Kaylea Hutson's Blog, page 13

Blog Tour: Picture Perfect (Review)

Need a laugh?

Janice Thompson is back again with a new series - that ties together characters from her previous offerings (Weddings By Bella and Backstage Pass) to create a light-hearted, yet layered romantic comedy.

Picture Perfect tells the story of Hannah McDermott, a photographer who struggles to see the worth that others see in her photography and more. She also finds herself competing with her "arch-rival and photographer extraordinaire" Drew Kincaid.

Through a variety of antics, and even the re-emergence of a high school rival, Hannah realizes that her future is tied more to her faith, rather than how she's views herself from past experiences.There's also a fun dash of love tossed in the mix (of course!), and just enough drama to drive the storyline.

Honestly, Thompson is one of my favorite "light-hearted" writers. She creates characters that you can truly fall in love with. Reading this novel provided a fun way to reconnect with past characters (from her previous series.). However, it truly can be read as a "stand-alone" novel.

On the scale of one to five, I give it a solid three. It's just simply laugh-out-loud fiction at its best.

More About The Author
Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner.

She is the author of the Weddings by Bella series and the Backstage Pass series. She lives in Texas.

Online Resources
Read a resource online
Download a Reading Group Guide
Find it at Amazon

Note: As a freelance journalist, I was provided a copy of this book by Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group. This review was not influenced by a free book - just in case you (or the FTC) were worried about this detail. 

Blog Tour: Wounded Warrior, Wounded Home (Review & More)

Sometimes I review books because I love the genre, other times, because I know something about the author.

Other times, something in the book description catches my eye and makes me think "I want to know more."

Such is the case of this book, Wounded Warrior, Wounded Home: Hope and Healing for Families Living with PTSD and TBI by Marshele Carter Waddell, Kelly K. Orr PhD, ABPP.

This book, is designed to to provide help and hope for everyone impacted by a service member's return from combat deployment. it's also written to help those combat veterans who return with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI).

As Waddell explains in the book, every family member experiences the effects-confusion, hurt, anger, guilt, fatigue, and fear when the veteran returns home from conflict.

I could spend lots of time telling you my opinion of the book - which is solid and worthy of my being part of my "referral" library. I could also tell you how I found portions of this book can (and do) apply to people going through any major stress/incident, regardless of military service.

But instead of taking my word, I'd rather you take the word of a college friend, who had the opportunity to read it alongside me. As I read his "review" of the book, I was truly blown away. Frankly, it left me speechless.

Real-Life Impact
I recently read the amazing book called Wounded Warrior, Wounded Home. This book had a huge impact on my life. I’ll get to that in a minute. 

I truly believe that this book should be given to military members who have made a decision to seek help for PTSD. 

I received a unique perspective on the other side of this sensitive issue. I know my wife and kids had rough moments but I never realized all the issues that they had to deal with because of me.

There were a couple of pages that hit me hard. On page 79 it talks about how we need to forgive ourselves. I have had a hard time doing that. I was medically evacuated from Iraq when I was in charge of a Company of 300 soldiers. I never wanted to leave them and to this day I still feel bad about that. The other section that really had an impact on me was, Mile Marker 8 on page 92. 

At the end of February 2013, just last week as I am writing this, I was carried out of my house on a stretcher. I had another migraine which led to complications. I was incoherent. My priest apparently was here and gave me last rites. I had flashbacks from an ambush in Iraq. 

My wife told me a couple days later that I was mumbling “Shoot, fire, stop and Ambush” She said at one point she touched me and I was startled and stared at her with a vacant look. I didn’t recognize my wife of 20 years. She said it scared her. That scared me.

That day this book arrived. I began reading it and before I knew it before I was halfway done. The next day I went and spoke to a chaplain. He immediately left his office and went to the Mental Health clinic on base and was able to get me an appointment. 

This book made me realize that I needed to get help. I needed to fix me and stop fixing others. Stop trying to get back to my soldiers who I left so long ago by having every minute of my day at work or volunteering somewhere.

I was not diagnosed with PTSD, but an anxiety disorder associated with PTSD. I am lucky. If what I am experiencing from my ambush in Iraq isn’t enough to be called PTSD then I am extremely sorry and praying for those that do have it.

Thank you for this book. My wife will be reading it next. Then we will donate it to our Chaplain.

Meet The Authors
Marshele Carter Waddell
Marshele Carter Waddell served with her husband, CDR (ret) Mark Waddell, a career Navy SEAL, for 25 years around the world. Together with their three children, the Waddells have endured many lengthy separations and frequent deployments for combat duty, special operations training and real world conflicts. Today, her husband is a disabled combat veteran with PTSD and multiple TBIs. Her son is currently serving in Afghanistan.

Waddell is the founder of Hope for the Home Front and a frequent media guest on military issues. She has been featured in Time magazine, the BBC, the LA Times, the Washington Post, Fox News, the Armed Forces Radio Network and Focus on the Family's radio broadcast.

When Marshele’s husband retired, they moved to Colorado Springs where she began seeing Kelly Orr, a clinical psychologist and Vietnam veteran, as her therapist. Kelly has his Ph.D. from Biola University and completed a fellowship in Clinical Health Psychology in 1993.

Kelly K. Orr
Kelly K. Orr, PhD, ABPP, has more than 30 years experience in behavioral medicine and pain management. He serves on the advisory council and speaking team of Hope for the Home Front.

Dr. Orr completed his PhD in Clinical Psychology at Biola University, Rosemead School of Psychology in 1978. He reentered military service with the Air Force in 1987 and retired in 2004 with a combined USMC and Air Force career of 25 years.

He now makes his home in Colorado Springs with his wife Kathy, enjoying the mountains, hiking, fishing, and spending time with his eight grandchildren.

Online Resources
Read an Excerpt Online
Buy it at Amazon

Note: As a freelance journalist, I was provided a copy of this book by Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group. This review was not influenced by a free book - just in case you (or the FTC) were worried about this detail. 

Lent Photo Day 30: Go

Lent Photo Day 30: Go. Life is a journey, sometimes the destination is known only to God. #rethinkchurch #40days

Today's theme reminds me of the word "journey".... which made me think of these two verses from Psalms....

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. (Psalms 119:105 NLT)

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. (Psalms 121:8 NLT)

Sometimes, you just have to GO and wait for God to show you the destination. We are simply called to trust, wait, and Go.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Lent Photo Day 29: Water

Lent Photo Day 29: Water. I take this gift for granted. Wish everyone could say the same thing. #rethinkchurch #firstworldproblem.

Today's theme seems appropriate - I just finished the book about Kenya (yes, here I go again) and I've been reading a novel about Hosea & Gomer.
Both had themes of water in them in two different ways.

This theme challenges me, because water is such a precious gift - and we (first world Americans) take it for granted EVERY DAY.

Somehow even a few generations ago - like less than two - our forefathers knew what other countries know now.... you can't take clean water for granted. (One only has to read about the Dust Bowl era to remember this.)

Water is so important.

I wonder if this is why the Bible has tons of imagery in it about water.

One of my favorite verses comes from an illustration Jesus made, when he talked to the woman at the well....

Jesus said, "Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life." (John 4:13, 14 MSG)

Ah, to fill up on that water - the kind that will quench the thirst of my spirit.

I think this verse, from the Common English Bible, sums up the spiritual longing...

Just like a deer that craves streams of water, my whole being craves you, God. My whole being thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and see God’s face? (Psalms 42:1, 2 CEB)

Water...thirst...a desire to be close to God.
Deep thoughts, from a photo theme.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Blog Tour: Shattered (Review)

What would you do, if the brother you love - the long lost prodigal son - comes home, only to be charged with murder.

How far would you go to keep your world from shattering apart?

What would you do to prove his innocence?

That's the questions swirling around the lead in Dani Pettrey's sophomore release, Shattered.

It this novel, Pettrey tackles those questions and more, as Piper McKenna races to help prove her brother's innocence. She's helped by an unlikely source: Deputy Landon Grainger - her brother's best friend.

Along the way to proving her brother's innocence, Piper and Landon realize their relationship is deeper than a (non-related) brother/sister bond.

This is the second book by Pettrey - and it successfully mixes suspense and romance. The intrigue she builds into the book comes in layers. The deeper you go into the story, the more she surprises you.

I'll be honest, I didn't see the end - and the ultimate killer - until Pettrey began to unpack everything surrounding the mystery.

On a scale of one to five, I give this novel (and series) a solid three. It has just the right mix of romance, suspense and more!

(On a side note - Pettrey's descriptions of Alaska makes me want to travel there!)


About The Author
Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves--the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters' faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters. 


Online Resources Visit her website at www.danipettrey.com. 
Buy the book online:http://ow.ly/hLsy9       

It's A Contest
Dani Pettrey is celebrating the release of Shattered with a Nook HD giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party {3/14}. 




One winner will receive:

A brand new Nook HDSubmerged and Shattered by Dani Pettrey {Be caught up in this riveting series.}Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 13th. Winner will be announced at the "Shattered" Author Chat Party on 3/14 . Connect with Dani for an evening of book chat, trivia, and a chance to win gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!


So grab your copy of Shattered and join Dani on the evening of the March 14th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - 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 14th! Note: As a freelance journalist, I was provided a copy of this book by Litfuse Publicity Group. This review was not influenced by a free book - just in case you (or the FTC) were worried about this detail.

Lent Photo Day 28: Silence

Lent Photo Day 28: Silence. Sometimes It's hard to be silent and wait. #40days #rethinkchurch (Photo by John Hacker - Comet over Carthage Mo.)

I didn't find much silence today.
Somehow my day was quite loud.
But this verse, posted originally by a friend, spoke volumes to me.

When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. The "worst" is never the worst. (Lamentations 3:28-30 MSG).

Somehow it seemed to go perfectly with a photo my friend, John, captured this evening of the comet appearing over Carthage, Mo. He had to stop, and wait - and probably, if he's honest, being silent - as he worked to capture this once in a lifetime moment.

So both remind me that sometimes God tells us to wait.... and even though it's not easy, I truly believe it will be worth it.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Lent Photo Day 27: Happy

Lent Photo Day 27: Happy. A few things that made me happy on Monday. #rethinkchurch #40days

Today's theme focused on the word happy - so I tried to capture a few things that simply made me happy today.

1) A Dream So Big by Steve Peifer.
I know I included this book in an earlier theme/photo. I've truly enjoyed reading about Peifer's experience - and continual projects - in Kenya.

Some of his stories have made me cry, others made me laugh hard enough I could have snorted coffee.

Ultimately, Peifer has given me a new picture of service, of how one person can make a difference in the lives of thousands.

(On a side note, I actually brewed pretty good cup of Blond coffee using my k-cup filter!)

2) Music
Listening to the music of The Museum (yes on my "old-school" iPod), makes me happy right now for a couple of reasons.

...The words and music of this group is inspiring. I love how they simply
worship God with their creativity.
...I'm remembering why I love music - and how it can help me "zone" out as I work.

3) Hot tea and Cookies anyone?
Yes, I hang out at Starbucks. Yes, I drink a lot of tea. I'm love how Earl Grey just seems to have a relaxing quality. The cookie - well, everyone needs a bit of chocolate in your life right? (Besides, my "gold" card means I can get tons of free refills on the tea.)

4) Watching E Dance
Tonight (Monday) I went to Canvas Community to experience their unique worship service. One of the blessings - getting to see E dance as the praise band played the last song.

Sometimes, watching a wee one be themselves can bring great joy - and E's expression of praise definitely made me happy!

So here are a few things that made me happy on Monday.

God is good.... all the time!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Lent Photo Day 26: Ate

Lent Photo Day 26: Ate.
Today I simply "ate" ate the feet of Jesus
through worship. #rethinkchurch #40days
Sometimes, you just need to soak up Jesus' loveduring Worship.
Today, two songs helped me do this...."Holy Is The Lord" by Chris Tomlin& "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman.
I think these lyrics really spoke to me...
"When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say....
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name" 
 - Matt Redman


Today, I simply "ate" and "drank"
in the presence of the Lord.
And reminded myself of the 
blessings God has given me.

Lent Photo Day 25: Faithful

Lent Photo Day 25: (v1) Faithful. Amazed by Liz's faithfulness to teach Tweens about a tough subject. #rethinkchurch
Lent Photo Day 25: Faithful (v2) I don't know why but the clouds make me think of a Chris Hughes song. #rethinkchurch

What does it mean to be faithful?

Today's theme made me ponder faithfulness, and reminded me of a Chris Hughes and Ed Kilbourne song "From the Rising of the Sun" based on Psalm 113:3. (Found on their Light The Fire CD).

From the rising of the sun
to the going down of the same,
the name of the Lord shall be praised.

From the rising of the sun
to the going down of the same,
the name of the Lord shall be praised.
So praise ye the Lord.
Praise ye the Lord.

From the rising of the sun
to the going down of the same,
the name of the Lord shall be praised.

This song simply reminds me that God is present, faithfully through everything. 
No Ifs, Ands, Or Buts..
All the time.
And frankly, that makes me grateful.

Lent Photo Day 24: Find

Lent Photo Day 24: Find (v.1). Oz had to find his "goodness" not just his greatness. #rethinkchurch
Lent Photo Day 24: Find (v2.0) One of my favorite verses with "find" in it. #rethinkchurch
Lent Photo Day 24: Find (v.3) finding encouragement from the experiences and faith of others. #rethinkchurch
You can seek and find God in a variety of ways.