Travel – aTransParentMom

Face-Off with Melanie Dobson!!

Published on May 27, 2015May 27, 2015 by aTransParentMom1 Comment

Ah, Melanie, Melanie! I am so psyched to have her with us today! I love her historical fiction! She is such a talented author and winner of multiple awards (including two Carol Awards).

If you get a chance, head on over to HER SITE and read about their adoption story. Since we are in the process of adopting, this was so great to see 🙂

Her latest book, Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, is releasing in a couple of weeks! Check it out!! Review to follow in a couple of days…

Let’s get to it, shall we?

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. What is the song that always gets stuck in your head after hearing it once? (you’re welcome)

Melanie – “Let it go. Let it go. Can’t hold it back anymore.”

Do you have kids? You can thank my youngest daughter for that one. 🙂

Charity – (Let me start by saying that it was purely coincidental that this question was done two days in a row. That’s just how the chips fell…)

Ok, so…that song is horrible and I am so sorry for you. Of course, having all boys, that song is “Let it flow. Let it flow!” Yes. they are singing about pee.

— Tie

Charity 0 / Melanie 0

2. What language do you think you would sound the coolest speaking?

Melanie – Definitely French. It sounds super cool on the lips of those who know how to speak it. Unfortunately, the French didn’t think I was very cool when I tried to speak it in France. I butchered their beautiful language…

Charity – Ooh, you’ve been to France! How cool is that?! I think it would be fun to speak like an Australian bloke! ha. Or a British chap. Solely so that I could say words like bloke and chap.

— You’ve been to FRANCE!

Charity 0 / Melanie 1

3. What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever built out of toys?

Melanie – When I was a girl, I loved to build new worlds and go on great journeys with my Barbie dolls. Instead of using toys, I created imaginary worlds with shoeboxes, paper, lots of tape, and chalk when it was warm enough to draw an entire village on our driveway. My favorite adventure was taking my dolls on the Oregon Trail (my basement was a treacherous place in the 1970s!).

Charity – Oh man! Sounds so fun. We had this GINORMOUS chalkboard…like the kind that go on a schoolroom wall, but it would fold in half to put away. My mom let us use it to play. We would draw the streets and everything on there and then use Matchbox Cars, Playmobil, Strawberry Shortcake…The ideas were endless!! We truly had so much more fun than kids do these days!!

— Tie

Charity 0 / Melanie 1

4. PF Changs or Hibashi Grill?

Melanie – No fair! That’s an impossible choice for me…

Charity – No way. The magical chefs at a Hibashi Grill have to win that one! They throw eggs in their hat, make volcanoes out of onions and numerous other exciting shenanigans.

— I am taking it!

Charity 1 / Melanie 1

5. What is the name of the 9th president of the United States (no cheating!!)

Melanie – Trying to remember the “President Song” but now “Let It Go” is stuck in my head. Harrison? Polk? Can you just tell me who it is and I’ll write a novel about him? 🙂

Charity – I am so happy right now!! I am totally going to hold you to that! A NOVEL ABOUT….I have no idea! HAHAHA!

Looking it up…*drum roll*

William Henry Harrison!!! Can’t wait to read that book 😉

— Melanie is writing a book about ol’ President Harrison! WOOT WOOT!

Charity 1 / Melanie 2

6. Most embarrassing song that you love?

Melanie – “Never Gonna Give You Up” (Rick Astley)

Wow—that is kinda embarrassing.

Charity – You know what? I almost died laughing when I watched the video. I grew up on that song, but I never saw the video until today!! That voice can NOT actually be coming out of that little man!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

I don’t even know…Ok, let me think of my most embarrassing. OH! I GOT IT!! I love this song!!!

Shut up. It’s a happy song.

— I am WAY MORE of a loser than you!! HAHAHAHAHA

Charity 1 / Melanie 3

7. Have you ever been to the Empire State Building?

Melanie – I’ve climbed all the steps up to the Statue of Liberty (and have the pictures to prove it), but I don’t think I’ve made it to the Empire State Building on the few times I’ve been to New York. I should remember the Empire State Building, shouldn’t I?

Charity – Same here!! What in the world??

— Tie

Charity 1 / Melanie 3

8. When you think of the Empire State Building, do you think of Sleepless in Seattle or Elf?

Melanie – Sleepless in Seattle. Sigh…

Charity – hmmm… Nope. Elf. It’s just too darn funny.

— Taking it because IT’S SO FUNNY!

Charity 2 / Melanie 3

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

Melanie – God often speaks a story into my heart, and I want to be faithful in communicating that story to the best of my ability. I’m completely aware that any time one of these stories touches someone else’s heart that it is God—not me—speaking to the reader. In a sense, writing fiction is a form of worship for me. The glory for any success in that area goes directly to Him.

Charity – Perfect.

— God wins!!

Charity 2 / Melanie 3

10. What’s the worst pet name you have heard?

Melanie – Sir Pawface & Miss Meowsie (you don’t have cats by those names, do you?!?)

Charity – ha! No, nope. I don’t have any pets. whew. Those are horrible. The only one that I can think of that’s really bad is my sister’s cat. Her son named it “Carl” because he knew that my sister and I can’t say that name! It’s so hard!! Carl. Rural. Those are really hard words to say! HA!

— You definitely get it. Carl’s only bad because I can’t say it.

Final:

Charity 2 / Melanie 4

Lost again!

Thank you, Melanie! So fun 🙂

Guess what?! GIVEAWAY TIME!!! Melanie is so awesome! She is giving away a copy of her new release!! Oh my gosh! I am so excited to read this next week!!!

Just head on over to a Rafflecopter giveaway and start entering!

Good Luck!!

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

** Entries will be checked. Falsified will not be eligible.

Face-Off with JoAnn Durgin!!

Published on May 19, 2015May 19, 2015 by aTransParentMom24 Comments

Author of many, many highly rated books, JoAnn is IN THE HIZZY!!! 🙂

JoAnn Durgin is the author of the beloved contemporary Christian romance series, The Lewis Legacy Series: Awakening, Second Time Around, Twin Hearts, Daydreams, and Moonbeams, as well as Prelude, Prequel to The Lewis Legacy Series. JoAnn is also the author of the Amazon bestselling Catching Serenity and Heart’s Design, as well as novellas and short novels including Love So Amazing (The Wondrous Love Series, Book 1), Echoes of Edinburgh and the popular Starlight Christmas Series: Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, Starlight, Star Bright and Sleigh Ride Together with You.

She loves to hear from her readers! Please feel free to contact her:

www.joanndurgin.com or www.facebook.com/authorjoanndurgin

Check out some of these great box set deals!!

There is also this wonderful set of 38 short, love stories!! Make sure to check this one out!!!

Another one that caught my eye was Love So Amazing.

Links are in the pics. Shall we play now?

The rules are simple. I ask JoAnn 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 dived off a high diving board?

JoAnn – When I was a kid, one of my favorite summer activities was swimming. My mom called me a fish. I would dive off the low board all the time but the high diving board…no way! Walking to the end and peeking over the edge? Scared. Me. To. Death. I only remember having the courage to jump off it once (I was about eight). I think it was something about being up so high (I’m height-challenged) and all that open air that terrified me. Now, what I really found fun? Strapping on goggles and picking up the spare change that had fallen out of the guys’ swim trunks onto the bottom of the pool. Then I’d take all my change and go buy Sweet Tarts at the snack bar. Worked like a charm every time!

Charity – Nice!!! Now, you were a very clever girl!! I have gone off of a high dive. I am also “height challenged”, but water is my element. I could float and read a book or take a nap. It is literally impossible to sink me. haha. However, ask me to dive off of one now? No. Way.

— I get that one because I DID dive off!!

Charity 1 / JoAnn 0

2. Do you prefer Sweet Tea or Un-Sweet Tea?

JoAnn – Sweet, but my absolute favorite is half-lemonade, half-sweet tea (a/k/a an Arnold Palmer). Perfect combination!

Charity – Learn something new every day! I didn’t know what an Arnold Palmer is! Now I do…

I am going with Sweet Tea, but I’ll take it either way!! Yum.

— Knowledge is Power!

Charity 1 / JoAnn 1

3. Ever lost all your food in a freezer death?

JoAnn – Can’t say that I have. At least not to my recollection. However, I’ve lost food due to death by power outages. Sad times, but we made it through somehow.

Charity – haha. Made it through somehow. ha!

We lost all our food last year. When we got home from vacation, bam. Freezer dead. So awful!! Smelly and gross.

— ME!!!

Charity 2 / JoAnn 1

4. What is the closest you’ve ever been to a natural disaster?

JoAnna – I remember waking up from a nap when I was in high school and hearing that a tornado had cleared out trees in a nearby park and ripped off the roof of a sports arena (Louisville, Kentucky). When we lived in California, I was thrown against the wall by an earthquake in our daughter’s nursery. And there was an earthquake centered directly beneath the Rose Bowl stadium on my 30^th birthday. I thought, “Here we go…I turn 30 and it’s all over!” When I taught Sunday school in the Boston area (we’ve lived a lot of places), I once asked my third/fourth grade students to name a natural disaster. A little boy raised his hand, waving it with excitement, saying, “I know! I know! The Big Dig!” The Big Dig was a massive construction project that lasted for years in downtown Boston (for all I know it’s still in progress). Because of the traffic nightmares, it was considered a natural disaster by many.

Charity – Oh my word! haha. The Big Dig! We have hurricanes all the time where I live. I think that you wiped the floor with me though?

— Being thrown against a wall? THE BIG DIG??!!!

Charity 2 / JoAnn 2

5. List of your top 5 favorite cheeses?

JoAnn – What a fun question! Hmm…I’d have to say American (boring, I know, but I’m not real adventurous when it comes to my food choices), Cheddar, Provolone, Monterey Jack (what a funny name, huh?), and—I can’t believe I’m going to name this one (something a couple of years ago I would never have said)—Bleu/Blue cheese. I’ve developed a certain and inexplicable fondness for that last one. But I still won’t go near liver or beets.

Charity – Girl, you are cracking me up!! Monterey Jack is the dumbest name ever for a cheese. What in the world?! And I am totally with you on the liver and beets. Barf.

5.Mexican
4. Cheddar
3. Mozzarella
2. Cranberry/Goat
1. PepperJack

— Tie

Charity 2 / JoAnn 2

6. Could you last in an Amish lifestyle for a month?

JoAnn – No. A couple of days is probably as long as I’d last. While I admire certain things about the Amish lifestyle, I’m too attached to my electrical appliances, Kindle included. But nothing smells better than laundry dried on the clothesline. We used to live in the Philly area (told you we lived in a lot of places; my hubby was a pastor), and we loved taking day trips to the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, area. And Hershey? Fabulous place to visit!

Charity – Hershey and Lancaster are among the most BEAUTIFUL places I’ve ever been. It is so luscious and green! ❤

I couldn’t do it. It is so ideal to live a simple life, but I would have to REALLY know God was calling me to do that. Whew…

–Tie

Charity 2 / JoAnn 2

7. How good are you at juggling?

JoAnn – Depends. If you mean “traditional” juggling, I’ve never tried it. I wrote a scene about my hero Harrison (“Harry”) juggling apples at an outdoor farmers’ market in Edinburgh, Scotland (at the base of Edinburgh Castle) in my book, Echoes of Edinburgh. On my website, I have a photo of me juggling peaches (the peach is the favorite fruit of my core character, Sam Lewis, in my Lewis Legacy Series). Insider secret: that’s the wonder of modern photography (there was only one peach…shhh…). If it had been more than one peach, there would have been a few smashed peaches on the ground! Otherwise, I’m very good at juggling, i.e., multi-tasking. I like to believe I’m somewhat proficient and talented in that area (like most wives and mothers).

Charity – Nice!! I can’t juggle at all. Anything.

— The amazing peach juggler!!

Charity 2 / JoAnn 3

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

JoAnn – My personal goal is to live my faith and to hopefully see it reflected in the lives of my three children. The theme scripture verse in my life and writing is Matthew 5:16, In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. My goal in writing what I like to call “contemporary Christian romantic adventures” is to present characters—flawed in their humanity—who strive their best to live God-honoring lives. I simply can’t write a book without a Christian message as an integral part of the storyline. I like to believe I accomplish this not by being preachy but by writing about people where faith is so intrinsic in their lives that it’s natural, not forced. My books are very romantic but realistic, and I add the element of humor. Life can be hard, and I want to make people laugh, make them cry, and make them think. I’m not a writer where critics will say, “It seems as though the Christian element was added in order to qualify it as a Christian book.” I’ve given away a lot of books free (more than 50,000 with two books in the past month alone). Yes, it’s smart marketing, but it’s also my ministry in getting solid Christian fiction into the hands of those who might never read a Christian book otherwise. In the last year, I transitioned from my full-time paralegal position to being a full-time author! I’m living the dream, and I am blessed.

Charity – So awesome!!! I love it!

— God wins!!!

Charity 2 / JoAnn 3

9. Favorite crafty thing you have ever made?

JoAnn – I used to cross-stitch all the time. Perhaps my favorite is a Christmas scene, and I leave it on my family room wall year-round. I remember working on that canvas at a Bible conference in Erie, PA, the summer that I was pregnant with our second daughter, Chelsea (who just gave us our first grandbaby – darling Amelia Grace!). I was so hot, humid, and miserable, but that piece kept me sane (although such intricate needlework would drive some crazy). The only piece I ever did with seed beads and gold filigree floss, it is an heirloom piece.

Charity – Wow! So pretty. I bet that took forever!

I think my favorite would be the iPad case I made.

— Tie

Charity 2 / JoAnn 3

10. Are you good enough at geography that you could spin the globe, put your finger on an unmarked spot and know what continent, country and state/region?

JoAnn – Depends on what area of the world. The Asian or Eastern European countries? Not so much. I hope there’s not going to be a test (she says, cringing). I’d rather visit countries than be able to point them out on a map. The countries of the European Continent are my favorite travel destinations. I can find and point out Italy (my personal favorite) in a heartbeat! From our days of studying with our three children, I could probably name all the states (and capitals). Maybe I should try that again to see how well I do!

Charity – No Way.

— You get it!

Final:

Charity 2 / JoAnn 4

once again…

Thanks, JoAnn! What a blast! You had me cracking up over and over again!!!

Ok, Guess what, guys??!! JoAnn is giving away WINNER’S CHOICE of ANY of her novels!!!! This is an AMAZING offer!!

Just head on over to a Rafflecopter giveaway and start entering!! Woot Woot

A couple of options?

*U.S. Rez only UNLESS you want the e-book version

**All entries will be checked. Any falsified don’t count!!

Face-Off with Anna Weaver!!

Published on April 9, 2015April 9, 2015 by aTransParentMom5 Comments

Anna is a super fun author that traveled the world living in an RV with her FAMILY OF 9!!! Can’t wait for you to see what she has to say about that. Review later today!!

Link is in the pic, so check it out!!!

But for now, WE PLAY!!!

The rules are simple. I ask Anna 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 visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Anna – I’d love to visit the Caribbean islands someday, preferably on a cruise. 🙂 Ooh, or Italy or Greece or Ireland…

Charity – OMGosh. Take. Me. With. You. Sounds like we are on the same page!!! Greece is my DREAM vaca!!!! The others you named are right up there. England trumps Ireland though. You know, Jane Austen and all…

— Tie because GREAT MINDS…

Charity 0 / Anna 0

2. What’s your favorite period of history?

Anna – I’m a fan of most periods of history, especially American history. I love reading novels set in the Wild West, the glamourous 20s, the Civil War, and WW1 and 2, just to name a few. I feel like I always learn something by the time the story is over.

Charity – I hear ya! I love Revolutionary War, Civil War, American History, and I love English History too! I can’t handle WW2. So horrific…. :,-(

— Harumph. Tie again!

Charity 0 / Anna 0
BORRRRIIIINNNGGGG!!!

3. Funniest road trip story?

Anna – My family and I had some crazy times on the road, but one time that immediately comes to mind was the time (many years ago now) that one of my brothers was flirting and waving at a carfull of college girls during a road trip. After several moments of this, they wrote a phone number on a piece of paper and held it up when they passed by. My brother finally worked up the nerve to call… and it was the Osteoporosis hotline number. We all had a good laugh at that one.

Charity – OMGosh. That is AMAZING!!! I bet he has never heard the end of it!! I wouldn’t ever let that one go if it happened to my brother (: ha ha ha

I just remember when we were growing up (in the 80’s), there were no rules, so we had a “buggy van” (Otherwise known as VW van) and my parents would take out all the seats in the back and put down mattresses for us. It was AMAZING!!! I am so sad my kids can’t experience that kind of travel. Now they have to be in a car seat until they are 8!!!!

One time, we were riding in the “buggy van” and it broke down a couple hours from home. We didn’t have a lot of money, so my dad made some phone calls and someone from church had a friend that lived in the area…we stayed with the complete strangers overnight When I think about it, it is really kind of cool. That’s what Christianity is supposed to look like. It’s still weird though.

— Fake Phone Number wins every time!!!

Charity – / Anna 1

4. Do you go Black Friday shopping?

Anna – And get trampled to death by stampeding parents? Are you crazy?!

Charity – Ha!! OMgosh. My husband and I do Black Friday EVERY YEAR! It’s our favorite day of the year! We plan it out for months and months. As the ads leak, we are eating them up like candy!!!!!! There are many tricks to it…If you know which places price match, they aren’t ever sold out and you can snatch stuff up easily!! Also, another secret of the trade is at Kohls (and places like that). If you buy a $1 piece of jewelry, you can avoid the mile long line and check out at the jewelry counter (;

One year, we had a cart full of stuff at Target and this lady came over and started grabbing stuff OUT OF OUR CART!! It was soooo hilarious! We always go with the idea that we will just have fun and not get stressed. So, we knew it would be a fun story to tell. It’s always funny at Target because they just have to wear a red shirt and khaki pants. People always imitate the employees and tell people random things (like the wrong direction to find the product, or the wrong prices). It adds to the hilarity of it all. ** This year, Target got smart and made their employees wear “Black Friday Team Member t-shirts. BOOOOO!!!)

— I win!!!!!

Charity 1 / Anna 1

5. Favorite Ice Cream Flavor?

Anna- Depending on my mood, either chocolate chip cookie dough or good old chocolate! 🙂 (Yum, now I’ve gotta go raid my freezer!)

Charity – HA! I am not the friend you want to have around if you want to diet. I LOOOVEEEEE FOOOODDD!! Yum Yum.

Oddly enough, I’m not a huge fan of ice cream. Chocolate peanut butter would be my fav, but I don’t usually like it. I prefer CANDY CANDY CANDY. Chewy Sprees, Chewy Sweet-Tarts, Bumpy Jelly Beans (Oh. My. Gosh!!!)

— You got that one!! I didn’t even have a good answer for my own questions. dumb.

Charity 1 / Anna 2

6. Favorite place you have visited?

Anna – I’ve put a lot of thought into this question and I honestly can’t pick a favorite of the places I’ve been; each comes with its own special charm and allure. The Smoky mountains (especially in the fall), the Emerald Coast beaches, Lancaster, PA, Washington D.C., Georgia, and the list goes on and on. 🙂

Charity – Girl, I’ve got nothing on your travel!! I would love to see all the states!!

— Definitely a win for Anna

Charity 1 / Anna 3

7. How do you bring God the most glory in your life?

Anna – That’s an excellent question. There are many answers I could give, like leading worship on Sunday mornings at the chapel on base or through my writing. But honestly, most of it is probably in the little, day-to-day interactions with people, in the things that don’t seem that important at the time.

Charity – I love that answer! You are so right. It is in the little day-to-day things.

— God Wins

Charity 1 / Anna 3

8. How did you meet your husband?

Anna – I met my husband at a little church in Indiana 2 weeks before he left for Air Force Basic Training. Both of us had been asked to sing there. He almost left early and my family and I got lost and almost didn’t make it, but God obviously had other plans. We had a long-distance relationship for 4 years while he was in the military and I traveled with my family’s band. Actually, we just celebrated our 1-year anniversary on April 4th. 🙂

Charity – So sweet! God is insanely sovereign. I never get tired of hearing about His sovereignty!! (April 4th is my sis’s birthday! woot!!)

Ok, so my hubby…ha ha. I got saved when I was 25 year old. I was a single mom and had started going to church. Still immature, (but I haven’t changed much! ha ha) I saw this guy walk in and I said to my best friend, “Look at that hot slab of meat!”. Needless to say, he was terrified of me. He had just gotten saved too and saved from a life of drugs, jail and a horrible lifestyle. He saw me as someone that could easily pull him back down since I was so new to God. He would try to avoid me every time he saw me. He would get really nervous when he saw me coming because he didn’t want to hurt my feelings. He had just moved here from the Chicago area and didn’t know anyone. I was “Miss Perky” and kept inviting him to hang out. He finally got bored enough after a year! lol 🙂 The rest was history. The first time we hung out, we spent HOURS just walking around downtown area of Norfolk, VA talking about all God had done and changed in our lives. It was amazing.

We never looked back

— I’m taking that one!! My husband hated me when we met and I STILL GOT THAT HOT SLAB OF MEAT! (;

Charity 2 / Anna 3

9. What’s your favorite State?

Anna – Florida! I’ve been a fan of Florida since I was a little girl and we would visit my grandmother in Orlando every year. If it was up to me, I’d never leave. (knocks on wood)

Charity – I love my state (Virginia), but I absolutely love Kentucky and Nevada. ❤ Both are sooo beautiful (and opposite!!)

— tie!

Charity 2 / Anna 3

10. Are you a Summer Beach girl, or a Snowy Winter girl?

Anna – I am definitely a Summer Beach girl, especially since I moved to Panama City last year. I hate cold weather with a passion, wear flip flops year round, and I have to have my weekly beach fix or I get cranky!

Charity – Ohhhh… I do love my flip-flops, but I also love Virginia. We actually get all 4 seasons and I LOVE it. Besides, winter clothes hide my fat better!! (although, Fall is my favorite time of year!! So beautiful and holidays are in the air…)

— Tie?

Charity 2 / Anna 3

11. Favorite band/singer?

Anna – Is it lame to say “My husband!”? He plays the piano and has such a beautiful voice… I could listen to him for hours. Sometimes in the evenings, he will play and sing while I’m writing/reading and it’s absolute bliss. 🙂

Charity – ahhh.. Now look what you did there! I can’t answer that in any way that would win. pssshhhhhh

— Anna. That’s how it’s done.

Charity 2 / Anna 4

12. Have you ever competed in one of those things where if you eat a GINORMOUS 30lb burger you get it for free and your pic on the wall (or something like that)?

Anna – LOL No, but that’s just because I know I’d never make it to the wall. I have a pretty small stomach so I’d probably get a maybe a quarter of it down, then be sick and still have to pay full-price. I’ve always admired the people who could eat like that, though.

Charity – That makes me want to barf even thinking about it!!!! It would be so fun to watch. You would feel sick watching, but it would be impossible to look away!!!

Final:
Charity 2 / Anna 4

Again.

Thanks, so much, Anna!! That was a lot of fun (: Your answers had me cracking up!!!

Guess what?! I bet you did!! ANNA IS GIVING AWAY A COPY OF HER BOOK!! WOOT WOOT!

Believe me, this is a FUN read!! Just check out a Rafflecopter giveaway and enter away!!! It’s reader’s choice for a Paperback or an e-book.

*Remember, all entries are checked and any falsified will get disqualified.

** US Only for Paperback or ANYONE can pick the e-book!!

Jesus Without Borders: What Planes, Trains, & Rickshaws Taught Me About Jesus

Published on March 31, 2015 by aTransParentMomLeave a comment

by Chad Gibbs

Traveling all over the world so you can “research how people worship” is very clever. Well played, Chad! Well played.

This book had me hooked from the beginning. It is always interesting to see how other cultures worship God and live their lives. In America, for some reason, we always think we are the professionals of everything. However, Christianity has been practiced for years in other countries long before the good ol’ U.S. of A. ever existed.

Chad’s witty humor (yes, actually laughing out loud while reading a book is not very cool…I know), honesty and writing style have you “whipping through” this book. You’ll enjoy flipping the pages as well as learning a lot of new things about the world around us** (**Yes, there is a world outside of the Bible Belt of America).

5 Solid Stars! Pick it up for that friend of yours that loves travel, culture and a good laugh here and there. (Link is in the pic above). Thanks, netgalley and Chad Gibbs, for a copy of this book! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!

Guess what?? Chad is giving away 3 SIGNED COPIES of his new book! Click on this a Rafflecopter giveaway to win a copy!!

Remember, there are only two mandatory entries. The rest are just extras!! All entries will be checked and any falsified entries will be disqualified.

Good luck!!!

And for more fun, check out our awesome face-off. Want to find out if “Death by Skydiver squashing him” will be on his obits? How long between dentist visits?? War Eagle? What’s that?!

A Year of Living Prayerfully – How a Curious Traveler Met the Pope, Walked on Coals, Danced with Rabbies, and REVIVED HIS PRAYER LIFE

Published on March 27, 2015 by aTransParentMomLeave a comment

by Jared Brock

From the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, to the “Men’s Only” Island in Greece, with a stop at the Westboro crazies, Jared went around the world. These are only a few of the destinations that he visited in his year of learning to pray. Oh yeah, lunch with the Pope? Wha???

His great wit, charismatic personality, VERY PATIENT wife, and desire to learn new things leads him on a once in a lifetime journey that will keep you turning the pages. Through it all, he is seeking the different ways that people pray and worship God through different “Bible believing” sects/denominations/whatever you want to call it.

It was a really fun book with so much information. Loved it. Would definitely recommend!! Link is in the pic.

Thank you, Tyndale House, for this awesome read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!