Titanic Giveaway Hop (Ends 4/14) WW

Titanic Giveaway Hop

April 8th to 14th

Featuring Books with 
Tragic Disasters & Epic Love Stories

Co-hosted by My Devotional Thoughts (that's me!)

I am so pleased to be a co-host--my first time doing this.  I won the opportunity to pick an event for this month, and with my voracious history appetite (that my readers will know from my segment "This Day in History"), I chose Titanic as the theme.  Why?  On April 10, 1912, the Titanic embarked on its maiden (and only) voyage.  On April 14, it began its swan song by crashing into an iceberg.  And by the 15th, it is a thing of the past.  Hence, this blog hop will feature books that center around disasters and epic love stories.  

I have been fascinated by Titanic since I was in elementary school when I did my first report on it.  I don't even know where I first heard of it.  I remember being the first to give my oral report on something that happened in the early 1900's, and this disaster just barely made it into the time frame we were given.  From that time on, I read books, and I watched documentaries.  A saw an old movie here or there.  And then the film came out in Hollywood, and to this date, I have never seen it.  Maybe I will one day, but I have heard mixed reviews on it.  What I did see was the Broadway musical, and I was absolutely floored!  Amazing!!  I saw an exhibit concerning the treasures of this amazing ship.  And I don't think I shall ever get over this horrendous tragedy.  It seems like there is always something more to learn.

As I consider what to feature, it's a hard choice.  I happen to be a strange person who sometimes likes a good sad ending.  In fact, if I feel the book should end with a sad or tragic ending, I get upset when it doesn't!  

So here are some offerings that somewhat fit in this category (click on the picture for my review on goodreads):

That should give you enough to get started.  I had forgotten about some of these books, and it was something to look at them again.  So are you wondering what my giveaway may be?  I am going to let two winners (international as long as Book Depository of Frishpond ships to you) pick a book, DVD, or CD that would fit the category.  All prizes must be $15 or less.  All you need to do is enter on the rafflecopter below by 9 P.M. Pacific time on April 14, and you are in to win!  And don't forget to hop on to the other blogs for more chances to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Titanic Giveaway Hop Sign Ups Are Now Open!

This is an epic moment for me.  I have participated in Kathy's hops over at I Am a Reader, Not a Writer for several years now.  Her book blog hops have been something that really helped get my blog going, and they continue to be something I join as often as I can.  

I happened to win a giveaway in which I got free advertising on her blog or the chance to be the co-host in one of her blog hops.  And guess what I chose!  I immediately went to work to find a theme.  And being the history person I am, I was so intrigued to discover that April 15 was the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  And the rest is history.  Kathy found the graphic, and now the sign-ups are open.

Read below so you know what will be expected.  

Titanic Giveaway Hop

April 8th to 14th

Featuring Books with 
Tragic Disasters & Epic Love Stories

Co-hosted by My Devotional Thoughts

Please be sure you have reviewed ALL my giveaway hop rules if you have not hopped with me recently. 
Giveaway Hop Rules can be found here:
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/p/giveaway-hop-rules.html


Hop Rules:

• You must feature a book with a tragic disaster or epic love story.
• This hop has a limit of 6 possible entries.  Only 1 can be mandatory and any other must be optional.  Be aware that many people do not have a twitter or facebook account.  If your mandatory entry requires to follow you on twitter or like you on facebook you are automatically excluding people who may want to enter.  Entries must be simple and be able to be done on one visit to your blog.
• Your blog & giveaway must be family friendly.  If you have steamy book covers in your header or sidebar you will be deleted from the linky.  I should be completely comfortable viewing your site with my husband or any one of my 5 children sitting by my side. If in doubt please ask.  I've been a little lax in the past but beginning with 2013 Hops I will be much more strict.
• Your giveaway must be specifically for the hop.
• If you are using rafflecopter... Set the rafflecopter to begin accepting entries on April 7th and to stop accepting entries on April 15th. Use caution when using weighted entries.  If you mark a task as being worth +10 that counts as 10 entries and will get you deleted from the linky list.  Please see these examples: (Correct Rafflecopter - Unacceptable Rafflecopter).
• All posts need to be up no later than 12:01 AM EST on April 8th.  Up to 24 hours early is fine.  10 minutes late is not. Once your post is live AND accepting entries please email me a direct link so I can update the linky.
•  3 STRIKES & YOU ARE OUT POLICY - If you sign up for this hop and then realize you can not post I need you to email me to let me know so I can remove you before this hop starts.  I'm starting a 3 strikes and you are out policy.  Meaning if you sign up for one of my hops and do not put a post up you get added to my list of bloggers who do not post. This is not a list you want to find yourself on.  If this happens 3 times you will not be allowed to participate in any of my hops.  I totally understand that life happens so if something comes up you can email me and ask to be removed before the hop starts.

Please put your shipping info in parenthesis following your blog name:  I would love as many of my friends to sign up as possible!  Even if you're not a book blogger, you can do this!

"Queen of the Waves" by Janice Thompson Book Review/Giveaway

Celebrate with Janice by entering to win a Kindle Fire!

 

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson
• Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 17th. Winner will be announced at the American Tapestries Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/18. Connect with authors Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson for an evening of book chat, trivia and fun! There will also be gift certificates, books, and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Queen of the Waves and Where the Trail Ends and join Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson on the evening of the October 18th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

{MORE ABOUT QUEEN OF THE WAVES}

When pampered Jacqueline Abington secretly elopes with the family gardener, she asks another woman to take her place on the much anticipated maiden voyage of the Titanic. Tessa Bowen hails from a poor corner of London but has been granted the opportunity of a lifetime—a ticket to sail to America aboard a famed vessel. But there’s a catch: she must assume Jacqueline’s identity. For the first time in her life, Tessa stays in luxurious quarters, dresses in elegant gowns, and dines with prestigious people. Then a wealthy American man takes an interest in her, and Tessa struggles to keep up the ruse as she begins falling for him. When tragedy strikes, the game is up, and two women’s lives are forever changed.

Order a copy here.

Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What could be better?  Reading a book that takes place aboard the Titanic with a wonderful Christian message.  And a little romance on the side!  This is my kind of book, and I absolutely loved it!  I have been fascinated with the Titanic for most of my life, and in light of the anniversary celebrated concerning this disaster just this year, this book could not be better-timed.  There were times I was so drawn into this book that I forgot where I was (which isn't good when you have a room full of students).

I was touched by the pathos of the story and the inspiration of the characters.  Tessa was absolutely captivating, and Jaquie certainly needed a "come-to-Jesus" meeting throughout most of the book.  I don't think she always lived in reality.  I loved seeing each character develop and be changed by the Lord, and there were even some things I hadn't considered about the sinking of this famous ship.  I really don't want to give it away, so I won't say any more about that.

The Christian message was woven into this story in expert fashion.  I can only hope that this author will choose to write a sequel because I would absolutely love to see what the characters did next.  Although the book has an obvious conclusion, there were still a few loose ends to tie up.  I am happy to report that profanity and sex scenes did not exist within this book, so it is a clean romance.  And the Christian message was appropriate and not overdone.

So if you just can't get enough of the Titanic, this is the book for you!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews

{MORE ABOUT JANICE THOMPSON}

Award-winning author Janice Thompson, who also writes under the name Janice Hanna, has published nearly eighty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more.

She formerly served as vice president of the Christian Authors Network and was named the 2008 Mentor of the Year by the American Christian Fiction Writers.

Thompson lives in Spring, Texas, near her four grown daughters and young grandchildren. She leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends and two mischievous dachshunds.

Readers can keep up with Janice Thompson by visiting janiceathompson.com, becoming a fan on Facebook or following her Twitter.

Find out more about Janice at http://janicethompson.com

https://www.facebook.com/JaniceHannaThompson

https://twitter.com/booksbyjanice

Follow the entire tour here.

This Day in History April 10, 1912

I probably don't need to say much of anything about this day's feature.  On this date in 1912, Titanic took off on its first (and what would be its last) voyage.  It is a great tragedy, as most of us know.  I have had a fascination with this tragedy since I was in sixth grade and had an opportunity to write a research paper on it.

In spite of the tragedy, there are great stories that have come out of it.  Of course, you have John Jacob Astor who went down with the ship as a hero.  He helped many get off the ship.  Then there is the story of the Strausses.  She refused to leave him when given the chance, and they went down with the ship together.  And they were the owners of Macy's!  There is always the story of Molly Brown who inspired the members of her lifeboat to not give up hope.  In some ways, I liken this ship to the Tower of Babel.  I think whenever we humans think we have built something that "rivals" our Lord, I think He does allow things to happen to sort of keep us in check.  This was the ship that was "unsinkable."  It was said that God Himself could not sink it.  While I don't believe that God caused the tragedy, He did allow it.  Just like He allowed the languages to be jumbled and confused at Babel.  Just my observation.   

I had heard about some memorial cruise, and that began yesterday.  I will post the video that talks about that.  

  http://www.reuters.com/video/2012/04/09/titanic-memorial-cruise-sets-sail?videoId=233014150&newsChannel=lifestyleMolt

And for more info, check out:

http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00504/Sea_pages/titanic.htm

http://www.answers.com/topic/titanic-large-image-1

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17649500

Blog Tour: By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer Book Review

Win an Unsinkable Titanic Prize Pack & RSVP for a Titanic Party!

Enter Today and Save the Date-4/10!

Celebrate the release of By the Light of the Silvery Moon with Tricia by entering her giveaway and RSVPing to her Titanic party.

One "unsinkable" winner will receive:

• Flip HD video Camera (Make your own dramatic saga!)
• Titanic movies from the ages {Titanic (1953) Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964), Titanic (1997)}
• Secrets of the Titanic (Get the facts from National Geographic.)
• And the Band Played On (Music Played on the Titanic.)
• By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer (Be swept away in this tale of love and courage.)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 9th. Winner will be announced at "Silvery Moon" Titanic Facebook Party on 4/10. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away books, gift certificates and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club). During the live chat Tricia will have a *special guest* join her. More details coming soon!

So grab your copy of By the Light of the Silvery Moon and join Tricia on the evening of the April 10th for a fun chat, trivia contest (How much do you know about the Titanic?) and lots of giveaways. 

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 10th!

About the book:

Amelia Gladstone's hopes are tied up in the Titanic--hopes for a reunion with her sister and an introduction to an admirer. But when she offers a spare ticket to a down-and-out young man, her fate is about to change.

Quentin Walpole is stunned when a sweet lady secures his passage to America--and even more surprised to find his wealthy father and older brother on board the ship. Suddenly Amelia finds herself caught between the attentions of two men, but who should she entrust her heart to? As the fateful night arrives, will Amelia lose everything to the icy waters?

By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I realized that this was historical fiction about the Titanic, I was ecstatic!  I have had a fascination with this great ship since I did a report on it back in sixth grade.  And with the 100th year anniversary, it could not be better timing.



I was immensely pleased with the research that the author did for this book.  She added in everything from the near collision when it set sail to the screams of the doomed passengers in the water.  For the first time, I understood why no one survived who was not in the lifeboat.  And I understood the precarious position of those lifeboats.  I know I may have heard it before, but suddenly it made sense.



I was enthralled by the story.  I was able to tell early on that one of the stories was an updated retelling of the Prodigal Son parable.  I loved the twist the author put in the story.



Amelia is a character that spoke to my heart--as did Quentin.  I am amazed at how God continues to use historical Chrisitan fiction to speak to my heart.  I have been blaming myself lately for the part I have played in my current domestic issue.  I have found myself apologizing over and over for a decision I made some 10 years ago that is making this current issue possible.  Well, I realized yesterday as I read that God orchestrated it all.  It was not something I pursued or sought after.  And God could have stopped it.  But He did not.  It happened, and even as I walk through my current pain, God has a purpose in it all.  Just as Amelia and Quentin learned.  How could the disaster of the Titanic been a part of God's plan?  We may never understand it in this life.  As an old song I know says: When you can't trust His hand, trust His heart.



I also loved the side note about John Astor.  I will not spoil it for the reader, but it was pure genius, in my opinion.



In short, if you love historical fiction romances, this is for you.  Yes, it has a strong Christian message, but it is woeven so seamlessly into the fabric of the story, I doubt it would truly bother anyone who is not a Christian.  It may convict you, but the story line is so strong that I will bet you will not want to put it down.



I was given a copy of this book inexchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated in any way, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.


View all my reviews

About Tricia: 

Tricia Goyer is the award winning author of thirty-two books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences and is the host of Living Inspired. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

More info: Living Inspired (http://toginet.com/shows/livinginspired) and www.triciagoyer.com.

Link to buy the book: http://www.triciagoyer.com/historicalfiction.html#ByTheLight 










Be sure to follow the entire book tour here.