{Blog Tour} Let them Eat Cake, French Twists Series by Sandra Byrd

Sandra Byrd is one of my favorite authors!  And so funny! 

 I love this series! 

And Let Them Eat Cake is FREE at Amazon on Kindle Feb 10-14 (For U.S. Residents only).

Just for Valentine's!

***Click here to enter the Petits Fours Giveaway:

http://www.sandrabyrd.com/adults-french-twist.php

You can get this ebook for FREE!

About the book:

Book One in the French Twist Series:

Lexi Stuart is at a critical crossroads. She’s done with college but still living at home, ready to launch a career but unable to find a job, and solidly stalled between boyfriends. When a lighthearted conversation in French with the manager of her favorite bakery turns into a job offer, Lexi accepts. But the actual glamour is minimal: the pay is less than generous, her co-workers are skeptical, her bank account remains vertically-challenged, and her parents are perpetually disappointed. Her only comfort comes from the flirtatious baker she has her eye–but even may not be who he seems to be!So when a handsome young executive dashes into the bakery to pick up his high profile company’s special order for an important meeting–an order Lexi has flubbed–she loses her compulsion to please. Something inside Lexi clicks. Laissez la révolution commencer! Let the revolution begin! Instead of trying to fulfill everyone else’s expectations for her life, Lexi embarks on an adventure in trusting herself and her God with her future–très bon!

The Kindle edition of Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd is free February 10-14! Make sure you grab a copy while you can here, http://amzn.to/UX74hl. If you spread the word on Twitter, Facebook or your website you can enter here, http://bit.ly/WZn9ho to win a "sweet" prize -- delicious petits fours from Sandra Byrd and Divine Delights. US residents only.

My Thoughts:  Sandra Byrd writes with such a humorous flair.  Lexi is out of college and at a turning point in her life.  She wants to be on her own and have a career.  Typing recipes is, well, mundane especially when she knows the recipes better than the authors.

Lexi, our heroine, loves to cook and bake!  But, well, will she ever get the chance?!?

After she loses her job she enters L'Esperance Bakery.  The baker spies her as she waits and waits for her cafe creme.  The baker flirts with Lexi has he hands her the coffee..."Mademoiselle, a beautiful cup of coffee for a beautiful lady."  Lexi thinks to herself that Frenchmen are such flirts and she loves it!

Lexi ends up working at L'Esperance!  This is where the story takes off!  

Lexi's  trials and errors while working in the bakery are realistic and so very human.  This read also has some neat titles/subtitles at the top of each chapter.  I like Chapter Five:  A force de choisir, on tomne a terre...He who hesitates loses.  

This is great chick lit and all about cake with some great coffee!

I loved this book!  And because the hero doesn't turn out as I expected I had to read Book 2!  

*This ebook was provided by the author for review*

(JUST $0.99)

• Book Two:  The second book, Bon Appetit, in Sandra Byrd's French Twist series.  And, yes, it would be best to read the first book, Let Them Eat Cake, before reading this book.  Reading the first book will help the reader to understand Lexi's life and how she gets to France.  (I say this because I'm one of those readers who likes to read books in order).
  Lexi gets her chance to live her dream...she is finally going to France to study French baking and pastry making.  
  Now, Lexi speaks fluent French.  A great asset.  But even this asset does not seem to set well with some of the more snobbish French people.
  In this book Lexi grows and matures as a young adult and matures in her faith.
  Lexi has an agreement to work for four months at two bakeries for her employer who is paying for the whole learning experience.  While she is in France Lexi leaves her family and boyfriend, Dan, back in Seattle.  When times get frustrating for Lexi she wonders what may have been.  This is a very realistic read.  Lexi's emotions, trials and triumphs remind me of what a lot of young adults grow into.  
  A great faith chick lit read! 
  I can't wait to read the last book, Piece de Resistance, in this series...I am SO wanting to know how Lexi's life turns out and who will she choose for her life companion?!?!?
  *Thanks to the author for providing this ebook for review*
  
  
  

  

  (JUST $0.99)
  

  Book Three:  I love this three book series, the wonderful book covers, and the play on words titles!

  Now in Piece de Resistance, Lexi is back and Seattle and is put to quite a career challenge.  She has the opportunity to make Bijoux, a small bakery into a high end bakery.  With this challenge comes some unexpected blessings and trials.  But now that Lexi has been studying the Book of Philippians her faith is stronger.

  Now, Lexi has to romantic interests.  But as Lexi heart takes on this romantic challenge her head must take on the challenge of making all that she learned in France into making Bijoux a success.  

  The story of the lavish wedding cake had me laughing and learning!  A crumb cake frosting?  Little sugar decorations! Frosting that seems to flow off the book page! Beautiful cake imagery! Wow!  

  This is light, fun and faith provoking series.  Chick lit at its BEST!

  I loved. loved this series!  And the pastries and cakes...Oh!My!Goodies!  

  The romance is a little heavier in this read because, well, Lexi is thinking and will need to make a decision.  Just when you think you've figured out where Lexi is going BOOM!  she intersects into a different direction!  

  Wonderful read!  Don't miss this series!  And don't miss the FREE ebook!

*Thanks to the author for providing this ebook for review*

Meet Sandra:

After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling author Sandra Byrd has now published more than forty books. Her adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, was a Christy Award finalist, as was her first historical novel, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. To Die For was also named by Library Journal as a Best Books Pick for 2011 and The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr, was named a Library Journal Best Books Pick for 2012. Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I, will publish in April, 2013.

Sandra has also published dozens of books for tweens and teens.

A former textbook acquisitions editor, Sandra has also published many nonfiction articles and books. She is also passionate about helping new writers develop their talent and their work toward traditional or self publication. As such, she has mentored and coached hundreds of new writers and continues to coach dozens to success each year.

Please visit www.sandrabyrd.com to learn more, or to invite Sandra to your bookclub via Skype.

Connect with Sandra on Twitter: www.twitter.com/sandrabyrd

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandrabyrdwrites

Kindle Edition

• File Size: 510 KB
• Print Length: 319 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1400073278
• Publisher: Quaystrokes (December 4, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00AIRQ54A

Q & A With Susan Cain author of Quiet

I thought some of you may enjoy Susan Cain's Q &A provided by the publisher Waterbrookk/Multnomah Publishing: (see my review HERE)

At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over working in teams. It is to introverts—Rosa Parks, Cho- pin, Dr. Seuss, Steve Wozniak—that we owe many of the great contributions to society.

In Quiet, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so. She charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal throughout the twentieth century and explores how deeply it has come to permeate our culture. She also introduces us to successful introverts–from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions.

Below are some questions recently posed to Susan on the topic of introverts.

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What would be your advice for living with a spouse who is an introvert? Particularly ways to solve disputes when only one side is willing to do any talking!

This is such an important question (and I address it at length in the chapter in QUIET on intro- vert-extrovert relationships). Introverts and extroverts are often attracted to each other as marriage partners (for good reason), but they have dramatically different approaches to conflict. Extroverts are what psychologists call “confrontive copers,” while introverts tend to seek to defuse conflict. The prob- lem is that the more extroverts confront their introverted partners, the more aggressed the introverts feel—and the more they withdraw, leaving their extroverted partners feeling shut out in the cold. On the other hand, the more that introverts try to defuse conflict with quiet talk, the more vehement their extroverted partners grow in response—causing introverts to feel insulted or attacked.

The only way out of this impasse is for each partner to truly understand where the other is coming from and to borrow the other’s coping style. For an extrovert, this means airing grievances as quietly, mildly, and respectfully as you can. And for introverts, this means engaging head-on with problems, even when this feels threatening and unpleasant. Good luck, it’s worth it!

How do you classify someone who prefers their own company and activities they can do by themselves, but has forced themselves to act in a more extroverted way? I enjoy being alone and love reading and creative writing. However, in order to promote and build my dental practice, I have made myself participate in community activities, and in order to be a more active part of my children’s lives, I am part of a group of parents that work and play together. I even enjoy these activities, all the while thinking that I›d rather be home alone with my husband and kids, curled up by a toasty fire with a good book or sharing a movie with them. Have I remade myself into an extrovert or just putting on an act?

It sounds like you’re an introvert who’s gotten really good at acting like a pseduo-extrovert—and nothing wrong with that, if it serves goals that matter to you (your dental practice, your kids’ social life). Just make sure to get the quiet time you need—and that your family probably needs, too.a

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What do extroverts need to understand most about introverts?

When they don’t engage animatedly with you, this doesn’t mean that they don’t like or love you! They just need to recharge their batteries frequently, and might be less demonstrative than you are. Look for signs of quiet passion!

As an extrovert married to an introvert, how can I make his social experiences more satisfying and less stressful?

What a great and caring question. Well, for one thing, make sure there aren’t too many of them. No intro- vert enjoys going out night after night . . . but they might really enjoy the right social events in measured doses. The best experiences tend to be with close friends, or based on events that are of intrinsic interest— e.g., a movie, a concert, etc.

How do you see introverts having any type of an impact on our predominately extrovert society?

They already do! Many of our finest leaders and artists have been introverts. It’s usually a matter of making your own natural strengths work for you (for example, the Campbell Soup CEO Doug Conant was famous for writing 30,000 personal notes of thanks to high-performing employees) while gaining the skills you need to fake extroversion when you need to.

Also, social media is an introvert’s friend—it’s a way of connecting with tens, hundreds, thousands of people from the comfort of your own home or office.

The Three Minute Difference {ALTER your Health, Money, and Relationships Without Changing Who You Are} by by Wayne E. Nance

Book Description: Years ago, Wayne Nance's life was out of control.   An incessant smoker, he weighed 315 pounds.  His marriage was disintegrating and his finances were bottoming out.   He finally realized that his obesity, debt and relationship meltdown were surface problems resulting from his core attitudes and beliefs.   Then he began to bring his life back into balance.

Today, Wayne is the Real Life Attitude Guy. His true success story includes losing more than 100 pounds, staying married and paying off his financial debt that was ruining his life.The Real Life Management system, outlined in this book, centers on the 3-Minute Survey.  It will help you identify your core attitudes and then identify weaknesses, avoid faulty decisions and stay focused on your self-improvement goals.

My Thoughts:  It is great and always wise to listen to someone who has good advice.  Simply because one can learn and hopefully, not make the mistakes that others have made.
The 3-Minute Difference by Wayne E. Nance is one of those books.  As I was reading this book I came to chapter 5, Don't Be Had by the HADs, I SO wish I had read this book before I went to college.  Such good information about life, longings and living to one's ability.  In this chapter Mr. Nance talks about how we are failing our kids in schools by not teaching them about obesity, debt and broken relationships (or better yet how to make your relationship work).  This chapter is worth more than gold. And its more than advice it is life application.  In this chapter on p. 86 Mr. Nance talks about how colleges "think" credit is good learning curve for students.  Not so!  Not only are college students coming out of college with a HUGE bill to repay but to top that off they have a terrible credit card debt!  
Parents as well as older teens NEED to read this book.  If parents get this idea into their thinking then they can help their children.  If we all work together we can stay out of debt.  A grand self help book!
This is a great read!  Great information that helps one to make life changes not just keep on doing what you've always done to keep yourself in that pit.
This book would make a great gift for the high school graduate.

*This book was provided for review by The B&B Media Group, Inc.*

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Mission Books; New Edition edition (July 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1618431188
• ISBN-13: 978-1618431189

One Glorious Ambition, The Compassionate Crusade of Dorothea Dix by Jane Kirkpatrick

Book Description:  One dedicated woman...giving voice to the suffering of many

 Born to an unavailable mother and an abusive father, Dorothea Dix longs simply to protect and care for her younger brothers, Charles and Joseph. But at just fourteen, she is separated from them and sent to live with relatives to be raised properly. Lonely and uncertain, Dorothea discovers that she does not possess the ability to accept the social expectations imposed on her gender and she desires to accomplish something more than finding a suitable mate.  Yearning to fulfill her God-given purpose, Dorothea finds she has a gift for teaching and writing. Her pupils become a kind of family, hearts to nurture, but long bouts of illness end her teaching and Dorothea is adrift again. It’s an unexpected visit to a prison housing the mentally ill that ignites an unending fire in Dorothea’s heart—and sets her on a journey that will take her across the nation, into the halls of the Capitol, befriending presidents and lawmakers, always fighting to relieve the suffering of what Scripture deems, the least of these.  In bringing nineteenth-century, historical reformer Dorothea Dix to life, author Jane Kirkpatrick combines historical accuracy with the gripping narrative of a woman who recognized suffering when others turned away, and the call she heeded to change the world.

My Thoughts:  Jane Kirkpatrick is one of those authors who has the ability to take an everyday person's experience and write it in story form.  I have never heard of Dorothea Dix until I read this book, The Glorious Ambition.  WOW!  What a story!

Dorothea is only twelve but with a mother more interested in herself, her world and no need for children and a pompous father, Dorothea takes it upon herself to try and take care of her brothers.

She takes Charles to her grandmother's home.  Where she is met with great surprise and unfortunately her grandmother believes that they are better off with their parents.  Poor Dorothea!  Trying to take care of her small brothers and with a terrible father who constantly shouts and can't provided for his family.  Her father actually traded land for books!  Land that is worth a fortune for books that could be bought! 

Dorothea has a grace and compassion that lends her to be strong for Dorothea must be strong.  As Dorothea grows she  is astonished that no one speaks up for the mentally ill, the insane.  So she becomes involved during a time when women are not to have had learning or too many brains for thinking.  She submits a report and writes, "Insanity is the result of imperfect or vicious social institutions and observances. . . The lack of order and structure presses people into insanity." (p. 245)

This is one of the best fiction books I've ever read about a true person.  Again, WOW!  Jane Kirkpatrick presents a fine work of art and a telling of oppression that far exceeds the human mind!  A read not to be missed!

*This book was provided for review by Waterbrook/Multnomah*

Some info on Dorothea Dix:

Dorothea Lynde Dix was an American activist on behalf of the indigent insane who, through a vigorous program of lobbying state legislatures and the United States Congress, created the first generation of American mental asylums. From Wikipedia

Born: April 4, 1802, Hampden Died: July 17, 1887, Trenton

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} Baked not Boiled Eggs!

When a friend told me that she bakes her eggs instead of boils them because                they are less rubbery and no sulfur smell...I loved the idea and the taste!  

Got to try this for yourself!

2 - 4 dozen raw eggs ( or just the amount you'll eat for that day)
ice
water
Directions:
1  Position the oven racks in the center of the oven.
2  Place the eggs on the racks.
3  Place a baking sheet pan in the bottom of the oven (just in case an egg breaks).
4  Set the oven to 325F, and bake for 30 minutes.
5  When the eggs are done, fill a large bowl with ice water and move the eggs into the bowl.
6  Peel the eggs as soon as they're cool enough to handle, then return them to the ice water to thoroughly chill. ( I just peel and eat =)

Goodbye to Yesterday {Part 1 of 6} by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Book Description:  Join Meredith and Luke Stoltzfus, an Amish couple who are faced with the greatest challenge of their young lives. Financial struggles. Arguments. A suspected pregnancy. A last-minute trip to Middlebury, Indiana. A drug addict on the run. A deadly encounter at a Philadelphia bus station. Will their love and faith be enough to bring them back together again, against all odds?

My Thoughts:  I was pleasantly surprised when I received this book in the mail.  It's such a neat book, unlike any I've seen before.  It's small in size but not very thick.  It's kind.of.like a miniseries {for lack of a better word} because each book is a continuation. . .  Like a story that will continue in the next issue.  I just love this book!  And can't wait for the others!

Now for the story.  Wanda E. Brunstetter is a bestselling author for a reason.  She brings the story to life.

Meredith and Luke Stoltzfus are newlyweds and like most newly married couples they experience some issues.  First of all issues is money or the lack thereof.  Meredith like most women wants to freshen up their drab spare bedroom but "Luke was probably right about not spending money on paint with their finances so  tight right now.  Paint wasn't that expensive, but in Luke's eyes, it may as well cost a million dollars."            (p. 14) So realistic!

Meredith suspects that she may be pregnant.  But of course Luke doesn't know yet.  Then Luke loses his job at the furniture store, he tries to find another job and decides to go to another town to find a job while Meredith stays home.  Trusting in the Lord, faith in God's timing and love are all apart of this read!

This is a continuing story...like I said at the beginning it's like a miniseries.  I'm hooked!

*This book was reviewed by Handlebar Publishing*

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Books (February 5, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616260858
• ISBN-13: 978-1616260859

The Discovery Saga Series is a serialized novel--a novel released in monthly installments over a six-month period--check out the fun we are planning with our bloggers below!

Click on this link to Win Books Weekly!

An Exciting Hunt From Handlebar: Join the Scavenger Hunt Which Begins TODAY, February 4! Ten of our bloggers are hosting a virtual scavenger hunt during launch week of A Goodbye to Yesterday: Part 1.You're invited to join in the fun and invite those you know would be interested. The grand prize is a Kindle loaded with some of Wanda Brunstetter's books. The hunt starts onFebruary 4 on the Discovery Saga series Facebook page. Go ahead, like the page, and share! The more involved in this hunt, the more fun it is for everyone!

COTT {Clash of the Titles} Winner!

The Champion of the December New Releases Clash is:

A Promise to Protect, by Liz Johnson

Her novel takes the honors but it went up against some formidable competitors:

The Song of the Tree, Lotis Key

Mind of Her Own, Diana Brandmeyer

Counterfeit Cowboy, Lacy Williams

The Knitting Fairy, Jaime Marsman

Thanks to all for showing up and playing with COTT this week. The voting was amazingly close for a few days, and we had well over 200 voters. Congratulations to our readers and supporters!

A few of the comments from the survey say:

I absolutely love inspirational fiction. Thank you all for your books... I seem to always find one that speaks to my needs.

Keep on creating and inspiring.

ALL of the titles sound fabulous! It was a tough decision. Thank you for writing such awesome books!

Anything about our Seals is a definite buy!

Sometimes it seems unfair to have to choose. All the books look interesting. But I picked the one that I would pick up first.

What a wonderful list of books! Great job, everyone!

The books all look very interesting and well worth checking out. It was very difficult making a choice and all 5 authors should be encouraged for doing a great job.

Liz Johnson is one of my favorite authors. I love how she develops her characters in such a way that I not only want to know what happens in the story but I am emotionally invested in the characters.

About the Book:

Navy SEAL Matt Waterstone knows about keeping people safe. When his best friend’s sister is attacked, Matt promises no harm will come to Ashley Sawyer–not on his watch. But Matt’s not the only protective one. Ashley will do anything to safeguard the residents of the battered women’s shelter she runs. She’s sure she can handle the threats she gets in return. What she can’t handle is the way Matt scales the walls around her heart. Yet when she falls prey to a crime web more sinister than she’d realized, trusting Matt could be the only way to survive.

Buy the book on Amazon, or Barnes and Noble

About the Author:

Liz Johnson graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a degree in public relations and works as an editorial and marketing manager at a Christian publisher. She is a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist, and A Promise to Protect is her fourth novel with Love Inspired Suspense. Liz makes her home in Nashville, TN, where she enjoys theater, exploring the local music scene, and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her two nephews and three nieces. She loves stories of true love with happy endings.

Keep up with Liz's adventures in writing at www.lizjohnsonbooks.com, Twitter @LizJohnsonBooks, orhttp://www.Facebook.com/LizJohnsonBooks.

Upcoming book news: Ashley's brother, Tristan, gets his own story inSEAL Under Siege, which will release in September of this year.