We're Not Blended, We're Pureed

Combine:
One widowed mom with two sons.
One widowed dad with one son.
Blend for twenty second until right consistency.
But hit the wrong button, and this family is not blended--we're pureed!

So the question is, do you say it pure-AYED or pure-EED? I say it the first way but when I listened to Diana's radio interview on the book everyone was saying it the latter way. Must be a geographical thing.

But I digress.

I'm so excited to finally hold this book in my hands. It's not my baby, but it's the next best thing. I've watched this book from it's very first inception, through its edits, and cover designs, and finally, its production.

This book addresses a huge need out there for the growing number of blended families that find out it's not quite as easy as the Brady Bunch made it look and wonder how to navigate the minefield of problems blended families must face. Diana's practical experience, combined with co-writer Marty's professional experience, makes this book the perfect blend of ideas, wisdom, comfort, and hope for blended families.

Over 30 million children live with a stepparent in a blended family. Although each family has its unique set of circumstances, everyone faces similar challenges. This book asks if two families can ever learn to cohabitate in peace. With the help of God, the answer is yes.

Perfect for those who feel like they've turned into fairy-tale wicked stepparents, dating couples, newlyweds, pastors, and counselors. This book is a compilation of real-life experiences held together with humor and peppered with informative commentary.

Learn:
The pros and cons of changing your children's last names
How to deal with sibling rivalries
What to do when siblings try to play parents against each other
Why in-laws may resist accepting you or your children
Practical advice on discipline

Buy it here:


Get more info here (including a super cute book trailer you have to watch).

Read the first chapter here.

And you think bras are uncomfortable...

One of my favorite historical authors, Deeanne Gist, appeared in the Wall Street Journal this week showing off her underwear. Okay, her Victorian underwear. At a recent writers' conference, Romance Writers of America, she gave an demonstration on how a Victorian woman would have gotten dressed. It took over an hour. You can see the article and video here. And be grateful it doesn't take you that long.

A slideshow of the seminar with Deeanne putting on Victorian dress can be found here.

My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren

I'm so bummed I don't have a review to post of this book. I can't wait until I have some time to dive into it. In the meantime, you can read about it below, with a sample. And don't forget to enter the contests to win a night on the town!

About the book: My Foolish heart

Unknown to her tiny town of Deep Haven, Isadora Presley spends her nights as Miss Foolish Heart, the star host of a syndicated talk radio show. Millions tune in to hear her advice on dating and falling in love, unaware that she’s never really done either. Issy’s ratings soar when it seems she’s falling in love on-air with a caller. A caller she doesn’t realize lives right next door.

Caleb Knight served a tour of duty in Iraq and paid a steep price. The last thing he wants is pity, so he hides his disability and moves to Deep Haven to land his dream job as the high school football coach. When his beautiful neighbor catches his eye, in a moment of desperation he seeks advice from My Foolish Heart, the show that airs before his favorite sports broadcast.

Before he knows it, Caleb finds himself drawn to the host—and more confused than ever. Is his perfect love the woman on the radio . . . or the one next door?

Read an excerpt here.

About Susan: Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder ofwww.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)

A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at:www.susanmaywarren.com.

Buy the book.
Read what the reviewers
are saying here.

Win a Romantic Night on the Town from Miss Foolish Heart!



Win a Romantic Night on the Town from Miss Foolish Heart!


To celebrate this charming novel about a dating expert who's never had a date, Susan has
put together a romantic night on the town for one lucky couple. One grand prize winner
will receive a Miss Foolish Heart prize package worth over $200!

The winner of the Romantic Night on the Town Prize Pack will receive:

* A $100 Visa Gift Card (For Dinner)

* A $100 Gift Certificate to a Hyatt/Marriott Hotel

* The entire Deep Haven series

To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on
June 16th. The winner will be announced that evening during Susan’s Miss Foolish Heart
Party on Facebook! Susan will be chatting with guests, hosting a book club chat
about My Foolish Heart, testing your Deep Haven trivia skills, and giving away
tons of great stuff! (Gift certificates, books, donuts, and more!) Don't miss the
fun and BRING YOUR FRIENDS! 

Grand Rapids from a slightly different view

In case you've ever wanted to know what Grand Rapids looks like, here's a lipdub that does a great job of highlighting our downtown area. One of the things I like most about Grand Rapids is its cultural emphasis. Some of that comes through here. Overall, it's just fun. Take a look.

Those of us of a, um, certain age...

Can you remember the theme song to Eight is Enough? Were you afraid of mixing your Pop Rocks with, well, pop? Did you ever have a metal lunch box (Holly Hobby for me)? Then you might like a new book called Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes & Trends of the '70s & '80s by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper.
 
You can listen to an interview with her here. And bring back some fond memories that seem to go so perfectly with summer.

Calvin Grows Up?

You would have had to been reading this blog for a long time to realize how much I love Calvin and Hobbes. I also call my son Calvin on this blog, for reasons that may or may not be obvious. He basically is Calvin. See these posts for proof:

Peace on Earth?
Heard in the Hall
Day Two
Best Laid Plans and All That

I have the Complete Calvin and Hobbes Collection (and man is that heavy!), so I was curious to see what was up when I saw this post on NPR. Not bad, but it's probably better to preserve the mystique by not going there too often. Still, it felt a bit like visiting an old friend. Guess it's time to revisit the Complete Collection again.

Tea for Two by Trish Perry

Tea for Two by Trish Perry
Book two of the Perfect Blend series has the same luscious tea shoppe setting as Book 1. Warning, don't read this book if you're hungry! The descriptions of food made me want to dash for the kitchen more than once! The good news is there are recipes in the back for the spotlighted treats so you can recreate the experience on your own.

Trish Perry creates a fun cast of characters to go along with the yummy treats. And they're dealing with real-life issues, such as divorce, abandonment, and raising teen kids who are teetering on the edge of trouble.

Back Cover Copy
Counselor Tina Milano has been visiting Millicent’s Tea Shop regularly for the past several months. When Milly asks Tina if she can help a friend who needs a little advice with his children, she is eager to be of service. Tina feels God has blessed her in her career, and she loves serving the youth group at her church. But she has no idea the “friend” is the handsome farmer who provides Milly’s tea shop with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Zack Cooper is a single parent, doing his best to raise his teenage son and daughter on his own while taking care of a buys farm. When the kids get in minor scrapes with the law, Milly gently encourages Zack to give Tina a call before the teens land in even hotter water. At first Tina and Zack see the relationship in only a professional capacity, but soon everyone around them notices the luscious scent of romance in the air.

Available Now!