Jeff's Journey

A Century Turns: New Hopes, New Fears by William Bennett was a complimentary copy provided by Thomas Nelson to me. It is an informational book about different events that occured over the last 20 years or so.  This is the first book of William Bennett’s that I have read and I found it quite enlightening from his point of view on events that have heavily impacted and changed the current and future outlooks on our country and world. I am not political by any means, but love to read about how the different party system has been portrayed in the media and how Republicans and Democrats have influenced and will influence our country.

This book really made me think about our history as a country and how things have changed over these last 20 years.  His views are listed as side notes in the text, but he gives a fairly unbiased account of his encounters with President Bush and his strong opinions about President Obamas positions on issues.

I do not have have a strong political mind or views, but this book was a very good read and allowed me to be on the inside on lots of things that happened and his views on how they changed our country.

In her first book, Trish Ryan chronicled the ways in which finding faith lead her to the happily-ever-after ending that had eluded her for so long. Only it wasn’t an ending. It was a beginning.

In A MAZE OF GRACE, Ryan picks up where she left off, sharing the early years of her marriage, and the challenges that both shaped and startled her: temptations regarding fidelity, the anxiety of shifting body image, the awkward nature of following Jesus in a decidedly secular family and city, and struggles (depression, trying to conceive) that made her wonder if God had lost her file.

With appealing candor, Ryan sweeps the reader into her life and ponders questions and issues that we all face, dropping nuggets of wisdom along the way that are sure to inspire, encourage and help readers from all walks of life.

Thanks to Hachette Book Group USA for the giveaway I have 3 COPIES to giveaway!

First Entry
1. Leave a comment below with an email or way to contact you if you win.

Bonus Entries

2. Follow me on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment. Include @jeffintennessee in the tweet.

3. Blog about the giveaway and leave another comment with the link to the post.

4. WANT 3 ENTRIES?? Email three or more friends about the giveaway, cc the email to me at jeffintennessee at gmail dot com and leave another comment here.

This contest will end on Monday, July 19, 2010 at 8:00 pm, central time. I will use random.org to select three lucky winners and contact via email. (If winner does not respond in 48 hours, I will pick another.) U.S. and Canada entries only and no PO boxes. Good luck and thanks for entering and reading my blog!!!

This book will be sent to you directly by the publisher.

Just got finished with Book 9 in the Sookie Stackhouse Series named “Dead and Gone”.

This series from Charlaine Harris have been such a great read.  This book does not disappoint either. This might have been the fastest I ever actually read an entire book, as the book was thrilling and ever time I stopped I was craving so much more.  Sookie’s relationships are intense in this installment, but there is a lack of commitment to where her loyalties lie and makes for some confusion in her thought process. Overall this story tied up some issues and even created some bigger ones that will hopefully be explained in the next book….. Which is next on my list to read now!

Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy’s closest friends for what will be revealed.

Once again, Hilderbrand masterfully weaves an intense tale of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of endless summer island life.

Thanks to Hachette Book Group USA for the giveaway I have 3 COPIES to giveaway!

First Entry
1. Leave a comment below with an email or way to contact you if you win.

Bonus Entries

2. Follow me on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment. Include @jeffintennessee in the tweet.

3. Blog about the giveaway and leave another comment with the link to the post.

4. WANT 3 ENTRIES?? Email three or more friends about the giveaway, cc the email to me at jeffintennessee at gmail dot com and leave another comment here.

This contest will end on Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 8:00 pm, central time. I will use random.org to select three lucky winners and contact via email. (If winner does not respond in 48 hours, I will pick another.) U.S. and Canada entries only and no PO boxes. Good luck and thanks for entering and reading my blog!!!

This book will be sent to you directly by the publisher.

In LIVE LONG, FINISH STRONG, Gloria Copeland presents a scripturally sound program to help readers claim the Bible promise of a long and blessed life . . . and a glorious death by “divine appointment.” Gloria believes the Bible teaches that God desires for every Christian to live healthily beyond 100. In this book, Gloria reveals that the secret to finding this “Bible-based fountain of youth” is in daily receiving by faith and obedience the life-giving Word of God and allowing it to energize and renew our bodies.

Thanks to Hachette Book Group USA for the giveaway I have 3 COPIES to giveaway!

First Entry
1. Leave a comment below with an email or way to contact you if you win.

Bonus Entries

2. Follow me on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment. Include @jeffintennessee in the tweet.

3. Blog about the giveaway and leave another comment with the link to the post.

4. WANT 3 ENTRIES?? Email three or more friends about the giveaway, cc the email to me at jeffintennessee at gmail dot com and leave another comment here.

This contest will end on Monday, May 24, 2010 at 11:00 pm, central time. I will use random.org to select three lucky winners and contact via email. (If winner does not respond in 48 hours, I will pick another.) U.S. and Canada entries only and no PO boxes. Good luck and thanks for entering and reading my blog!!!

This book will be sent to you directly by the publisher.

In GREEN LIKE GOD, Jonathan Merritt gently and insightfully observes that the bible has a lot to say about environmental problems like unclean water, material waste, over consumption, air pollution, and global warming. In fact, Jonathan writes that “in the book of Genesis, God went green and never looked back.” Relying heavily on scripture, Jonathan gives the case for green living, but not because it’s trendy and hip. Rather, it’s part of living rightly as a believer. It’s an act of obedience to our Creator-God.

GREEN LIKE GOD is at once practical, prescriptive, and conversational in tone. The author looks at a number of trends with tips to help the reader wade into the world of creation care living. An appendix includes suggestions of things we can do. In addition, the book includes interviews with everyday Christians to tell the story of the journey to environmental stewardship among people of faith.

This is the book that Christians are longing for and need today. Written for a new generation of Christians who are struggling with how to deal with the important issue of creation-care and green living, GREEN LIKE GOD is both highly relevant and theologically sound. It will have a profound impact on how Christians live and interact with the world today.

Thanks to Hachette Book Group USA for the giveaway I have 3 COPIES to giveaway!

First Entry
1. Leave a comment below with an email or way to contact you if you win.

Bonus Entries

2. Follow me on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment. Include @jeffintennessee in the tweet.

3. Blog about the giveaway and leave another comment with the link to the post.

4. WANT 3 ENTRIES?? Email three or more friends about the giveaway, cc the email to me at jeffintennessee at gmail dot com and leave another comment here.

This contest will end on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 2:00 pm, central time. I will use random.org to select three lucky winners and contact via email. (If winner does not respond in 48 hours, I will pick another.) U.S. and Canada entries only and no PO boxes. Good luck and thanks for entering and reading my blog!!!

This book will be sent to you directly by the publisher.

RIP Gidget- 1996-2010.

Although I never really “lived” with this dog, she was my mom’s pride and joy and was there with her through her cancer and was just a damn good dog.

From my Brother: “I took this picture several weeks ago when I was out to see Gidget. She played with her busted up purple ball all the way till the end. She even played this… See More morning after I had taken her on a long walk around the neighborhood. She had eggs and sausage this morning too! The vet told us this morning that if it were his dog, we would have put her down, so that made the decision for us. She went out of this world just like she came in, doing whatever she wanted. She’ll be missed by all.”

A view of LP Field across the Cumberland River. Look at the amazing devastation when the river crested at over 50 feet on May 3, 2010.

after photo by Alan Poizner

Separated by time

From his grandmother, Alex Cross has heard the story of his great uncle Abraham and his struggles for survival in the era of the Ku Klux Klan. Now, Alex passes the family tale along to his own children in a novel he’s written–a novel called Trial.

Connected by blood

As a lawyer in turn-of-the-century Washington D.C., Ben Corbett represents the toughest cases. Fighting against oppression and racism, he risks his family and his life in the process. When President Roosevelt asks Ben to return to his home town to investigate rumors of the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan there, he cannot refuse.

United by bravery

When he arrives in Eudora, Mississippi, Ben meets the wise Abraham Cross and his beautiful granddaughter, Moody. Ben enlists their help, and the two Crosses introduce him to the hidden side of the idyllic Southern town. Lynchings have become commonplace and residents of the town’s black quarter live in constant fear. Ben aims to break the reign of terror–but the truth of who is really behind it could break his heart. Written in the fearless voice of Detective Alex Cross, Alex Cross’s Trial is a gripping story of murder, love, and, above all, bravery.

Thanks to Hachette Book Group USA for the giveaway I have 3 COPIES to giveaway!

First Entry
1. Leave a comment below with an email or way to contact you if you win.

Bonus Entries

2. Follow me on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment. Include @jeffintennessee in the tweet.

3. Blog about the giveaway and leave another comment with the link to the post.

4. WANT 3 ENTRIES?? Email three or more friends about the giveaway, cc the email to me at jeffintennessee at gmail dot com and leave another comment here.

This contest will end on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 10:00 pm, central time. I will use random.org to select three lucky winners and contact via email. (If winner does not respond in 48 hours, I will pick another.) U.S. and Canada entries only and no PO boxes. Good luck and thanks for entering and reading my blog!!!

This book will be sent to you directly by the publisher.

Should We Fire God? Finding Hope in God When We Don’t Understand by Jim Pace

When the worst school shooting in history occurred, Pastor Jim Pace, a Virginia Tech alumnus, was front and center. Media, students, church members, and strangers asked him the same question: If God is loving, why doesn’t He stop disasters before they start? SHOULD WE FIRE GOD is Jim’s thoughtful, reasoned response to the idea that God isn’t doing His job very well. In conversational, nonpreachy prose, Jim explains why God allows pain and devastation to occur–and what the consequences would be if He didn’t.

Thanks to Hachette Book Group USA for the giveaway I have 3 COPIES to giveaway!

First Entry
1. Leave a comment below with an email or way to contact you if you win.

Bonus Entries

2. Follow me on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment. Include @jeffintennessee in the tweet.

3. Blog about the giveaway and leave another comment with the link to the post.

4. WANT 3 ENTRIES?? Email three or more friends about the giveaway, cc the email to me at jeffintennessee at gmail dot com and leave another comment here.

This contest will end on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 10:00 pm, central time. I will use random.org to select three lucky winners and contact via email. (If winner does not respond in 48 hours, I will pick another.) U.S. and Canada entries only and no PO boxes. Good luck and thanks for entering and reading my blog!!!

This book will be sent to you directly by the publisher.