s and whenever she asked, I’d go and relieve her, stay with him. She had all the past seasons and the first show of the first season hooked me! When the new season started in 2015, I was so excited, but I found them too hard to watch. Daddy and I had done so many Downton Abbey marathons. The new season made me
so sad in my heart…

Charity – Oh! I am so, very sorry. I can’t even imagine. I would be a TOTAL WRECK!!!

I love the show, Turn. It’s about the Culpepper Spy Ring during the Revolutionary War.

— Tie

Charity 0 / Caryl 1

3. Who is your real life hero?

Caryl – My husband. He’s the most Christ-like man I’ve ever known! He loves me when I am unlovable, leads and guides me, advises me, reins me in when I need reining, knows me better than I know myself, completes me. Second only to God, Ron McAdoo, my love and best friend since we were sixteen—almost fifty years ago—is my everything.

Charity – 😥 That is so sweet ❤

I have to agree that it’s my hubby! I have a lot of health problems and he works hard all day and then comes home and tries to help me feel better by cooking dinner, giving me massages, etc…So selfless. He’s even taken up grocery shopping when I hit a rough patch!! ❤ That’s true love right there!! Wait for it, ladies!

— OUR HUBBIES WIN!!!

Charity 0 / Caryl 1

4. How do you strive to bring God the most glory in your life?

Caryl – Writing, singing, shouting His praises, rearing my grandsons, sharing His story, gardening, loving my family, loving my friends, being kind, patient, gentle, longsuffering, faithful, serving those in my life. Praying my story gives God glory is “my tag line” what I want people to remember what I was all about—bringing Him glory!

My ‘tag line’ or ‘Motto’ or mojo–whatever you call it– is “Praying my story gives God glory.” And He is giving me an ever growing platform through my writing. Still, my favorite way I hope brings Him the most glory is in praise and worship.

Charity – Again, beautifully said!!

— GOD WINS!!

Charity 0 / Caryl 1

5. Funniest thing your grandkids have done?

Caryl – My #12, Benjamen Cash McAdoo, twelve years old right now, was five when we moved to Red River County. Not in school yet, he went with me to deliver his brother to the first day at their new school. His oldest brother went to Middle School. While his coach and vice-principal showed us Matthew’s classes, we caught Ben standing in the open doorway of on class flirting with a pretty girl inside. With only his pinky finger and thumb standing, he placed his hand next to his ear, smiling and nodding. ‘Call me’ he gestured! That boy has always loved pretty girls. I told him once, “You do know that the reason those beautiful older girls are cheesing up to you to get to your big brother (Matthew was voted Most Handsome his senior year.) Benjamen said, “Whatever you think, Grami.” What am I going to do when he’s a teen? That’s NEXT YEAR! I’ll pray and trust God!

Charity – LOL!! Nice! Kids are so darned cute!!!

— Well, I don’t have grandkids yet…HURRY UP, BOYS!

Charity 0 / Caryl 2

6. Favorite Fred MacMurray movie?

Caryl – Hmmm, guess I’d say “The Absent-Minded Peofessor.” I hadn’t thought of ol’ Fred in a L*O*N*G time! 🙂 The man sure was loveable!

Charity – OMGoodness! I know!! I liked him in The Happiest Millionaire!! His Biddle Bible Class was THE BEST!! Also, Ba-rum Pum Pum!!!

A close second would be Follow Me Boys! Such a great guy!! Loved his acting ❤

— As Spike Jones would sing: “beetle-bum”

Final:

Charity 0 / Caryl 2

really badly!

Thanks so much for your time, Caryl! I enjoyed getting to know you better!!!

Guess What…???!!!! YEP!! You got it!!! Caryl is generously giving away Reader’s Choice of

You may choose paperback or e-book. Just head on over here to a Rafflecopter giveaway and start entering!!

*Open to anyone, but outside of US must choose e-book

** All entries will be verified and any falsified entries will be disqualified.

Face-Off with Melanie Dickerson!!!!!!

Published on April 15, 2015April 15, 2015 by aTransParentMom12 Comments

I am sure pretty much all of my readers have heard of this fabulous lady!!! Let’s take a look at some of her achievements, shall we?

For The Healer’s Apprentice:

For The Merchant’s Daughter:

Best part? Each of those books are only $5.12 right now!!!!!!

Ok, now that we have that cleared up….

We Play.

Look at you flashing that thing! Your Christy Award doesn’t scare me!!

BRING IT!

The rules are simple: I ask Melanie some random questions. She replies and then I give my answers. Each winning answer is worth one point and I get to decide whose answer is better.

It’s my blog.

Here we go!

1. Are you an avid ice skater?

Melanie – I’ve never ice skated in my life. It seems like a very painful way to get hurt. Blades? Solid ice? No thanks. But I was a fair roller skater in my childhood.

I distinctly remember the last time I roller skated. It was right after I finished college. I was 22 or 23 years old. Ever since then, I’ve been too afraid I’d break something.

Charity – Girl, I hear ya!!! I would definitely break something. I trip over air!!!

I miss the good old days of roller rink parties!!! Man! We need to bring back roller skating. That’s what’s wrong with this generation…

— Tie. Wimps.

Charity 0 / Melanie 0

2. What’s the most embarrassing wardrobe malfunction/or accidental leaving the house in pj’s etc… outfit you have worn in public?

Melanie – Oh, gosh. I have probably blocked out some of them, as I tend to do that with painful memories. Once, as a teenager, I went to school all day with tuna in my shirt pocket. I had on a button front shirt with a little pocket on one side. I hated breakfast food, so sometimes I ate a sandwich for breakfast. That morning, I’d eaten a tuna sandwich. When I got home from school, I smelled the fish on my shirt and looked and there was about a teaspoon of tuna in my pocket. No one said anything, but I must have smelled like fish all day!

Charity – AHH! haha. At least you didn’t get nicknamed “fishy”, or something horrible like that!!

I used to re-enact Civil War. The stars aligned one day and the back of my skirt had a hole in it. The back of my hoop had a hole in it. Let’s just say I had lest than modest undergarments on… Somehow those darned holes found each other and lined right up. I wore it all day like that. Nobody said a word! OMGosh….

— I am so taking that one! It was close….but I’d take the tuna in my pocket any day!!

Charity 1 / Melanie 0

3. If you could be an x-man, which one would you be?

Melanie – Well, since I’m a little in love with Hugh Jackman, I’d be any one of the female x-men who might have a shot at Wolverine. LOL!

Charity – OMGosh!! hahahahahahahaha. I couldn’t have said it better 😉

— Tie!!! *swoon*

Charity 1 / Melanie 0

4. Weirdest fan incident?

Melanie – I have had a few. One girl wrote to me and said my book confirmed to her that she was supposed to marry a certain famous person’s son. She had never met this guy, but she believed that God had told her she was going to marry him. I intended to write her back, but I just did not know what to say! I feel guilty that I never wrote her back SOMETHING, even if it wasn’t the right thing. So, if you’re out there and reading this, I’m sorry! I do believe God sometimes speaks to us, but you should be wary of thinking that God has ordained something, especially when it comes to another person’s life and free will, and especially concerning who you will marry. Pray about it every day and let the Holy Spirit lead you to your life’s calling and the person you are to marry.

Charity – Wow. There are no words… I suppose God is sovereign enough to tell you your future through a fictional, historical piece of literature, but… ?? I’m thinking not so much in this case.

— Uh, I’m just glad she didn’t say me!!!

Charity 1 / Melanie 1

5. Do your kids have any “toys” or “Games” that you like to play on the sly?

Melanie – I dearly detest any sort of electronic games, like angry birds, etc. I have two teen daughters, and their games they play on their iPods and whatnot just do not tempt me. But I do love putting together puzzles. I buy them “For” my daughters, but then I have to cajole them into putting them together with me! LOL! I also try to force them to play Scrabble with me, but they’re like, “Oh, Mom, I think I have to go…wash my hair.”

Charity – Nice!!! ha. I love puzzles too, but I just own it. I also LOVE building their Legos!! Both boys always gave them to me to build because I love it and they don’t. They just wanted to play. They jumped around all Christmas morning waiting for me to finish this huge starship or some nonsense.

— I think Melanie gets that! She’s a trickster with the puzzles 😉 and that was the question!

Charity 1 / Melanie 2

6. Favorite TV marathon?

Melanie – Psych. Oh my goodness, my younger daughter is completely addicted to that show, and since they put the entire 8 seasons streaming on Netflix… Let’s just say, it drives my older daughter crazy sometimes. I do love Psych too, but I always feel like I don’t have time to just sit and watch an entire episode. but, that’s okay. I’ve seen and listened to bits and pieces of every single episode, so that I still feel like I’ve seen them all.

Charity – I suppose I don’t have a favorite. I have plowed through many… Survivor, Turn, ONCE, and Blacklist are the shows I love. (I also have a secret affinity for Pretty Little Liars. shhhhh. Don’t tell)

— Who has time to watch tv when you are writing books or reading them?!?!

Charity 1 / Melanie 2

7. Any festivals you attend every year?

Melanie – We have a Christian music festival, Soulstock, that comes every May that we usually go to. I’ve seen some great bands there, including the Newsboys. Also, we go to the Tennessee Renaissance Festival almost every year. Lots of medieval costumes and it’s held at an actual castle just outside of Nashville – a modern castle, but it’s made in the old style and it’s amazing!

Charity – *drooling* I want to gooooo!!!!!

You know where else I want to go? To Creationfest. Ahhhhh!! Someday I’ll make it!

— You had me at castle..

Charity 1 / Melanie 3

8. How do you strive to bring God the most glory in your life?

Melanie – I hope my books are doing that. And I just strive, rather imperfectly, I’m sure, to have a positive attitude and to attribute the good things in my life to God’s provision, because I know without God, I wouldn’t even be here. The good things are all due to Him and certainly no to my own goodness or strength.

Charity – Beautiful. I’m so in love with Him ❤ I just want to go to Heaven already! I’m going to sit in His lap and be a total God hog. Booyah!

— God ALWAYS WINS!

Charity 1 / Melanie 3

9. Favorite time in history?

Melanie – Would have to be the 1300’s Medieval times in general. I love everything about that period – the knights, the castles, the half-timber houses, the political structure (of Germany), the fact that people could reinvent themselves, since there was no photography, no TV news, broadcasts, etc. I also love that no one really doubted God was real. Everyone believed in the supernatural, which is just so different from our time of skepticism and having more faith in science than God.

Charity – *drooling again*. Ok, so anyone that had a different answer has now changed their minds. Congratulations.

— Melanie

Charity 1 / Melanie 4

10. Have you ever been on a trolley (that was actually functioning as a trolley)?

Melanie – We called them trolley buses in Ukraine. I spent 11 months in Ukraine, nearly the entire year of 1996. They have a great system of public transportation, and since I had no car, I rode the trolley buses, which were powered by electric wires that ran down every major street of our town of Bila Tserkva. It was something I had never seen before in my life, being from rural Alabama! But, it was fairly efficient. Sometimes a bus would break down, and then you might wait an hour for a bus to come. But generally you didn’t have to wait more than five minutes for one.

Charity – Why do have to be such an amazing writer and make me forget all my cool stories????? blah.

I rode a trolley in Yorktown.

lame.

— waaahhhhhh

Charity 1 / Melanie 5

11. Coolest place you have visited?

Melanie – Besides Ukraine, which has the most amazing churches and history and art, and the sweetest people you can imagine, I would say Germany. I got to see a couple of castles while I was there, and lots of wonderful old churches, but I would love to go back and see more castles! I love nature and visiting natural wonders, but the coolest places in the world are the places that have some kind of wonderful old history about them.

Charity – Getting up and walking away. Oh, and throwing my computer across the room.

–Total annihilation.

Final:

Charity 1 / Melanie 6

I’ve never lost so badly. I got run over and someone is plugging my nose.

Wow. That’s gonna hurt for a few days!

But…GUESS WHAT?? You’ve got it! Melanie is giving away a paperback copy of her NEW RELEASE, The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest!! It’s shaping up to be my new favorite (review later today). Who knows…maybe she’ll even sign it 😉

Isn’t it so beautiful!!!! ❤

All you have to do is head on over to this a Rafflecopter giveaway
and sign up!

*For US rez only (Sorry, guys! We do love the rest of you….)

**All entries will be checked and any falsified will be disqualified!!

A HUGE THANK YOU to Melanie for taking time out of her insanely busy life to talk to me ❤

I also want to show you guys something really cool….You ready for a reveal of her OTHER New Release this year? It’s BEAUTIFUL!!! Coming this fall!! The story of Rapunzel…

Face-Off with Rachel Hauck

Published on April 13, 2015April 13, 2015 by aTransParentMom1 Comment

Who doesn’t love an awesome fairy tale? Isn’t it every girls’ dream to marry a prince?? This is the third book in Rachel’s Royal Wedding Series. (and the first one I’ve read!!!)

Review to follow later today.

For now, we play!!

The rules are simple: I ask Rachel some random questions. She replies and then I give my answers. Each winning answer is worth one point and I get to decide whose answer is better.

It’s my blog.

Here we go!

1. Do you prefer shopping malls, or the new, trendy outdoor malls?

Rachel – Ooo, does online count? LOL. I do like the new trendy outdoor malls.

Charity – Girl, I hear ya!!! Amazon is my best friend!!! I like the outdoor ones too!!!

— Tie!

Charity 0 / Rachel 0

2. Favorite pair of hot, little shoes?

Rachel – Flip flops. 🙂 All the way. Though I do have a pair of dark red patent leather heels I love.

Charity – Ohhhhh!! Who can compete with a red patent leather heel?????????

— Rachel!!!

Charity 0 / Rachel 1

3. What’s a fun Holiday tradition you have that nobody else does? (ANY holiday…a made up, unique one is even better!)

Rachel – I have a made up holiday with my older brother called “Opening College Football Weekend.” My husband and I go to his house and watch football all day on the first day of college football. So fun.

Charity – How fun!!!!! We have an annual holiday: 99 days ’til Christmas! We decorate the house, put up a small tree, do little gifts, eat yummy food and watch Elf. It’s SO much fun! We love it and look forward to it every year.

— Tie!! We are AWESOME!!

Charity 0 / Rachel 1

4. What is your favorite type of pizza? Toppings?

Rachel – I love just cheese. Crazy, but I started liking it way back in college and have been true blue ever since.

Charity – Oh, I love a good veggie pizza!!! The more veggies, the merrier!

— Veggies win!!!

Charity 1 / Rachel 1

5. How do you strive to bring God the most glory in your life?

Rachel – What a great questions! I think being authentic is the best way to show I’m human, but how God has met me so many times and answered so many prayers. I talk honestly about His work in my life.

Charity – Well said! I agree. I believe that we have to be honest with our mistakes and use them to bring God glory! Otherwise, it’s just a wasted, crappy situation!

— God wins!!!!!!!!!

Charity 1 / Rachel 1

6. Are you a pet person?

Rachel – In spades!! I love animals. We’ve had four dogs and two cats.

Charity – Ohh…. I am not so much We had a dog for a few months, but I couldn’t handle him waiting outside the bathroom door and tripping over him constantly. We gave him to my parents! ha ha. We still visit him!!! He’s much happier now…

— Rachel is nice and not as high maintenance!!

Charity 1 / Rachel 2

7. Farthest you have ever run?

Rachel – On purpose, or because I was being chased? ;p I’ve run 3 miles before because I thought it would be fun. I have a weird sense of humor.

Charity – OMGosh. Yes you do! ha ha.

The farthest I’ve run? How about to the end of my street? (BTW, we live on the corner…)

— HANDS DOWN, Rachel!

Charity 1 / Rachel 3

8. Ever been to a professional sports game?

Rachel – Yes. I’ve been to a few Reds baseball games and when I was in college I photographed a professional football game played at Ohio State. Very Fun!

Charity – Fun! I have only been to one Redskins game.

— You are crushing me!!! Good thing I took the veggie pizza one!

Charity 1 / Rachel 4

9. What is the funniest story (or a funny one) revolving around you and your spouse?

Rachel – My husband is very witty and clever so he makes me laugh a lot. The most recent funny thing — not THE funniest, but one I can remember– happened at church. After leading worship, I sat in my usual chair and he came to sit next to me. After a few minutes I leaned over and said, “How was worship?” He made a face. “Good. You just asked me that?”

“Huh? No I didn’t.”

“Yes you did. I sat down and you asked, ‘How was worship?’ and I said, ‘Good’.”

“No way. I didn’t say anything to you”

“Yes you did.”

“You must have imagined it.”

“YOU must have imagined you didn’t.”

It was funny, but also very weird. Like I completely forgot a moment in time. LOL!

Charity – ha ha hahaha! That’s so something that I would do too!!! My husband is also hilarious. He is always doing funny things to make us laugh. He’ll have hidden glow sticks in the house and will turn the lights off and hand them out and blast some tobyMac while we have a dance party with glow sticks in the dark. Completely random! But so fun!!

<—- My hubby and oldest son (before he became 6’3” and about to graduate high school!! waahhhh… getting away from the point here…) wearing fake mustaches out to eat. ha ha. So fun!! They keep me young!!

— Fun husbands are THE BEST! They win!!

Final:

Charity 1 / Rachel 4

to say the least…

Thanks, so much!! I had such a great time, Rachel! Looking forward to posting my review (:

Check out Rachel’s Royal Wedding Series here:

Face-Off with Sarah M. Eden!!

Published on April 11, 2015April 11, 2015 by aTransParentMom5 Comments

Sarah has long been one of my favorite authors! You can check out all of her books Here!

The Kiss of a Stranger is one of my favorites! She writes quite a bit of Regency romance, but has other genres too. Best part about this book? It’s only $3.99!! Now, that’s a steal! (Link is in the pic).

Sarah’s latest release is For Elise, which I will be reviewing today as well! They are beautiful stories, full of rich characters and sweet romance!

All that is well and good, but we are here, right now, to PLAY!

So, no more dilly dally! Let’s get to it!!

Now, see here. This is a perfect example of a pinterest fail. Look at how nice she looks sitting outside. Now, look at me attempting to be as smooth as Sarah. It’s not happening. The giant, horn zit growing off my chin doesn’t help matters in the least!!

The rules are simple. I ask Sarah some random questions. She replies and then I give my answers. Each winning answer is worth one point and I get to decide whose answer is better.

It’s my blog.

Here we go!

1. Have you ever gone hunting?

Sarah – I haven’t!

Charity – Me either!!! I think I am content to keep it that way. Especially after watching Duck Dynasty. Gross.

— Tie! Smart Ladies Here!

Charity 0 / Sarah 0

2. What does your favorite mug (you own) look like?

Sarah – I use teacups more than mugs. My favorite teacup is white china with little red roses and a dainty little handle. I found it at a thrift shop for 75¢. Not too shabby, right?

Charity – Not too shabby, indeed!! I love tea cups too!!!! I love pretty little cups. That’s mostly what I have too!

Although, my brother seems to think I’m a giant crank, apparently, because he got me a big mug for Christmas that says, “All stressed out and nobody to choke!!”. Not to mention he got me a shirt with a crabby cat on it that says, “This is my happy face”. Is he trying to get something across? Not sure.

— 75¢ is the way to DO it!

Charity 0 / Sarah 1

3. Have you ever visited any castles?

Sarah – I have! Bunratty Castle, King John’s Castle, Dublin Castle, Waterford Castle, Lynch’s Castle and, my personal favorite, Kilkenny Castle

Charity – Ok….Simmer down now!!! No need to show off….ha ha 🙂 I am totally impressed! I haven’t heard of most of them, so you could totally be making it up, but I’m going to believe you and say that I am insanely jealous!!!!!

— I had NO CHANCE to win that one!

Charity 0 / Sarah 2

4. What’s your favorite drink?

Sarah – This will likely sound super boring, but I am an ice water kinda gal. I grew up in the life-draining heat of Phoenix, Arizona and gained an early appreciation for the joys of cold water on a hot day.

Charity – Yes, boooorrrring!! 😉 How about Sweet Iced Tea???? Or UnSweetened! Both are amazing. When I was pregnant, I would drink 1 – 2 gallons of tea a day. No wonder I was the size of a BOAT. When people saw my little newborns, their reactions were always, “OH!! I thought he would be much bigger!!”

hahahahahahahaha!!!!!! That can ONLY mean one thing!!!

— I am so taking that point!

Charity 1 / Sarah 2

5. Do you have loads and loads of bookshelves, or do you mostly have e-books?

Sarah – Both. I have a lot of bookshelves, most 2-deep with books in all genres. I also have loads of e-books I haven’t gotten around to reading yet.

Charity – Sounds exactly like me!!

— Tie for the book nerds!

Charity 1 / Sarah 2

6. Most awkward dating moment?

Sarah – I’d been on a date that hadn’t gone super well. Nothing earth-shatteringly horrible, we just didn’t hit it off. I was anxious to be back home and done. Upon reaching my apartment, I realized I didn’t have my keys. None of my roommates were home, so I was locked out. The guy was really nice about it and stayed with me while I tried a few of the neighbors (These were the days before cell phones), but we kept coming up empty. I finally found someone home only to realize they were having an in-home dinner date. There’s a certain indescribably awkwardness to interrupting a date that is going well in order to end a date that isn’t.

Charity – Oh my gosh! ha ha. Mine is nothing to that. I went out with a guy once and he was wearing mega high water pants. Like, 6 inches above his shoes. I thought I was going to die of embarrassment. Totally shallow?

— Sarah gets that one, hands down!!

Charity 1 / Sarah 3

7. Coolest thing you have made out of snow? (Snowman, Igloo, Cave, Angel, etc…)

Sarah – A few winters ago, we had a particularly high snowfall in the weeks leading up to Christmas. So, my husband, kids and I spent an afternoon building an enormous fort in our backyard. It had multiple rooms and passageways. It lasted for a couple of weeks before it finally melted away.

Charity – Oh my goodness! You are awesome! I’ve got nothing!!

— Am I lame or what? The best thing I’ve made is an uneven snow angel.

Charity 1 / Sarah 4

8. What’s your favorite snack?

Sarah – This is likely a weird answer, but it’s something I recently discovered and absolutely love: Armenian cracker bread and hummus. Mmmmm!!

Charity – That does sound amazing!! I love fruit, fruit and more fruit! Also, salted, dark chocolate almonds.

— Both are healthy and sound delish!

Charity 1 / Sarah 4

9. what’s the status of your toenails? Nice and painted, or hidden away not looking so great in all their winter glory?

Sarah – They’re kept neat and trimmed, though not painted. Just ordinary.

Charity – You are like a princess. It’s amazing! As Mary Poppins would say, “Practically Perfect in Every Way!”

Mine are disgusting. I have some green toenail polish that’s trying to hold on for dear life on about…3 toes.

— Princess Sarah 🙂

Charity 1 / Sarah 5

10. Have you ever called a person out that you saw in a public restroom not washing their hands?

Sarah – I can’t say that I have.

Charity – Me either. However, now I will. I will be ever so polite and say, “Oh! Hey, the sinks are this way!! Over here!!”

— We are wimps!! That’s probably why our kids get sick.

Charity 1 / Sarah 5

11. How do you feel that you are bringing God the most glory in your life?

Sarah – One of my favorite verses is found in the 4th chapter of 1 John, the sixteenth verse: “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” I am a firm believer that when we live our lives with love for others, love for ourselves, and love for God that we are glorifying Him because He is love. I try to reflect that love in my life and in the way I view and treat others. I fall short of the mark often, as we all do, but I hope that in some small way I am learning o be more like Him and am extending His arm of love and kindness to others.

Charity – Absolutely beautiful. I couldn’t have said it better. 1 John 4 is one of my favorite chapters as well ❤

— God Wins!

FINAL:

Charity 1 / Sarah 5

To say the least.

Thanks so much, Sarah! I had such a great time (:

Check back in a bit for my review of For Elise!!!

Face-Off with Chad Gibbs

Published on March 28, 2015March 31, 2015 by aTransParentMom6 Comments

Chad Gibbs’ newest book will be released on Tuesday. Jesus Without Borders: What Planes, Trains and Rickshaws Taught Me About Jesus is his third book and I will be offering up my review on its release date! woop!! — Link is in the pic

But for now, we play….

Wha?? You don’t even know what you’ve gotten yourself into, boi!!! This is the real deal. I don’t play games. I WIN games! You look like you’ve come ready to play… Let’s see what happens!

The rules are simple. I ask Chad some random questions. He replies and then I give my answers. Each winning answer is worth one point and I get to decide whose answer is better.

It’s my blog.

Here we go!

1. Worst food you ate while traveling?

Chad – I have to have a local’s assistance when traveling or I’ll almost always end up eating at an American fast food joint. And it’s not that I don’t enjoy trying new things, it’s just I want to make sure whatever I eat fills me up and gives me enough energy to make it to the next meal. That’s why I eat McNuggets abroad when I pretty much never eat them at home. They’re a known quantity. I know exactly what McNuggets and fries will taste like, and while they won’t be delicious, they will be edible, and get me through the day. That said, Japan’s fast food was a little different. The sausage biscuit at Burger King was basically a hamburger patty on a bun, topped with a weird looking egg and all the mayonnaise they could find. And the chicken strips at KFC still had a thick, slimey layer of skin on the chicken. After those two disasters I pretty much ate local.

Charity – huh. I am pretty sure that McNuggets are actually a very unknown substance. Quantity, yes, but substance…not so much. Also, thank you, I may never eat at KFC again.

Scariest food I ever ate while traveling would have to be a boring answer. It’s just fresh fruit in the Dominican Republic. No good sewage lines… But poop makes a great fertilizer, so… You can probably guess why I was so frightened. Plus, all the locals warned me.

— KFC won that one for ya, buddy.

Charity 0 / Chad 1

2. Have you ever jumped out of a plane? (Of course, one that is flying and with a parachute…no snarky answers!!)

Chad – I’ve never jumped out of a plane. I know we can’t really control how or when we die, but I’ve decided my obituary will not contain the phrase ‘sky diving accident’. Although I suppose a sky diver could land on me, so maybe I should go ahead and sky dive, or always stay indoors.

Charity – Hmm. I have always wanted to. But, now you have me thinking of my obituary and what it could say. Perhaps I would like to find a more entertaining phrase for mine. “She died on the pooper” could be a good one. Or maybe “She died stuffing her face”. Either one.

— At least I want to sky dive.

Charity 1 / Chad 1

3. Favorite kind of date with your wife?

Chad – We have a twenty month old, you’re going to have to remind me what dates are again. Back in our wild college days we spent consecutive Friday nights at a grocery store’s grand opening filling up on free samples. Pre-kids our go-to date was dinner, an hour wandering around a bookstore, and home with a rented movie we’d fall asleep during.

Charity – I hear ya. We always end up at Target on every date. Can’t help it. It just happens. We always need something lame and can’t wait another minute to pick up a bottle of shampoo. As if I don’t have 30 bottles in my bathroom already. Who knows which ones are empty and which ones aren’t anymore.

Our go to? Chili’s and a movie. Of course, our movie theater has those amazing lazy-boy chairs that recline with the footrests. ahhh.. It’s the life.

— Tie

4. Biggest phobia?

Chad – The dentist. I’d much rather give a public speech on a turbulent airplane than go to the dentist. I actually just went for the first time in, uh….a long time. I have to go back because I have a cavity. Maybe a skydiver will fall on me before then.

Charity – OMGosh. ha ha. I am right there with you. My husband and I waited 6 years before our latest visit. Bad. Idea. He had like 500 cavities. NOT ME THOUGH!! It just took them a few hours to scrape all the crap off my teeth as I sat there trying to think happy thoughts.

— Absolutely a tie

5. How are you bringing God the most glory in your life?

Chad – I like to think through my work. I know sometimes my writing doesn’t go as deep as some Christians want it to, but I try to write in a humous and entertaining way that might appeal to a non-Chrisitan, or a Christian that wants something a little different than a typical Christian book. My first book was about college football in the south, and I heard from lots of readers who said they typically wouldn’t have picked up a “Christian” book. I’m hoping the travel elements of the new book have the same effect.

Charity – That is pretty cool. I guess, for me, it’s being a mom and teaching my boys how to love God no matter what the situation. It’s never about me. My oldest boy is graduating from high school next year and it’s been lots of prayer and apologies to keep it real. I never want my kids to think I am above apologizing when I’m wrong. We are all human and love each other no matter what.

— God wins

6. Favorite movie or tv show?

Chad – My favorite movie is the Empire Strikes Back. Our second son is due in April, and our first son turns two in May, so I’m worried about the timing of introducing them to Star Wars. I don’t want the older boy spoiling the, “I am your father,” moment, so I may end up waiting until they are both old enough to watch it. As for TV, we watch Downton Abbey, Modern Family. I was sad to see Parks and Recreation end, and will miss Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart. I stay at home with our son, so i also see a lot of Sesame Street, Peg Plus Cat, Thomas & Friends, Curious George, and The Cat in the Hat Knows a lot about That!

Charity – Wow. She’s really gotcha with that Downton Abbey, eh? Good woman there. My favorite movie is ABSOLUTELY Warrior. You know, with Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy!!?? ahhhhhhhhh. I want to go watch it now.

Yes, I can see how your older one could ruin it for the halfling. Congrats, btw!! It might be wise to wait and present it to them at once.

— Uh, Warrior wins!

Charity 2 / Chad 1

7. Sports teams?

Chad – I’m an Auburn fan. My wife and I met in school at Auburn, and we moved back here five years ago. Our house is less than a mile from Jordan-Hare Stadium. I’m also a big fan of Manchester City in the English Premier League. Both Auburn and Manchester City’s rival teams (Alabama and Manchester United) have massive fan bases, so this answer may really hurt book sales.

Charity – Oh wow. You are laying it on the line there. I have no bone to pick with you though. I don’t follow any of that. We are a Redskins fam. I also like the Braves (baseball, just in case you didn’t know). Of course, I was in college when they won their world series and was the biggest fan then. TBS showed every game. Win.

— I’ll give you that one because of the great risk you are taking.

Final:

Charity 2 / Chad 2

Thanks so much for playing! I had a blast reading your answers!!

Now, on to the EXCITING NEWS!!!

Chad has offered to giveaway THREE SIGNED COPIES of his NEW RELEASE!!!

All you have to do is click on the link and follow the instructions. I am sure you are going to love the book. As you can see, Chad has a bit o’ wit about him and his book shows it!

Just remember, only 2 of the options are mandatory. Everything else is just extra points!!! So, don’t feel overwhelmed. Just do the ones you want.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

** All entries will be double checked upon completion. Any winners that falsified their entry will be disqualified.