"Ring the Bell" (movie review & giveaway)

"Disclosure of Material Connection: We received one or more of the products or services mentioned below for free in hope that we would mention it on this blog. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."



DVD $19.99

About Ring the Bell:     Ring The Bell shares the story of a slick, big city sports agent Rob Decker who seems to have it all. But on his latest mission to sign a high school baseball superstar, Rob becomes stranded in a small town where the simplicity of life—and the faith of the people—stand in stark contrast to his own fast-paced, win-at-all-costs mindset. Torn between these two worlds, will Rob have the courage to let faith transform his life? This heartwarming story of redemption is sure to entertain and inspire the whole family.

Ring The Bell features a host of well-known Christian music artists, such as Mark Hall along with his band Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Matthew West, all who play a role in this inspirational drama. Several former and current Major League Baseball all-stars are also featured in the film: ESPN analysts John Kruk and Rick Sutcliffe (a former Cy Young Award winner), along with Ben Zobrist.
 

This family-friendly movie was produced by Mark Miller, Beach Street Records' founder and Casting Crowns’ producer. Miller, who is also the lead singer and founder of country music group Sawyer Brown, co-wrote the script with Thomas Weber and Weber directed the production.

Review:  “Ring the Bell” is a good family movie.  It has a good storyline and is awesome in its clear presentation of the gospel.  While I enjoyed the movie, I did feel that it was a bit slow at times – not a whole lot of action.  The story centers around Rod Decker, the owner of a sports agency, who wants to sign a high school baseball player from the small town of Middletown to a pro baseball contract.  Upon arrival in Middletown, Rod discovers that the people there have a very different life from his city life and they seem far more content than he ever has.  He encounters a brother and sister team who have opened their home to troubled youth.  On the farm, there is a dinner bell that only gets chimed when a person has accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.  Rod sees something in these people that he knows he doesn’t have and wonders is it real. 

While there is not a lot of “action” in this movie, I really enjoyed “Ring the Bell” and can easily recommend it.  It is a family-friendly movie with absolutely no inappropriate language or situations.  So very refreshing to be able to sit down and watch with your family and children a movie that is clean. (rev. P.Howard)

GIVEAWAY: A giveaway copy has been provided on behalf of the producers and will be sent directly to one of Chat With Vera's readers who will be selected from entries in the Rafflecopter entry form below. Begins May 8 & ENDS May 20 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA address

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"When A Secret Kills" by Lynette Eason

ISBN:9780800720094
$14.99 Paperback

About the book: In the spine-tingling conclusion to her explosive Deadly Reunion series, Lynette Eason once again treats readers to a tale of secrets that need to be told and dangers that need to be faced.


Investigative reporter Jillian Carter knows it’s time to put the past to rest. She’s tired of looking over her shoulder, letting a killer go free. She’s no longer the scared kid who changed her name and disappeared. Now, no matter what the cost, Jillian must do what she is trained to do—ferret out the truth and expose it. Senator Frank Hoffman committed murder ten years ago—and Jillian watched it happen.

Didn’t she?

Not even the enigmatic and attractive Colton Brady, her ex-boyfriend and nephew of the killer, will be able to make her leave this alone. Get ready for a ride that will make you afraid to be home alone.

My thoughts: Exciting suspense. Secrets. Lynette Eason's When A Secret Kills brings it all to the table and you leave satiated but wanting more. After reading the second book in the Deadly Reunion Series: When A Heart Stops, I knew I wanted more. So when the opportunity to read When A Secret Kills came my way, I jumped at the chance. I just wish I had read book one in the series. (Maybe at a later date)

The story opens with Julian Carter returning to her hometown that she left 10 years prior.  She has disguised herself with straightened, dyed hair and colored contacts; but she soon finds out that she has not slipped in unaware. Someone tries to silence her with a deadly knife in the airport. She escapes, but soon has to share her secret with the one person she feels most unsafe sharing it with.

Danger and death seem to chase Julian at every turn and every moment. She fears for herself and those around her but believes and is determined to find a killer from 10 years prior.  For that, you see, is her secret.

Set in Columbia, SC, it doesn't read like a super sweet "Southern" novel. It reads like fast paced suspense that will keep you on edge and you will be compelled to continue reading until you turn the last page.

The story has characters whose lives are directed by their strong faith in God, and some whose faith is weak or none existent. I found this an exciting, enjoyable read and one that I can heartily recommend.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Revell a Division of Baker Publishing in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed a

About the author: Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of several romantic suspense novels, including When the Smoke Clears, When a Heart Stops, and the Women of Justice series. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She has a master’s degree in education from Converse College and she lives in South Carolina. Find out more at www.lynetteeason.com.

The Math of Sharing

When you share grief, it subtracts from the burden.

When you share joy, it multiplies exponentially.

"Tom T's Hat Rack: A Story About Paying It Forward" by Michele Spry & Illustrated by Peggy A. Guest (Review & Giveaway)

Review: Tom T's Hat Rack is a charming inter-generational story about a little girl who is cared for by an older couple.  Mr. Tucker (Mr. T) is a kind gentleman who like many others has cancer and must undergo treatment of chemotherapy. Like other cancer patients, the treatment cost him his hair. This story touches a tender home-button to me.  You see, a couple of years ago my husband had cancer with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. He, too, lost his hair. At the same time I had a daughter who had cancer and she was undergoing surgery and chemotherapy. And she, too, lost her hair.  Folks, loss of one's hair is akin to losing one's identity.  But to be cured you must put up with the cure and you must cope.

Part of Mr. T's being able to cope was having Shelby in his life. She stayed by his side when he was really feeling the affects of the treatment. He planned his appointments for after school so Shelby could go with him because she was such a help and comfort to him.

After Mr. T was better from his cancer treatments, he decided to do something to help others. Mr. T gets involved with a project. He is handy with tools. And he brings Shelby into his project.  But the object he is working on is a secret until finished. Mr. T creates hat racks for a local hospital and Shelby wants to be part of this act of love and generosity. But as they are making the hat racks, Shelby has no idea what they are making. She is just enjoying her time with Mr. T. and learning so much from him. Through all this, sweet Mrs. T is making sure their tummies are filled with good things to eat.

Shelby's parents live close by and Dr. John (Shelby's Dad) is Mr. T's doctor. So this is all a real good close relationship between the two families. Kindness. Consideration. Appreciation. Love.Shelby wrote in a school essay: 

"In life we must not hold our hand out and ask, "What's in it for me?" but rather ask, "What can I do for others?"

This thought provoking, insightful story is a tastefully presented story of cancer. But it is also a story of compassion and how each of us can be helpful to others and give of ourselves to their need.  In other words, "Paying it forward."  

GIVEAWAY: The author has graciously offered to provide a copy for one of Chat With Vera's readers.  Just use the Rafflecopter entry form and let's see who will be blessed to receive this inspiring story. Begins May 4 and ENDS May 20 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA mainland residents only.
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"And who are these folks?", you ask.
Well, they are "Tom T" and the author!

About Michele Spry: My good friend, Tom Trabue, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2012. To watch Tom go through chemotherapy and radiation, yet always remaining so positive, was such an inspiration. A long time ago, I decided to live my life by paying it forward to others as often as I could and try to encourage others to do simple acts of kindness for random strangers. I began writing this book with those two inspirations. Links of interest:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SPRYPublishing

Twitter: ms_spry

Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/102593405488658425080/102593405488658425080/posts

Website: www.michelespry.com

"Rescue Team: Grace Medical Series Book 2" by Candace Calvert (Review & Giveaway)

ISBN-13: 9781414361123

About the book: Tired of running from her past, nurse Kate Callison intends to become Austin Grace Hospital's permanent ER director and make Texas her home. Then unthinkable tragedy wraps the ER in crime tape, bringing swarms of media, legal chaos-and a search-and-rescue hero who seems determined to meddle in her life.

For Wes Tanner, nothing beats finding someone who's lost; he's known that helpless terror firsthand. So he'll expand his team's lifeline of hope: K9 tracking, swift water rescue, even horse-mounted searches. He's ready for anything-except Austin Grace's prickly and dismissive ER director.

Review: I thoroughly enjoy Candace Calvert's books and requested to be on her short list of reviewers. So here we are with the second in the Grace Medical Series with "Rescue Team." The main characters Wes and Kate are thrust upon each other because their employment puts them directly in each others path.  Wes is a search and rescue team leader and Kate is an emergency room supervisor.  When Wes finds the lost and hurt, they are brought to Kate's ER.

Wes was lost as a child and doesn't want others to endure his traumatic experience or at least he wants to rescue the lost so they don't hurt as much. But he is still trying to come to terms with his own childhood experience.  Kate has been running from hospital to hospital in short-term positions because she is actually running from life.  Her past makes her run because she is hurting and she is lost and she believes she has done something no one will forgive.  But Kate wants to make it perfectly clear to Wes that she doesn't need rescuing.

While the story is about the lost and the rescued and the hurting and the healed, it is also about forgiveness.  The healing power of God's forgiveness for us and the healing power of our being able to forgive others. But this is a story of drama, too. Drama in the ER. Hospital drama with insurance liability and PR concerns. Drama in the field searching for the lost. Drama in family relationships. And it is a story of tenderness. The tenderness of being forgiven. The tenderness of a baby's touch. The tenderness of a gentle kiss.

GIVEAWAY:  Candace Calvert has graciously provided the opportunity for one of Chat With Vera's readers to win a their very own copy of Rescue Team.  Use the Rafflecopter entry form below. Begins May 1 and ENDS May 30 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA continental residents only.
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DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy of Rescue Team by the author, Candace Calvert, in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own.

"Can't Wait Willow" by Christy Ziglar & illustrated by Luanne Marten (Review & Giveaway)

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog from FlyByPromotions on behalf of the publisher and author. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

 About the book:  The first book in the series:  Can't-Wait Willow! Willow is so excited that the Over-the-Top Circus has finally come to town! The only problem is, that when left to her own devices, she can’t say “no” to some good things. On the way to the show, she is distracted by enticing treats and fun that she just can’t turn down. Willow arrives late and is sad to find that, not only has she has run out of time, but money, and she won’t be able to enjoy the pink cotton candy she’s been dreaming of. Willow is given valuable advice and a second chance and is ultimately taught the lesson that sometimes in life you have to say “no” to good things to end up with something great! 

About Shine Bright Kids: The Shine Bright Kids series provides children and their families with a relevant framework to help instill solid values and teach the importance of making good choices. The principles that will be explored include: using good judgment, taking responsibility, having a positive attitude, and demonstrating perseverance.

Can't-Wait Willow! from Ideals Children's Books from Ideals Books on Vimeo.
Review: Don't you just love the pictures of Willow. She is an adorable little girl with beautiful red hair.  Her freckles are charming. Her spirit is uplifting and exciting. But Willow...... oh my, Willow Can't Wait!

"Sometimes you've got to say 'no' to the good,
so you can 'yes' to the best.

"--Zig Ziglar

All along the way toward the circus, she encountered wonderful opportunities - play with friends, drink lemonade with friends, look at the exotic birds outside the circus tent - all very good things to do. When she finally realized that ".... the music had stopped and people were leaving the tent. The circus show was over!".... she was so sad and defeated.

But Willow was given a ticket to the next day's circus and a second change to get there on time.  So the next day...... "....Willow shook her head, no." to the ice cream truck, and to other opportunities to do good things but not the best thing for that day.

So Willow's story is a story of right choices and second chances.  Children need to learn to make good choices so that as adults they will know when to choose better opportunities over good opportunities.  And also when to choose good over bad situations. 

I can't leave with remarking on the charming, whimsical beauty of the illustrations that capture so truly the spirit of Willow. Her personality. Her zest for life. Her enjoyment of her day (until she misses the circus). Beautifully done.
 

GIVEAWAY:  Chat With Vera has been given the opportunity to offer one reader a chance to win a copy of "Can't Wait Willow." Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Begins May 1 & ENDS May 20 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only.
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About the Author:  (Recognize the last name Ziglar?!?) Christy Ziglar, financial planner, mother of twins and niece of legendary motivator and the world’s original optimist, Zig Ziglar, is bringing the same timeless wisdom and ageless advice to an entirely new, younger audience through her new Shine Bright Kids picture book series. Website: The author's website has great resources to support the book, including a printable poster with 'Ways to Shine Bright,' as well as reward chart you can use at home with your children. 

 

Visit: http://www.alwaysshinebright.com 

The publisher site is: http://www.idealsbooks.com    

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdealsBooks

About the Illustrator: Thanks to her first grade teacher, who recognized her superior skills in drawing a robin, Luanne Marten has been drawing, painting and sketching ever since.  She is a great experimenter and has a fresh, whimsical approach to bring her characters to life. 

"Lost & Found" by Candace Calvert, author of "Rescue Team" (In stores May 1)

I count it a rare privilege to welcome guest blogger & author Candace Calvert to Chat With Vera.  Today, May 1,  her book, Rescue Team was released to the delight of her fans.  If you like medical thrillers and want a good clean read and one that is Christian fiction as well, then you'll want to read Candace's books.  Today, though, she is taking us back to....... but .... let's just let her tell you herself. 

In the throes of childhood, both of my kids managed to get themselves lost—scare your mother half to death lost. Separate events that I’m certain were the cause of my first gray hairs. (Fortunately those hairs have since miraculously turned a lovely shade my hairdresser calls Copper Mahogany). My daughter was a toddler when she disappeared at our community park’s performance of the Pickle Family Circus.

She was wearing pink-check gingham, Salt Water sandals, and a stubborn “Me do it” look on her face. An hour past her nap, she’d threatened to pitch a three-ring fit unless I allowed her walk under the occupied bleachers from one end to the other, the way her older brother had. It was a very short distance. I stood at the end of the bleachers and watched, waited. Then waited, strained to see-- my heart climbing to my throat. It wasn’t impossible, but somehow in broad daylight, right under my nose—and a short set of wooden bleachers—my baby girl simply disappeared.

I went nuts. Ran underneath the bleachers, calling her name. It was a small crowd, young parents, grandparents, and teachers. A gentle scenario to get lost in. Then suddenly someone uttered, “Dressed in pink? I’m not sure, but I think maybe I saw her. A man was carrying a little girl toward the parking lot just now.” I think I stopped breathing.

The ringmaster announced my daughter’s name and description as I raced toward the parking lot, praying, berating myself for being the world’s worst mother, and then praying some more. I was too terrified to cry.

And then—out of nowhere, as fast as she disappeared—my daughter was toddling toward me. Pink gingham, chubby cheeks, and snow cone sticky. With a very proud, “Me did it” smile on her face. Unharmed, happy, clueless. Just out for a walk. What’s the big deal, Mom?

My little girl slept great that night. I didn’t. The what-if’s kept spinning in my brain. I needed to sit beside her crib and whisper thankful prayers that she was found . . . not lost.

In my newest novel medical drama, Rescue Team, I explore the concept of  “lost” on several levels: physically lost, suffering a tragic loss, losing a relationship, and losing faith in God. I invite readers to see something I’ve learned in my own life: sometimes it’s by losing something that we find what’s been missing all along.

The hero, Wes Tanner, is a search and rescue volunteer. It’s a soul-deep passion for very personal reasons. As shown here in the opening chapter: 

***

Wes headed down the road to his horse trailer as morning lit the hill country cedar and prickly pear cactus—golden as the yolks in Gabe’s favorite breakfast. He glanced back at the gully, remembering the moment he’d found Amelia Braxton. “It’s okay. You’re not lost anymore.” His favorite words in the world. Being able to say them and offer that lifeline of hope to another human being had become as important to him as breathing. It was the reason he’d answer any callout—anytime, anywhere. Even if he had to do it alone. And sometimes he did that . . . hours, weeks, even months after other searchers called it quits.

Because he understood how it felt to be lost, cold, terrified, and desperate for help. Despite a lifetime spent trying to forget, he still remembered it as if it were yesterday: the January night that Lee Ann Tanner left her seven-year-old son in the woods. Then drove her car into the river.


*** Today my little girl in pink is 34 years old and remains an adventurer. Last summer she hiked a 200 mile stretch of the rugged Pacific Crest Trail—solo. She’s doing the John Muir trail this summer. The fact that she carries a GPS unit which sends daily “I’m okay” signals keeps me from going grayer than my hairdresser can handle. That cool mechanical gizmo . . .  and the deep faith we both share.

GIVEAWAY:  Candace Calvert has graciously provided the opportunity for one of Chat With Vera's readers to win a their very own copy of Rescue Team.  Use the Rafflecopter entry form below. Begins May 1 and ENDS May 30 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA continental residents only.
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