Saturday, July 30, 2011

She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen- Thorougly Enjoyable!

Justine, mom to 2 young girls whose best friend has moved away from the house behind her finds that her life lacks pizzazz. Most people around her seem to think she has it all together but there are those who truly know her best. Ariel, mom to 3 young boys moves into the house vacated by Justines best friend could use some advice when it comes to being organized and finds the new neighbor has just the plan. The 2 become friends finding themselves not just talking across the fence but discovering there is more than being "just neighbors". This book will tickle your funny bone(especially Ariel's boys) but at the same time it will tear at your heartstrings. The author tackles sensitive issues while creating well developed characters. Book flowed well and quickly became hard to put down. Spend some time getting to know these two women, their families, friends and other neighbors! Highly recommended!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Craving Grace by Lisa Velthouse

In the beginning her story is a collection of her life as being a single twenty something female in Michigan on a quest for meeting Mr. Right. She attempts fasting while thinking about what a jar of honey symbolizes thus deciding her life lacks sweetness. She devised her "Honey Project" to improve her spirtual focus and meaning. The making of a list to follow she felt, would equal success. On her quest she communed with others on a farm and finds out that living without can be an advantage for her while at the same times has its embarassing moments. Her writing style is down to earth and easy to follow which is a plus, perhaps younger readers can relate to her journey. I did learn some interesting facts about other religious practices. I had a hard time grasping the meaning of her journey as a author. The cover, quite a excellent choice, drew me to this book blindly and knowing that it is a memoir caught my interest as well. In all honesty I cannot say that the book challenged me in my faith and I did not enjoy it as much as I had anticipated I would. I got this book because of the blurb on the back and I did give it a 3 for effort, but I felt it fell short.

Monday, July 25, 2011

The Indwelling- Left Behind #7- Chilling!

With the death of a public figure, the GC tightens security looking for answers. A member of the Tribulation Force begins to feels options are running out for themselves and for others. A worldwide tribute to Carpathia is planned as the list of believers keeps growing, while fearing for their lives now more than ever. Book started out a little slow then by the 4th chapter I was hooked in again and found it difficult to put down. This book more than the others I feel so far, is very chilling especially as it gets to the climax. Plot, dialogue and scene worked well and I highly recommend this end times novel, it is creative and with the introduction of new characters and revisiting with familiar ones makes the left behind series the one to read in this day in age. I am challenged in my faith and I always walk away looking forward to the next book! I was entertained and I found the overall message inspiring. Well done!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Bandit's Hope by Marcia Gruver- Enjoyed every minute of it!

Mariah, new owner of Bells Inn is in search of a husband but others believe they hold her choice. Reddick (Tiller) McRae has other things in mind than being with his ruthless gang members. Tired of running, Tiller is caught in a storm landing him on the doorstep of Bells Inn. He is quickly made welcome by the Inns workers and for Tiller bidding time seems the best solution yet. A search operation turns up more than is expected. The second in a series, of which I have read the first, has as much charm and personality, but can easily be a stand alone novel as well. With the introduction of new characters, Otis and Miss Vee, for example, added to the storyline, I was really drawn to them, along with my old favorites made this quite an enjoyable and fulfilling read! I always expect to have a great time when I read one of Mrs. Gruver's novels and this one did not disappoint. Excellent character development and dialogue the novel flowed well and I connected with the characters right away. The book held my interest and did not have any dull parts. Excellent! I would definately recommend this book to others. Thanks so much to Barbour Publishing for my ARC Copy!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

False Witness-my review

Clark Shealy and his wife Jessica are a repo team. Johnny Chin (a member of the Chinese Mafia), has a preference for blondes. Foul play is suspected when Jessica disappears suddenly. David Hoffman, part of the witness protection program, is also in the repo business. He is in violation of felonies and in court is represented by a team of law students, Jamie Brock, Isaiah Haywood and Davon Jones. The law students soon find out that what is at stake is more dangerous than they realized.A nonstop action novel that includes courtroom drama makes for an easy flowing book! The scene and dialogue work and the reader will be thrust into a novel with many twists and turns. Well done!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

You Can Understand the Book of Revelations by Skip Heitzig- Deserving of More Than 5 Stars!

(Posted previously on Chistianbook.com 5-21-11)
In all honesty I have to say that this is possibly the most accurate and complete translation of Revelations that I have come across. Finally it all makes sense! Each chapter includes study scriptures from other books that correspond to the chapter being read to give additional understanding and insight. Stories that illustrate were also included as well as current events tying into the end times. The author brings to light the meaning of the symbols and difficult to understand passages contained in the chapters. I followed along with my bible as I dove into the book. An extremely well written book that alot of thought and time has went into. I think this would also be excellent for bible study or book club. Don't expect to finish it in a day or two! Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for providing this ARC copy for me for my review.

Restless in Carolina by Tamara Leigh Loved This Book!

Bridget, a young widow, who cannot let go of the past seems to be a part of everyone's conversation whether she likes it or not. Looking for an audience with J.C. Dirk, a green concious environmentally friendly real estate developer, in which to keep her uncle's land quaint and from big business she travels to Atlanta dressed to impress. Despite other interested investors, she has her heart set on keeping the land green and J.C. Dirk is just the one to help her. Being weary of potential love interests as a now available single she has her share of prospective matches but will she lose her guarded heart a 2nd time?Excellent character development and storyline. Even though this is part of a series, and I have not read the first two in the series, I feel this novel can stand alone. I was able to devour this book in under 6 hours as I could not put it down. I highly recommend this book! Very well written! “I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

Monday, July 18, 2011

Springtime of the Spirit by Maureen Lang

Christophe returned home from the war with no greeting and no welcome. Annaliese jubilantly shouted as the crowd rallied to hear of freedom call. Their cries so different from the communists. Hunger dictates the country as the citizens of Germany celebrate the end of the war. Annaliese has won the attention of an important admirer, looking for a victory in the election, and one who can further the socialists party. Annaliese is reacquainted with someone from her past but could it ruin everything she has worked so hard for? Christophe is sent on a journey to recover what was lost. Will he truly find what he is searching for?
A novel of politics, loyalty and discovery set in the time of the Great War. The scene of the storyline worked very well and I can see myself in the era as I read this book. I found the book to be much better and more entertaining than the other books before it.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

The Champion by Carla Capshaw-Excellent in every sense of the word!

All of her life, Tibi has tried hard to win her father Tiberius' love. Her future options are limited, and she chose a different path for her life, rather than the one that her father has chosen for her. She flees for safety to the home of Alexius, a Greek gladiator. Alexius risks his life in the coliseum, but nothing has prepared him to face his greatest battle yet. Action, adventure, romance and twists and turns entertain the reader of this well crafted novel! I connected with each character in the story from the beginning. I do enjoy this kind of novel, one that you can feel as if you are there experiencing what the characters do and feel what they feel from the comfort of your chair. Excellent in every sense of the word, I highly recommend this novel! Very well written!

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Desert Gift by Sally John- Not Sure

Jillian is a well known speaker and author on the subject of marriage communication. Jackson is a physician for Huffman Medical Group, he asked his wife Jill for a divorce after 24 years of marriage. He has fallen "out of love". Their son Conner, aged 23 is currently living in Europe. Jill's books reveal much about their marriage and the more she tries to reconcile the more he drags his feet. The memories are fresh in her mind, her thoughts consume her. The question remains, Can she get back what she needs and deserves in this life, and will it come with a price? The scene worked but I felt the characters lacked depth and I had a very hard time connecting with them. The novel started out great but quickly dropped off and sadly did not hold my interest to the end. My faith was challenged somewhat. It is an ok read but not sure if I would recommend it to others.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Assassins (Left Behind #6)- Will leave you wanting more!

Hattie has disappeared, leaving tribulation members wondering about her outcome and theirs. The tribulation force has lost yet another member while others join in their cause. The 6th trumpet judgement has begun bringing with it horsemen engaged in a bloody battle. As a gathering of dignitaries and followers gets under way tensions rise while cheers grow louder.As the novel spirals to a climactic conclusion the reader is thrust into the next volume in the series. This particular book will leave you wanting more. Excellent character and scene, as the previous books in the series have been thus far, and has left me satisfied with the time invested in reading this volume. Very well written. I look forward to the next book and reconnecting with my favorite characters.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Today we are Rich by Tim Sanders-Undecided

Billye, the authors adopted parent, always knew what to say when it was needed, instilling confidence and seemed to make a difference in the authors young life. Reading more like the cross between autobiography of the author and a biography of Billye with a collection of quotes and passages from other writers and famous personalities thrown in, the book shifted back and forth between all of them. The author was able to put into practice the lessons and principles that was taught to him from Billye and others and he gives the reader ways to incorporate and apply them to their lives.
The advice on a positive note I learned for example: How to ignore what is bringing you down, how to have a positive mindset. On the flipside for example: I found out how to alienate people and how to pump myself up so I can be better than others. To be honest I would pick this book up and put it down quite a bit not feeling satisfied that it was a good choice for the time spent. I felt that the book did not challenge my faith. I would have given the book 2.5 stars but gave it 3 for effort.
I do believe in the power of positive thinking, but just not at the expense of others.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Look to the East by Maureen Lang

Juliette Toussaint aged 22 is taunted by Claudette de Colville. The Toussaints and Colvilles are at war with each other. Young men are being called into duty in WW1 and Pierre, brother to Juliette, is no exception. During the war soldiers harvested grain taking from the owners of the fields, so the owners would not benefit from the harvest, such is one "crime" in times of war. Charles is trying to stay one step ahead of the German troops. Charles' refuge now belonged to the Germans, who are taking captives, but will his hiding last? A young girl praying in a pew captures Charles' attention. Has he not seen her before? Safety has come in the form of a priest but for how long?A novel that was an ok read, as I did not seem to connect with the characters. The scene and ending worked however. I devour historical fiction but just could not "get into" this novel. I am hoping the next novels in the series are better as I expect they will be.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Apollyon Left Behind #5 My review

Carpathia confronts the two witnesses and was not satisfied with the outcome. Hattie feels unworthy of God's grace for her part in Carpathia's rise to power. The tribulation force plans on staying one step ahead of the danger from global community officials but is that enough? As subzero temperatures engulf the earth and frightening insects terrorize the inhabitants will this bring the people closer to God? Riveting, unpredictable with lots of twists and turns this novel, as the others before it, will keep you on the edge of your seat anticipating the outcome. I have grown quite fond of the characters and look forward to reading the next in the series. So intune for today's world I highly recommend this book. Read the book of Revelation in novel form, it is a fast read, and definately hard to put down, has excellent character and scene development. I as the reader felt I was transported to the different locations in the storyline witnessing the future come to life.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Journey to Riverbend by Henry McLaughlin- Excellent! Loved it!

Michael Archer rides into Riverbend carrying a note addressed to the Sheriff. Michael has one mission, to deliver a message to a father from his son. The father does not think much of religion and has earned a reputation of being shrewd. Upon arriving in Riverbend Michael meets Rachel Stone, and is mesmerized by her. Rachel is staying at the home of the pastor and his family. Both she and Michael are held captive by their pasts. This unique western novel was a thrill to read and it captured my attention from the first chapter. Action + romance + faith = one fantastic hard to put down book! Lots of twists and turns! Excellent character development and scenic imagry, storyline flowed well. I highly recommend it.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

The Reason Why:Faith Makes Sense-Thought Provoking

The universe exists but why do we? What is the nature of life? The evidence that God exists is all around us, yet so many do not believe in him, despite the heavens seen and the feeling that a belief in God holds a person accountable. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, which he did out of love for us, but what does his sacrifice mean to us in today's world? The answer to these and others can be found within the pages of this thought provoking book. The book also uses a scientific approach as part of its presentation and includes views from known scientists. I felt the material presented was geared toward the non-Christian looking for direction in his/her life but has valid confirmation for Christians as well. This book being short in length gets to the point quickly listing key points to back up thoughts and questions raised, but you will want to read it slower to absorb the content.

Monday, July 4, 2011

So Long Insecurity You've Been a Bad Friend to Us-Informative and Enjoyable!

What are the key factors of insecurity? How do you confront insecurity issues and how can you break out of different types of insecurity mindsets? The answers to these and other personal insecurity questions can be found within this book.How to help ourselves and one another battle issues, how to recognize problems and to achieve satisfaction from the past and present.This book includes prayers and passages from the bible. A concise, complete volume that can bring the reader out from the pit of insecurity. Quite an eyeopener for me, being informative and enjoyable to read, the author gives sound advice that I can apply in my own life. I recommend this book to others not only for self therapy for themselves, but for understanding others as well who struggle with insecurity.