Book Review: Spring for Susannah

I am reviewing this book for Litfuse Publicity Group

No additional compensation was received.

Book Description

Booklist says, "Inspired by [folk] lyrics, Richmond arrives on the inspirational fiction scene with a moving debut novel. Readers will be filled with hope that Susannah will learn the true meaning of love. Highly recommended where inspiring, romantic historical fiction is in demand."

Hundreds of miles from home, Susannah faces an uncertain future as a mail-order bride on the untamed Dakota prairie.

When her parents die suddenly, and no suitors call, Susannah resigns herself to the only option available: becoming a mail-order bride. Agreeing to marry her pastor's brother, Jesse, Susannah leaves the only home she's ever known for the untamed frontier of the Dakota Territory.

Her new husband is more loving and patient with her than she believes she deserves. Still, there is also a wildness to him that mirrors the wilderness surrounding them. And Susannah finds herself constantly on edge. But Jesse's confidence in her-and his faith in God's perfect plan-slowly begin to chip away at the wall she hides behind.

When she miscarries in the brutal Dakota winter, Susannah's fledgling faith in herself and in God begins to crumble. Still, Jesse's love is unwavering. Just when it seems like winter will never end, Susannah finally sees the first tentative evidence of spring. And with it, the realization that more than the landscape has changed.

She looks to the future with a renewed heart. Yet in her wildest dreams, she couldn't predict all that awaits her.

My Review

I was hooked as soon as I started reading. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. What a wonderful summer read.  I laughed with Susannah and cried with her too as she lost her child and began to question her faith. I went through a time like this not to long ago. I also love the way her husband let her fill  her calling and didn't force her to be a prim and proper woman.  Catherine Richmond did a wonderful job of describing the Dakota  territory. I felt like I was there. I wish the author would have shared which song the book is based on.  The sudden twist in the plot was unexpected and surprising but it all worked out well. I can't wait to read the next book by Catherine Richmond.

The Author 

Catherine Richmond was focused on her career as an occupational therapist till a special song planted a story idea in her mind. That idea would ultimately become Spring for Susannah, her first novel. She is also a founder and moderator of Nebraska Novelist critique group and lives in Nebraska with her husband.

For more about Catherine, please visit www.catherinerichmond.com.  

Link to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/Spring-Susannah-Catherine-Richmond/dp/1595549242?ie=UTF8&tag=sprightly-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969

To celebrate her debut novel, Catherine and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, have teamed up to give away a Spring For Susannah Prize Package worth over $150!

One grand prize winner will receive:

* A brand new Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Screen

* Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond (for KINDLE)

To enter just click one of the icons below and then tell your friends! But hurry, giveaway ends on June 27th. Winner will be announced on Tuesday, June 28th at 5 PM (6PM MST, 7PM CST, & 8PM EST) during Catherine's Spring for Susannah Book Club Party on Facebook! Catherine is rustling up some fun for the party - she'll be chatting about the story behind her novel, hosting a book club chat,  testing your mail-order bride trivia skills, and giving away some GREAT prizes! Don't miss the fun and tell your friends!

Udi's Gluten Free Bread Review

This post is purely my opinion of Udii's Gluten Free bread. No compensation was recieved. 

At Udi’s Gluten Free Foods, our artisan bakers are devoted to creating breads and pastries that look and taste like traditional baked goods. We bake to share—in flavor, in nutrition and in happiness. Particularly the happiness our fans express when tasting our gluten-free baked goods for the first time. All of our delicious products are baked daily in our 100% dedicated gluten-free facility located in Denver, Colorado.

If you want gluten free baked goods that don't taste "gluten free" than this is the bread for you! :)They have a variety of baked good available for your tasting pleasure from bread , to cookies, to granola even cinnamon rolls and much much more.
I recently noticed Udi's at my local grocery store. I didn't realize what they were at first. I just happened to be walking through the bakery section headed to the deli when I saw them. I was immediatley excited when I saw the package. I had heard from other gluten free bloggers that Udi's was the penical of gluten free products. I was a little bit hestant thought because so many gluten free products are dry and tasteless. I bought the Double Chocolate Muffins

I tried the muffins when I got home. At first I was disappointed. The muffin was very crumbly and made a mess everywhere. It was also dry. I felt cheated. After all the hype I couldn't believe it. I decided to give it one more try though. This time I bought the blueberry muffins. I'm so glad that I did. They were awesome! So rich, most and full of flavor! They were so tastey that I ate two of them at one time. I haven't have a blueberry muffin that tastey since I've gone gluten free two years ago! Thank you Udi's! I can wait to taste more of your wonderful products.

To find out more about Udi's gluten free foods click here. One their website they have recipes, a place to purchase Udi's online and you can even get a dollar off coupon. Enjoy!

Top 10 music List

I'm liking up with Beth over at Beth: A Work In Progress for her Thursday Top Ten. This week her Top Ten is Music. Here's my Top Ten Music. Click on the link to watch the YouTube video


1. Mandisa-Good Morning! 


2. Laura Story- Blessings

3.  Francesca Battistelli-Beautiful

4. Jamie Grace Hold me (featuring TobyMac)

5. Adele- Rolling in the Deep

6.Heather Williams-Hallelujah

7,. My Chemical Romance-Sing

8. Mary Mary -Shackles

9. Jennifer Lopez-On the Floor

10. Zac Brown Band-Toes


What is your Top Ten Music?

Pinterest

My friends have been after me for several weeks to check out Pinterest. Well finally I checked it out and I'm not sure what I think about it yet. For those of you who don't know what Pinterest is the website describes its self as "
Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.
Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests."

Well I have been on it for a couple of weeks now and here are my observations. 

1. Love all the cool pictures and ideas!

2.. Great way for me to pick up blog post ideas. 

3. Like Facebook but with pictures. You can like a picture as well as, follow, unfollow, and comment

4. Total time waster for me. I could spend all day Oohing and Ahhing all the lovely pictures they have.

I am definitely going to stay with Pinterest. I love all the great pictures and ideas. However, I am going to have to limit my time on there to get anything done. 

If you like to join Pinterest just send me a message at carolscorner727@hotmail.com and put Pinterest in the subject line and I'll be happy to send you an invite. 

Words to Live by Volume 1

I saw a wonderful idea and segment on a friends blog and I’m gonna take it and tweak it a little bit. It’s called words to live by. I’ll post quotes on Monday that are really meaningful to me. I hope you enjoy. I’d love to know what you think!