Always Dreaming

"The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible, NKJV" By Max Lucado

2011-10-25T22:20:00.001-05:00

What I have to say...
Whenmost people hear the phrase “King James Version” they think of old-fashioneddialect that there is absolutely no way they will understand. However, I bid you to focus on the word “NEW”that stands in front of the fore mentioned phrase when picking up Max Lucado’s, The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible, NKJV. I promise you there is no hint of this foreign language we know as the King James Version when it comes to this publishing of the Bible. The language is in fact quite modern and Lucado’s poetic reflections will help you to understand each section you read in a new way. In this edition, Lucado offers various studies, verses personalized by topic, reading plans, an index that’s broken down for different complications of life, and daily devotionals. Sometimes I find that “special editions” have so much packed into them but no way to find what you need when you need it. However, the organization of the layout of the above features is impeccable. I love everything about this book so much that I do not want to allow anyone to borrow it! This should be the next book that you add to your collection, and read!

Click to buy from Thomas Nelson
To purchase on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Lucado-Life-Lessons-Study-Bible/dp/1418543969/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291654077&sr=8-1

Lucado's take on the NEW King James Version

**I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.**

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"The Canary List" by Sigmund Brouwer

2011-07-13T22:49:00.000-05:00

What I have to say...
The Canary List, by Sigmund Brouwer, is one of those novels that the synopsis doesn’t quite assure you what you’re going to get when you crack open the cover. You know, the ones where the author let’s you in just enough to peak your interest but not enough for you to actually know if it’s “the kind of book you’ll like?”

Darkness is chasing twelve-year-old foster child Jamie, She has three things: a bracelet; a therapist; and hope that her teacher, Mr. G, is someone who can help her. Said teacher is ceremonially mourning the anniversary of his daughter’s death when the image of her appears in his window. In a drunken state he doesn’t think much of it. This “image” turn’s out to be his student Jamie who is part of a conspiracy due to her unknown position on “The Canary List” and the gifts that come with it. The two, along with Mr. G’s elderly neighbor are dragged into a conspiracy involving the Vatican and witch craft that completely turns their lives upside down. I can’t say that there is an overwhelming “message” to be had from this story, however if you are looking to just get lost in a good story for a while then read it.

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*
link to purchase

"The Miracle of Mercy Land" by River Jordan

2011-03-19T15:46:00.000-05:00

What I have to say...

The Miracle of Mercy Land, by River Jordan, is unlike any other story I’ve ever encountered. It is full of life, seasoned with mystery, hope, and the complications of the past. It is written in an almost rhythmic form, not quite poetic, but has a distinct voice. For lack of a better description word it reads like honey. I promise you when you read it this will make perfect sense to you. I think this quote from the novel best sums up the story: “But if we learn our lessons from the stories, if they change us for the better, then the stories are worth fighting for and keeping (333).” Main character Mercy Land receives a phone call from her boss that sets her on a journey. Little does she know it leads her straight to her past, and sets her on the way to her future. She learns the most important lesson that perhaps one can learn, and that’s exactly who she is, Mercy Land. This novel crosses the line from the imaginable to the unimaginable, allowing the reader that brief moment of escape. Enter the magical world of Mercy Land and find your story that’s worth fighting for and keeping!

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*

"Mere Churchianity" by Michael Spencer

2011-02-03T15:46:00.000-06:00

What I have to say...

To most Christians, Michael Spencer’s Mere Churchianity may seem to be a scary book. And it is if you focus less on a relationship with Jesus and more on churchianity, or a “church-dependent religion.” (186) This book should come with a warning to not be quick to judge. I fear that most would start reading and assume that Michael Spencer is against Christianity or even Christian communities in general. This however is not the case. I believe that he has a ministry that is reaching out to people that most Christians miss. Those that are leaving the church, not because they don’t believe in God, but because they don’t believe in what “His followers” are doing. And the reason why Christians miss this people group is because they are the ones pushing them away. Spencer gives the reader the freedom to actually read your bible and grow in a relationship with God that is in no way dependent on other people. He also highly encourages you to find a community. Maybe it’s not the typical Christian community most call the church; it could be as simple as a community consisting of all the neighborhood moms. So find a Jesus-shaped spirituality and read this book, maybe you’ll find your own journey.

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*

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Contest

2010-12-01T15:55:00.001-06:00

Blog Readers,
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"The Way Home" (DVD) published by Lionsgate

2010-11-16T15:10:00.000-06:00

What I have to say...
In “The Way Home,” a DVD published by Lionsgate, a father is tasked to watch his two-year-old son while packing the van for family vacation. He becomes distracted and returns to find his son missing. He and his wife frantically search the area for sign of their son. As they are tested by this difficult circumstance an outstanding amount of support is shown by their community.

This is definitely an acceptable movie for family night. However, the plot seems more promising of a good story than it is. I watched it with my sister and we both felt the same way; the movie was good but it wasn’t great. I was actually shocked to find out that the movie was a true story, simply because the writing didn’t seem very realistic. Some of the characters reactions and verbal responses seemed like they were just “the right things” to say if you’re a Christian in this circumstance rather than “the real things” you do and say as a Christian who is walking with God through a difficult situation. I really wish I could say this movie was better; I was looking so forward to watching it. While it would not be a waste of your time to watch it, I wouldn’t put it at the top of your list.

To purchase this dvd go here:
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1400316936&title=The_Way_Home
or here:
http://www.amazon.com/Way-Home-Sub-Ac3-Dol/dp/B003WJ6VE0/ref=sr_1_2?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1283354457&sr=1-2

**I received this dvd free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.**

"Outlive Your Life" by Max Lucado

2010-09-10T20:35:00.000-05:00

What I have to say...
Max Lucado’s Outlive Your Life is a study on Acts unlike any other I’ve seen. Lucado challenges the reader to take after the example of the early church we read about in Acts and get up and make a difference in the world around us for the Lord. Each chapter starts with a scripture verse and ends with one along with a prayer. At the end of the book you’ll find a discussion and action guide that has suggestions to take action that are both reasonable and impactful. Our world is a distant one covered with a façade, we are called to have compassion on this world, to not just see those in need, but to really see the heart of them and to take compassion on them. To use those action words. We really should live in a way that we would be proud if our great-great-great-grandchildren heard about how we responded to the world around us. In a way that we will be excited when the Lord holds are actions accountable to us, to have confidence that we made our Daddy proud! This book has truly challenged me in the way I respond to those around me, especially to those I may not be particularly fond of.
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=0849920698&title=Outlive_Your_Life&author=Max_Lucado
http://www.amazon.com/Outlive-Your-Life-Were-Difference/dp/0849920698/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281477971&sr=1-1
For more Max Lucado:
Facebook.com/upwordsministry
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Community.maxlucado.com

**I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.**

“You Changed my Life: Stories of Real People with Remarkable Hearts” by Max Lucado

2010-09-08T15:07:00.000-05:00

What I have to say...
Max Lucado’s, You Changed my Life: Stories of Real People with Remarkable Hearts, is one of those reads that is bound to challenge, inspire, and change your life. It is a short read with small but hugely powerful stories. Designed to give as a gift to someone who has changed your life, it even comes with space for you to write your own story of appreciation to the receiver of the book. There are many stories of unknown heroes who had courage to do both small and big things that impacted someone’s life for the better. Some of these actions took great courage, while others may be easily overlooked. They are separated into different categories from compassion to friendship. These stories are accompanied by pictures that inspire my love of photography and little inspirational quotes. It’s the perfect size for a “coffee table” book and the stories are the perfect size for any library. Some stories you may recognize from other works by Lucado, but every one will inspire you to tell the people in your life just how much they matter in yours. We often do not thank those who change our lives, but they are exactly who we do not want to overlook. This book is a great way to thank them!
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1404187839&title=You_Changed_My_Life
buy on Amazon
**I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.**

"The Boy Who Changed the World" by Andy Andrews

2010-09-08T14:32:00.001-05:00

What I have to say...
Best selling author, Andy Andrews, does a wonderful job illustrating with the art of words exactly what the butterfly effect is in his children’s book The Boy Who Changed the World. Philip Hurst does his job well in the wonderful illustrations that add to the story. The story starts with how a boy named Norman changed the world, and throughout his story a butterfly follows along. Once you finish reading about Norman you find out that really a boy named Henry changed the world and there you see a new butterfly following him along. Then you find out that Henry really didn’t change the world but in fact it was…you get the picture. Not only do you find out how 4 different boys changed the world, but you may actually recognize some historical figures. This is a great book for any child who is old enough to sit and listen to a story that has more than one sentence on the page. In fact, I think the adult reading it to them will enjoy the story and learn something from it as well. Not only does the lesson ring loud and clear that every good choice you make, no matter how small can change the world, but I think the challenge will be heard by the children who read it and confidence to make those choices instilled within them.

**I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.**

"Havah: the Story of Eve" by Tosca Lee

2010-08-24T11:54:00.000-05:00

What I have to say...
You know a book is good when you finish reading it and think to yourself “Man, do I love to read.” That is what happened to me when I read Tosca Lee’s Havah: the Story of Eve. When I wasn’t reading it, I was literally dreaming about it. We know about Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and Lee fills the reader in on the in-between-the-lines as she would imagine it to have been. Havah starts off with a poetic feel, which is fitting, I think, coming from the female voice-that of Havah’s. I think sometimes we get stuck in these stories we’ve always heard, barely understanding. Lee finds the heart of Eve in this story, connecting the reader to that which we came. I’ve recently started to track my family tree, and as I find things out about my ancestors I find out why I am certain ways. We are so lucky to have accounts of our earliest ancestors and Lee finds their humanness, connecting us to where we came. You will have to keep telling yourself that this is fiction; that it is not fiction at all. As soon as I closed the back cover, I cracked open Genesis, I just had to see where the lines crossed! I don’t think I will ever read my bible the same again; I will try to look at the heart of who I am reading about.
http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/fiction/products.asp?p=9781433668791#about
Havah: Author Spotlight video
Havah: Book Trailer video
http://www.amazon.com/Havah-Tosca-Lee/dp/1433668793/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282668567&sr=1-1

"Demon:A Memoir" by Tosca Lee

2010-07-28T16:08:00.000-05:00

What I have to say...
Demon: A Memoir, by Tosca Lee, is one of those books that make you think. The title’s strong; it will draw you in or make you run away. If the title turns you away I urge you to read specifically about what led Lee to write this novel. The questions she asks are ones that you’ll wonder why you’ve never asked yourself. If it draws you in, let it continue to work its magic. This love story that God is so intricately writing, Lee retells in a way that you probably have never heard nor read; from the view-point of a demon. Maybe the least important aspect is how the demon feels, which is what propels the story--therefore making it the most important. Let me explain, through the demon’s story you will find your own. Lucian, the demon, is ravenously jealous over God’s love for humans who mess up repeatedly. This is why “it” wants to tell this story through an editor. The editor, who is cleverly named Clay, becomes wholly enthralled into this task. In the end he faces an ultimate decision, the same as us all. Clay symbolizes every one of us-- those who have heard of God’s love, of his sacrifice, and those who have not. Either way we all must make the same choice, or choose not to make it, that’s still a choice. I urge you to make the choice to read this book.
sample chapter
http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/books/products.asp?p=9781433668807

"Cast of Characters: Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God" by Max Lucado

2010-07-15T17:19:00.000-05:00

Thomas Nelson product page

What I have to say...
Cast of Characters: Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God definitely tops my favorites list when it comes to books written by Max Lucado. There is just something about his writing style that I love. Each chapter is the story of a different person from the bible. The way Lucado tells each story is uncommon, suitably so since these are stories about “common people and an Uncommon God.” He tells their stories as if they are happening today. I think this aspect helps the unbeliever to understand and the believer to understand stories that they’ve heard and read a million times in a fresh way. You’ve probably heard these stories before, and if you’ve read a lot of Lucado’s books you’ve probably even heard them the way that he tells them. Little did I know I had already read one of the stories that spoke to me most; I guess this was just the time in my life that I really needed to HEAR it. I love how each separate story comes together to form the entire book and an overall message that I think is most magnified in the last couple chapters, those about Lazarus and Peter. These aren’t just their stories, this is your story.

This book was provided for review by Book Sneeze.

"Facing Your Giants" by Max Lucado

2010-06-25T17:42:00.000-05:00

buy book at Thomas Nelson

What I have to say...
Max Lucado’s book Facing Your Giants is modernly poetic. Lucado’s style of writing is sophisticated yet understatedly simple. In this book Lucado takes the reader on a journey through the life of biblical hero David. You see David’s good and bad and how he faces his giants the different times of his life. I think it’s important to learn from other people’s mistakes, it allows you to save yourself from the misery of making the same mistakes and having to face the consequences of such. Lucado does a great job of relating David’s giants; to the giants we face today. I mean how many of us will be gunned down by our best friends father because we were just declared king? My guess is none. My favorite bit of advice from Lucado is the fact that David took five stones to fight Goliath. He suggests using your five fingers to remember those five rocks and what they stand for the fight your giant. In fact I am constantly looking at my fingers reminding myself of those stones. If a young-teenage Sheppard boy can beat his giant, I can beat mine. There is also a very helpful study guide to finish the book off.

*This book was provided for review by booksneeze*

"The Last Christian" by David Gregory

2010-05-24T13:13:00.000-05:00

What I have to say...

David Gregory’s novel, The Last Christian, is about the future. In this future “tolerance” has come to pass and Christianity no longer exists. Abigail Caldwell grew up in a remote jungle in Papua New Guinea. A disease killed her village, forcing her into a “real world” that she has no connection to except a dated message from her grandparents, a mission to return the Christian faith to America. Technology now offers eternal life, but at an expense. Abigail, with a little help from a professor and an ousted FBI agent, takes on the most powerful players in America in order to show the world what real eternal life is.

The future in the book is eerily not so far in the future anymore. It’s almost scary how easily the reader can imagine the circumstances in the story coming to pass. The faith aspect of this story is very thought provoking; the reader will definitely look at the gospel in a brand new light. There’s a heavy focus on life, a little love, and a tolerance that isn’t so tolerant. Christ freely gives what the world tries to sell, but cannot come through on. So America, what life are we going to buy into?
buy "The Last Christian" by clicking here

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*

Summary (as seen on randomhouse.com)
In the future, it’s possible to live forever—but at what cost?

A.D. 2088.

Missionary daughter Abigail Caldwell emerges from the jungle for the first time in her thirty-four years, the sole survivor of a mysterious disease that killed her village. Abby goes to America, only to discover a nation where Christianity has completely died out. A curious message from her grandfather assigns her a surprising mission: re-introduce the Christian faith in America, no matter how insurmountable the odds.

But a larger threat looms. The world's leading artificial intelligence industrialist has perfected a technique for downloading the human brain into a silicon form. Brain transplants have begun, and with them comes the potential of eliminating physical death altogether—but at what expense?

As Abby navigates a society grown more addicted to stimulating the body than nurturing the soul, she and Creighton Daniels, a historian troubled by his father's unexpected death, become unwitting targets of powerful men who will stop at nothing to further their nefarious goals. Hanging in the balance—the spiritual future of all humanity.

In this fast-paced thriller, startling near-future science collides with thought-provoking religious themes to create a spell-binding "what-if?" novel.
About the Author (also taken from randomhouse.com)

David Gregory is the coauthor of two nonfiction books and a frequent conference speaker. After a ten-year business career, he returned to school to study religion and communications, earning two master's degrees. David lives in Texas, where he works for a nonprofit organization.

"The Cross Gardener" by Jason F. Wright

2010-05-19T16:51:00.001-05:00

What I have to Say...

Jason F. Wright’s newest novel, The Cross Gardener, is a quick read with a huge heart. Although some of the theology is questionable, Wright knows how to weave his stories into your heart for good. The reader is taken along main character, John Bevan’s story, from being born on the side of the road, to learning how to overcome a lifetime of loss. Most readers will not be able to imagine the kind of loss the John suffers in this story, and those than can I’m sure will connect to this book unlike anyone else could. You follow John’s story from meeting the girl of his dreams in elementary school, to their first date, to her death and that of their unborn child. John makes the accident site into a memorial, which he visits daily. He is so consumed by his loss that all else in his life comes in a far second, and he can’t figure out how to help his daughter with the loss, which has left her mute. I hope this book finds its way to the New York Times Bestselling list, because I’m sure that it would do extremely well there. It’s life in the purest form. It’s realistic, there’s death, love, and life. I urge you to read this book and discover how John comes to heal, and better yet find out who helped him heal.

http://www.jasonfwright.com/thecrossgardener.html

"Never Let You Go" by Erin Healy

2010-05-19T12:48:00.003-05:00


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Summary
Losing everything has Lexi clinging to her daughter. Hell is determined to loosen her grip.

It's been seven years since disaster struck her family. Lexi Solomon has held it all together since then--just barely.

But now Lexi is losing it. The husband who deserted her is back in town, wanting to see their daughter Molly. Her sister's shameless murderer is up for parole. An unsavory old friend is demanding payment for debts that Lexi knows nothing about and can't begin to meet.

And something else is going on--something Lexi feels but can't explain. A dangerous shift is taking place between this reality and the next. Forces beyond her imagination are vying for control.

A rare novel that will satisfy a wide range of readers, Never Let You Go explores the high-stakes decisions played out in the thin spaces between heaven and earth. As the enemy's grip tightens around Lexi, she will have to decide what's truly worth holding on to.

"Keeps you glued to the pages until the very last."--Tosca Lee, author of Havak: The Story of Eve

What I Have to Say...

Ask any loyal reader of Ted Dekker who Erin Healy is, and they can most likely tell you. Her first independent novel, Never Let You Go, I believe takes her from award-winning editor to an author that should be award-winning as well. Healy definitely knows how to write a page turner. This novel will leave you wondering what is real and what is not, where do the spiritual and physical realms meet? These lines become blurred in the novel as main character Lexi deals with her not so ex-husband’s bad decisions of the past, as well as poor decisions that she has made. Old acquaintances threaten to ruin the life that she has worked so hard to give her daughter. As soon as these old acquaintances reappear, so does Lexi’s husband, as well as trouble. Unexplained events take place that leave Lexi wondering what is really going on. I wanted to read this novel because I extremely enjoyed Kiss, a novel Healy co-wrote with my favorite author, Ted Dekker. Healy blew away my expectations. I was hooked to every page, every word she wrote. This may just be one of the best written novels I have ever read. Healy definitely knows what she is doing, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for readers next.

click to buy now

"The Bride Collector" by Ted Dekker

2010-04-13T20:16:00.004-05:00

What I Have to Say..
Ted Dekker has done it again, he has written another brilliant thriller. This newest novel is called The Bride Collector. It is about a serial killer who murders women leaving a bridal veil at each crime scene. The novel starts with the death of his fourth victim and you read through his pursuit of his seventh and final, who in his perspective is God’s favorite and perfect bride. Dekker dives into the subject of mental illness, asking the question are those who are dubbed mentally ill really normal and those who are dubbed normal really the ones who are mentally ill. Not for the light of heart, the killings are gruesome and it was hard for me to read at first. Dekker used a great name as an underwear brand though; maybe that’s what hooked me. ;) Dekker is one of those minds that dare to ask the questions no one else wants to think about. Maybe that’s what makes this book so brilliant. If we all just understood each other; if we understood that we are all God’s favorites because He loves us unendingly we wouldn’t pin false stigmas upon one another. I dare you to open your mind to Dekker’s questions.

*This book was provided for review by Center Street*

Click for options to purchase this book

"Forget Me Not" by Vicki Hinze

2010-04-09T20:39:00.004-05:00

Summary
A mother who cannot face her future.
THEIR ELUSIVE ENEMIES TOOK EVERYTHING. NOW THEY WANT MORE.

Crossroads Crisis Center owner Benjamin Brandt was a content man—in his faith, his work, and his family. Then in a flash, everything he loved was snatched away. His wife and son were murdered, and grief-stricken Ben lost faith. Determination to find their killers keeps him going, but after three years of dead ends and torment, his hope is dying too. Why had he survived? He’d failed to protect his family.

Now, a mysterious woman appears at Crossroads seeking answers and help—a victim who eerily resembles Ben’s deceased wife, Susan. A woman robbed of her identity, her life, of everything except her faith—and Susan’s necklace.

The connections between the two women mount, exceeding coincidence, and to keep the truth hidden, someone is willing to kill. Finding out who and why turns Ben and the mystery woman’s situation from dangerous to deadly. Their only hope for survival is to work together, trust each other, and face whatever they discover head on, no matter how painful. But will that be enough to save their lives and heal their tattered hearts?

About the Author
Vicki Hinze is an award-winning author of twenty-three novels, three nonfiction books, and hundreds of articles. Selected for Who’s Who in America in 2004 as a writer and educator, Hinze is active in Romance Writers of America and serves as a Vice President on the International Thriller Writers Board of Directors. Vicki lives in Florida with her artist husband, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. Visit www.vickihinze.com to learn more about Vicki’s books, blogs, and writing programs.

What I Have to Say...
Author Vicki Hinze’s first work of Christian fiction, Forget Me Not, is a must read. If you like a book to keep you on the edge of your seat, this will surely do it. A woman who looks exactly like main character, Benjamin Brandt’s, diseased wife shows up at their crisis center. In her pocket is Ben’s wife Susan’s necklace and a card bearing her name. This woman has been left for dead and has no memory except that someone had tried to kill her. Nameless and homeless, Ben takes her in trying to figure out who she is and how her case links to the death of his wife. This is a story of mystery, love, and faith. I have never read a book that was better at showing how bad things still happen when you’re a Christian and that faith takes effort. Faith isn’t a one time deal, it is a continuous thing. You’ll find this book to have a shocker or two. I could not ask for more in a story, it had everything in it. I sincerely hope that Vicki Hinze takes to writing more Christian fiction. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for it!

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*

Click to find where to purchase
available in Trade Paperback and eBook

"An Absence So Great" by Jane Kirkpatrick

2010-04-01T22:36:00.006-05:00

Summary
While growing in confidence as a photographer, eighteen-year-old Jessie Ann Gaebele’s personal life is at a crossroads. Hoping she’s put an unfortunate romantic longing behind her as “water under the bridge,” she exiles herself to Milwaukee to operate photographic studios for those owners who have fallen ill with mercury poisoning.

Jessie gains footing in her dream to one day operate her own studio and soon finds herself in other Midwest towns, pursuing her profession. But even a job she loves can’t keep painful memories from seeping into her heart when the shadows of a forbidden love threaten to darken the portrait of her life.

About the Author
Jane Kirkpatrick is an award-winning author of sixteen historical novels, including A Flickering Light, the first part of Jessie Gaebale’s story, and three nonfiction titles. Known for her unique insights into the exploration of community, family and faith of actual historical women, the Wisconsin native and her husband have called their ranch in Oregon home for the past 25 years.

What I Have to Say...
An Absence so Great by Jane Kirkpatrick caught my attention because it is about a young female photographer living in an early 1900 Midwest. Her journey particularly takes her to southeastern Wisconsin. A really interesting tidbit about this book is that it was inspired by actual photographs taken by the author’s grandmother. As you read through the book you will also see actual photos and get to read the story behind them. Jessie Gaebele’s continuing passion of photography keeps her connected to her past, mainly to the mistakes she’s made. She distances herself from those mistakes with time and distance but as long as she photographs she stays connected. She later on discovers that her photography is not the only thing tying her to her mistake, but the mistake itself. This mistake eventually caused everything she thought to be true in her life to be a lie. This mistake stole from Jessie what she thought to be the very definition of herself. Jessie runs from this mistake again, this time tying all loose ends, and her photography pulls her through. Kirkpatrick does a great job at delving into the most passionate emotions of humankind. This novel is a must read.

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*

Follow link to purchase this book
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781578569816
available in Trade Paperback, unabridged audiobook download, and eBook

"Dancing with My Father" by Sally Clarkson

2010-03-05T13:38:00.004-06:00

Summary
The reality of living in a broken, fallen world can leave women feeling overcome by fear, guilt, and weariness. Many develop “sawdust souls,” numb to any sense of joy.

In this warm and wise book, author Sally Clarkson invites readers to take God’s hand and let Him lead them into a life of anticipation, passion, and purpose. With the voice of a trusted mentor, she reveals how, by getting in tune with the rhythm of God’s presence, women can nurture an inner attitude of anticipation and celebration even in the stressful seasons of life.

Through rich biblical insights woven with real-life stories, women will be inspired to recapture a spirit of joy as they follow God’s lead on the dance floor of life.

About the Author
Sally Clarkson is a popular speaker, known across the nation and internationally for her work with women. She is the author of several books, including The Mission of Motherhood, The Ministry of Motherhood, and Seasons of a Mother’s Heart. She has worked in various ministries, including Campus Crusade for Christ. With her husband, Clay, she is cofounder of Whole Heart Ministries, which encourages and equips Christian parents. The Clarksons, parents of four, live near Colorado Springs , Colorado .

What I Have to Say...
I normally would not pick up the book Dancing With My Father, by Sally Clarkson, simply because of the title. The word dancing draws me, however my first thought is that it’s a book about father-daughter relationship. Maybe it should say heavenly father. When I read the back of the book, it really interested me. “Are you overwhelmed by weariness, fear, or discouragement?” I’m at one of those “stuck” times in life. Yes, I have hope for the future but I would like to have more joy! The answer to that, Clarkson says, is dancing with God. Did you know I’m a dancer? God definitely placed this book in my lap! It is Scripture based and has wonderful real life stories that make the points real to me. Each chapter ends with the most thought provoking questions I’ve ever had a book ask me, and a beautifully crafted prayer. Clarkson definitely knows the heart of a woman. This book came out of her life. She was at a down place and realized she needed to let go, take God’s hand, and let Him lead her through the dance of life. I would and will definitely recommend this book to every Christian woman out there!

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*

Follow link for options to buy this book:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307457066&ref=externallink_wbp_dancingwithmyfather_sec_0119_01

"Yesterday's Promise" by Linda Lee Chaikin

2010-02-25T16:20:00.004-06:00

Summary
He fought to seek his fortune.
Would he lose a greater treasure: the love he left behind?

As the son of the squire of Grimston Way, aristocrat Rogan Chantry has fought hard to win his independence from Sir Julien Bley and the British South Africa Company. Now, his pursuit of a mysterious deposit of gold, marked on a map willed to him by his murdered uncle, Henry Chantry, is challenged by a new complication: the impending British colonization of South Africa. Can Sir Rogan find the gold in the midst of escalating tensions among the native tribesmen, the missionaries sent to win them, and the new colonists?

Meanwhile, Evy Varley, the woman Rogan loves back in England, is headed for a brave yet dangerous confrontation with Henry’s killer–but at what price? With so much against Rogan and Evy, a reunion seems improbable, if not impossible. Can yesterday’s promise hold them faithful to the hope of future freedom and a victorious love?

About the Author
has written numerous best-selling and award-winning books and series, including the Silk series (Heart of India Trilogy), A Day to Remember series, The Empire Builders, Royal Pavilion Trilogy, Arabian Winds Trilogy, The Buccaneers Trilogy, and For Whom the Stars Shine, a finalist for the Christy Award. She and her husband make their home in Northern California.

What I have to say...
For me the novel Yesterday’s Promise, by Linda Lee Chaikin, was a little bit hard to get into. I figure this is due to the fact that it is the second book of Chaikin’s “East of the Sun Series,” and the first book of the series I’ve read. However, being that I hadn’t read the first book of the series I don’t feel that took anything away from the story. If I would have read the first book this one would have been richer for me of course, but I still really enjoyed it. The only historical novels I would call myself a fan of are those of world war two era, which this one is not. It takes place in the late 1800s, with both historical and fictional characters, in England and South Africa. This novel was full of adventure, murder, mystery, aristocratic politics and faith. Chaikin focused separately on characters Evy and Rogan. When I was reading about one, I was wondering what was happening with the other. I enjoyed the end of the book the most and am anxious to find out what happens to Evy and Rogan in the third installment of the series.

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*

You can purchase this great book here:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9780307458759

Available in Trade Paperback and eBook.

"secrets" by Robin Jones Gunn

2010-02-22T17:24:00.006-06:00

Summary
The Glenbrooke Series

Jessica ran from her past...but can she hide from love?

Jessica Morgan wants desperately to forget the past and begin a new life. She chooses a small, peaceful town tucked away in Oregon’s Willamette Valley as the place to start over—Glenbrooke. Once there, Jessica conceals her identity from the intriguing personalities she meets—including the compassionate paramedic who desires to protect her and the jealous woman who wants nothing more than to destroy her.

Will Jessica’s deceit ruin all hope for the future? Or will she find a deeper peace that allows her to stop hiding the truth from those who love her most of all?

This heartwarming bestseller, book one in the Glenbrooke series, introduces the fascinating people of Glenbrooke in a compelling tale of romance and spiritual truth.

About the Author
Robin Jones Gunn is the much-loved award-winning author of the Glenbrooke, Sisterchicks(R), Christy Miller, and Sierra Jensen series, with more than three million books sold worldwide. Robin lives with her family near Portland, Oregon.

What I have to say...
Author Robin Jones Gunn started out writing articles and children’s’ books, and then was persuaded to write teen fiction. Secrets is her first adult novel and it kicks off “The Glenbrooke Series.” Honestly, after I read the summary I thought the book would be decent but I wasn’t overly excited to read it. Main character Jessica is looking for a new life in a small town, but will her secret keep her from the new start she dreams of? Throughout the book I could not for the life of me figure out what that secret was. The plot is good, the characters and relationships are intriguing, and I was hooked. I could not set this book down. I particularly enjoyed the small touch of romance throughout the story. I wanted to know what would happen next, what Jessica’s secret was, and what would happen between Jessica and the fireman that saved her. I’m thrilled that this is only one of a series and can’t wait to read the next. I like the fact that the next book is about a different character from this story, however I do hope I still get to read about the same characters as well. I’m invested.

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*

You can purchase this great book here:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601422736
comes in eBook and Trade Paperback!

Value Fiction For Your Spring Break

Colorado Springs, CO— Fiction lovers don’t need to budget to travel this spring break with Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group’s six full-length novels by beloved Christian authors (WaterBrook, February 16, 2010). At the low cost of only $5.99, these well-read “get-aways” provide quality entertainment at a price that any reader can afford.

Full-length novels offered include:

Secrets

by Robin Jones Gunn - Jessica has moved to a new town to start a new life. But a friendly fire-fighter and a suspicious boss both want to know what she’s hiding.

Beneath a Southern Sky

by Deborah Raney – Daria Camfield is expecting her first child when her husband Nate is reported dead on the mission field. Devastated, she returns to the States and soon marries again. But two years later Nate is found alive in the jungle. How can Daria possibly choose between he two men who love her?

The Golden Cross

by Angela Elwell Hunt – Aidan O’Connor may be a poor barmaid but she’s also a gifted artists. When a famous cartographer takes her on as a student, Aidan is swept into an adventure that will bring her back to her heavenly Father, and into marriage with the love of her life.

Deep Harbor

by Lisa Tawn Bergren – Tora, Elsa, Kaatje, and Karl face trouble, tragedy, and treachery across the Wast, Hawaii , Japan , and the high seas. These four immigrants from Bergen , Norway , each grow closer to God and learn afresh the value of faith, family, and coming alongside each other in times of need.

Faithful Heart

by Al and Joanna Lacy – The adventures of certified medical nurse and dedicated Christian Breanna Baylor continue as she travels by wagon train to visit her sister, Dottie, in California . Little does she know that her most dangerous encounter might be with Jerrod, her brother-in-law, who’s suffering from dementia caused by combat fatigue.

Yesterday’s Promise

by Linda Lee Chaikin – Rogan Chantry faces danger from tribesmen, ruthless politicians, and his own family as he searches for gold in South Africa . In England , his beloved Evy is injured by a mysterious assailant. The greed and intrigue surrounding the diamond mines could very well drive them irrevocably apart.

"40 loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day," by C.D. Baker

2009-12-18T18:36:00.004-06:00

Summary
Why don’t I have more faith?

Why am I so bored with Jesus?

Why don’t I feel connected at church?

These are the types of questions the religious establishment often makes it uncomfortable, if not impossible, to ask. And by asking them, C. David Baker, author of 40 Loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day hopes to start a conversation in people’s hearts, then with others, and ultimately with God. Many circles of Christianity have led us to believe that certainty and confidence are the proof of true spirituality; questions are discouraged.

But Jesus offered his followers an ongoing conversation—a relationship built around a free, open-ended discussion. Questions were encouraged. They were often impertinent, sometimes alarming, and the religious establishment was distinctly uncomfortable with them … just as it is today.

“40 Loaves is something of a collection of the kinds of questions I felt finally free to ask of myself and of my relationship with Christ,” says Baker. “It’s my belief that these questions are shared by many others who long for the freedom to simply ask them out loud. I hope this book becomes a platform that frees others to search their hearts more deeply and be fed with the Bread of life.”

Each “loaf” here is a big question that stimulates discussion, investigation, and contemplation; it will take hours—or days—to digest. Conversational, inviting, disarming, and real, 40 Loaves nourishes self-examination and offers validation for those who feel discouraged, guilty, or even shamed when the realities of their lives don’t match up with the ideals of the Christian establishment.

About the Author
C. David Baker founded an award-winning business before redirecting his career to write full-time from his small farm in Bucks County , Pennsylvania . He is the author of eight books, including six novels, one of which was nominated for a Christy Award. He has contributed articles to the Christian History Institute’s international publication Glimpses, and to Christian Singles magazine. Baker has a Master’s degree in theological studies from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland .

What I have to say...When I read the summary for the forty day devotional 40 loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day, by C.D. Baker, I was skeptical. It starts, “There are many questions we’re not supposed to ask...” Oh boy, I thought, what in the world is this book about? Honestly, I don’t know of a devotional book I would more quickly recommend to every Christian, no matter how long they’ve known Christ. Each chapter starts with what could be considered an “uncomfortable” question in any Christian circle. I’m pretty sure though, that God can handle my questions. Maybe even those questions, that may make others uncomfortable, will draw not only me, but anyone that learns the answer, closer to God! This book has given me insight to things that I really never was comfortable enough to figure it out on my own. It is heavily scripture filled, very biblically based. Why should we not ask a question because “we’re not supposed to,” or because “it’s not culturally acceptable?” When questions are not asked, answers are not discovered, and things never change. Why should someone else say what I can or cannot ask God? He welcomes our question! I strongly encourage you to read this book!

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*

Purchase the book here..
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307444905

"Treasured: Knowing God by the Things He Keeps" by Leigh McLeroy

2009-12-01T15:10:00.004-06:00

Summary
Cigar boxes. Refrigerator doors. Scrapbooks and sock drawers and top shelves. These are the places we store our treasures–the keepsakes that tell the story of whom and what we’ve loved, how we’ve lived, and what matters most to us.
God is a collector, too, whose treasures are tucked securely into the pages of his book: a golden bell here, an olive leaf there, a scarlet thread, a blood-stained cloth, a few grains of barley. Each of these saved artifacts reveals a facet of his heart and tells the story of a Father whose most precious possession is…us.
In Treasured, Leigh McLeroy considers tangible reminders of God’s active presence and guides us in discovering evidence in our own lives of his attentive love.

About the Author
Leigh McLeroy is the author of The Beautiful Ache and The Sacred Ordinary. An avid collector and recorder of everyday moments, words, and wonders, Leigh’s keen eye for God’s presence in ordinary life infuses her writing and living with a deep, insistent joy. A frequent conference and event speaker, the author makes her home in Houston , Texas , and posts often on www.leighmcleroy.com and www.wednesdaywords.com.

What I have to say...
Treasured: Knowing God by the Things He Keeps, by Leigh McLeroy is one of those books you will want to read over again and again. Keepsakes do tell our story, so God must have them too. Each chapter goes over a keepsake of God’s you can find in the Bible that tells not only His story but some of yours. This book gave me Biblical insight that I may not have has with out it. McLeroy tells of each keepsake in not only a Biblical sense, but in such a wonderfully modern voice that you will not set down this book wishing that she had delved deeper. At the end of the book there is a little bonus, if you had not already related to each of God’s treasures, here’s a chance for you to grow a little more. See there is a theme to each keepsake, and McLeroy asks questions that will help you explore each of those pieces of your life story and create your own little treasure chest of your walk with God. She lives by example, telling you of her own treasures. The next time you tell someone about your relationship with God, you will find yourself thinking in terms of those moments you treasure.

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*

To purchase this book go to:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400074815

"God Gave Us Christmas" by Lisa Tawn Bergren

2009-12-01T15:05:00.004-06:00

Summary
As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder… “Who invented Christmas?” Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that… Jesus is the best present of all.
This enchanting tale provides the perfect opportunity to help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to discover how very much God loves them.

About the Author
Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than 1.5 million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. God Gave Us Love follows in Lisa’s classic tradition of the best-selling God Gave Us You. She lives in Colorado , with her husband, Tim, and their children, Olivia, Emma, and Jack.

What I have to say...
The children’s book God Gave Us Christmas, written by Lisa Tawn Bergen with art by David Hohn, is a great installment in the “God Gave Us” series. In this book Mama takes her Little Cub and yours on a journey to find God. When Little Cub asks Mama if they can go find Santa she quickly shifts the Christmas focus to whom it belongs, God. She teaches Little Cub that Santa reminds us of many good things but come Christmas it is Jesus that we celebrate. You will learn from Mama that Jesus would have come if only for you, even it was for only someone you find very mean and do not like much at all.

Bergen answers hard questions in such an easy way; you will wonder why you didn’t think of answering in such a way. You will find her book a sure blessing the moment your little one asks you the same questions that Little Cub asks, when all you have to do is sit down and spend time reading a book together! The illustrations beautifully enhance the story. I highly recommend this book for you to share with the little one in your life.

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*

To purchase this book go to:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400071753

God Gave Us Love by Lisa Tawn Bergren, illustrated by Laura J. Bryant

2009-11-24T17:52:00.006-06:00

Summary

As Little Cub and Grampa Bear’s fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, the young polar bear begins to question why we must love others… even the seemingly unlovable.

In answering her questions, Grampa Bear gives tender explanations that teach Little Cub about the different kinds of love that is shared between families, friends, and mamas and papas. Grampa explains that all these kinds of love come from God and that it is important to love others because…

“Any time we show love, Little Cub, we’re sharing a bit of his love.”

This sweet tale will warm the hearts of young children as they learn about all the different sorts of love, while the gentle explanations of each provide a valuable opportunity to encourage children to share with others a “God-sized love.”

About the Author

Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than 1.5 million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. God Gave Us Love follows in Lisa’s classic tradition of the best-selling God Gave Us You. She lives in Colorado , with her husband, Tim, and their children, Olivia, Emma, and Jack.

What I have to say...

The children’s book God Gave Us Love, by Lisa Tawn Bergren and illustrated by Laura J. Bryant, follows Little Cub on his discovery on what “Love” means. Fishing with his Grampa, Little Cub gets becomes frustrated by some noisy otters. Grampa takes the opportunity to teach Little Cub a little lesson about sharing and a big one about love. Grampa will teach both Little Cub and your child how God created us to love. The reader will also learn how there are different kinds of love, and how always loving isn’t the same as always liking. The reader will learn how God will always love us, and will relate how we know God loves us. This book is great for any young child that is good with paper books. It is clear and relates love in a way that will speak to a child’s understanding. It is a great read for any parent that wants a unique way to teach the concept of biblical love to their children. The illustrations are complete, colorful, and fun and take the child on journey with Little Cub. I definitely recommend this book; in fact I am going to share it with my four-year-old cousin.

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*

purchase this book here:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400074471

"Limelight" by Melody Carlson

2009-11-06T23:48:00.003-06:00

purchase this book:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400070824

Book Summary
Claudette Fioré used to turn heads and break hearts. She relished the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle because she had what it takes: money, youth, fame, and above all, beauty. But age has withered that beauty, and a crooked accountant has taken her wealth, leaving the proud widow penniless and alone.

Armed with stubbornness and sarcasm, Claudette returns to her shabby little hometown and her estranged sister. Slowly, she makes friends. She begins to see her old life in a new light. For the first time, Claudette Fioré questions her own values and finds herself wondering if it’s too late to change.

What I have to say..

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

"Extraordinary" by John Bevere

2009-10-09T17:59:00.003-05:00

Buy it here:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9780307457721

*This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group*

Summary
Isn’t it true that we long to see the extraordinary, experience the extraordinary, do the extraordinary? Yet, so often we settle for mediocrity when greatness is within our grasp.

Why are we drawn to stories of heroic triumph over seemingly impossible circumstances? In our fascination with adventure movies, superheroes, and tales of incredible human feats, do we reveal an inherent desire for something larger and greater in life? Maybe what we think is a need to escape or be entertained is actually a God inspired longing…for the extraordinary.

Best-selling author John Bevere reveals how all of us were “meant for more,” extraordinarily created and intended for a life that is anything but ordinary. Here is the roadmap for your journey of transformation. You are marked for a life that far surpasses the usual definitions of success or fulfillment.

Isn’t it time to pursue your extraordinary life?

About the Author:
Marked by boldness and passion, John Bevere delivers uncompromising truth through his award-winning curriculums and best-selling books, now in more than 60 languages, including Extraordinary, The Bait of Satan, Drawing Near and Driven by Eternity. He is an international speaker and co-host of The Messenger TV program broadcast worldwide.

John enjoys living in Colorado Springs with his wife, Lisa, also a best-selling author and speaker, and their four sons.

What I Have to Say...
I’ve gone through bible studies using John Bevere books before, so I was really excited when his newest, Extraordinary: The Life You’re Meant to Live, came in the mail. We all look up to someone, and whoever that someone is to us they are great because of something they have done, because of who we are. There is an inner longing in us to be extraordinary too, to be someone that others look to for inspiration. This book is about that need God has placed in our hearts to be extraordinary. Bevere biblically points out that God not only put that there but he made us to be extraordinary! He doesn’t put a desire in us without giving us the capabilities to be it.
I don’t know of anyone who does not need to read this book. It will definitely change your life for the better, I know it has mine. How much more joy will you have when you live the life God gave you to live? We miss those teachings of HOW, we learn what God gives us but not how to use us. With biblical examples Bevere shows us the how. So now go out and be Extraordinary.

Kabul 24 by Ben Pearson and Henry Arnold

2009-10-05T20:28:00.003-05:00

What I have to Say...
Kabul 24, by Ben Pearson and Henry Arnold, is about a group known as the “SNI Eight.” The SNI Eight are a group of westerners who work with Shelter Now International. These eight worked in a place called Kabul, located in the Middle East. However, the story is not just about them, it is about their families and the locals that they provided employment for. They are arrested and unjustly punished for only helping a people that desperately needed helping. Their story starts as they are arrested back in the year 2001.
On September 11 of that year America was attacked by terrorists. This happened shortly after the SNI eight were “arrested.” Their prisoners soon become more of abductors, attempting to use the eight as a personal shield from U.S. retaliation as well as for ransom. While this book is an account of their experience, it flows in story-like form. I could not put this book down. I have family that lives in Romania as missionaries, so this book definitely touched a place in my heart. We need to endlessly lift one another up in prayer. A book is good when you can’t stop thinking about it even after you’ve finished. I can’t stop thinking about it.

Purchase the book here..
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595550224&title=Kabul-24&authors=Ben-Pearson-and-Henry-O.-Arnold

OR

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=kabul+24&x=0&y=0


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This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishing

If God Is Good by Randy Alcorn

2009-09-25T00:14:00.002-05:00

Summary:
Every one of us will experience suffering. Many of us are experiencing it now. As we have seen in recent years, evil is real in our world, present and close to each one of us.

In such difficult times, suffering and evil beg questions about God--Why would an all-good and all-powerful God create a world full of evil and suffering? And then, how can there be a God if suffering and evil exist?

These are ancient questions, but also modern ones as well. Atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and even former believers like Bart Ehrman answer the question simply: The existence of suffering and evil proves there is no God.

In this captivating new book, best-selling author Randy Alcorn challenges the logic of disbelief, and brings a fresh, realistic, and thoroughly biblical insight to the issues these important questions raise.

Alcorn offers insights from his conversations with men and women whose lives have been torn apart by suffering, and yet whose faith in God burns brighter than ever. He reveals the big picture of who God is and what God is doing in the world–now and forever. And he equips you to share your faith more clearly and genuinely in this world of pain and fear.

As he did in his best-selling book, Heaven, Randy Alcorn delves deep into a profound subject, and through compelling stories, provocative questions and answers, and keen biblical understanding, he brings assurance and hope to all.

About the Author:
Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspectives Ministries and a bestselling author. His novels include Deadline, Dominion, Edge of Eternity, Lord Foulgrin’s Letters, The Ishbane Conspiracy, and the Gold Medallion winner, Safely Home. He has written eighteen nonfiction books as well, including Heaven, The Treasure Principle, The Purity Principle, and The Grace and Truth Paradox. Randy and his wife, Nanci, live in Oregon and have two married daughters and four grandsons.

What I have to say..
coming soon..sorry it's a BIG book!
Buy it here:

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

"You Were Born for This" by Bruce Wilkinson

2009-09-17T21:27:00.004-05:00

What I Have to Say...You Were Born for This. Just the title of Bruce Wilkinson’s new book says it all. This book is about “predictable miracles.” I know, you’re probably thinking “miracles don’t happen these days.” Has anything ever happened in your life that seemed impossible? Has anyone ever said something to you, and you wondered how did they know that? And have you ever felt the need to do or say a certain thing to only later wonder what in the world would have happened if you didn’t listen to that instinct? If your answer was yes, you have not only witnessed a miracle, but a predictable one at that. Wilkinson gives biblical examples on how we can partner with God, so that He can work through us to perform very personal miracles TODAY! After you read this book you will never have a conversation the same way again. You will constantly be looking for opportunities to partner up with God to bring miracles to people. You will probably even experience several yourself. After a biblically rooted look into miracles, forgiveness, and the very dream God placed in your heart to accomplish His, you’ll never be the same. You Were Born for This!

Watch this video..
http://bit.ly/wGT7l

Purchase book here:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/

Summary

His New York Times phenomenon The Prayer of Jabez changed how millions pray. Now Bruce Wilkinson wants to change what they do next.

Anyone can do a good deed, but some good works can only happen by a direct intervention from God. Around the world these acts are called miracles—not that even religious people expect to see one any time soon. But what would happen if millions of ordinary people walked out each morning expecting God to deliver a miracle through them to a person in need? You Were Born for This starts with the dramatic premise that everyone at all times is in need of a miracle, and that God is ready to meet those needs supernaturally through ordinary people who are willing to learn the “protocol of heaven.”

In the straightforward, story-driven, highly motivating style for which he is known, Wilkinson describes how anyone can be a “Delivery Guy” from heaven in such universally significant arenas of life as finances, practical help, relationships, purpose, and spiritual growth.

You Were Born for This will change how readers see their world, and what they expect God can do through them to meet real needs. They will master seven simple tools of service, and come to say with confidence, “I want to deliver a supernatural gift from God to someone in need today—and I expect to!”

Author Bios:

One of the world’s foremost Christian teachers, Bruce Wilkinson is best known as the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller The Prayer of Jabez. He is also the author of numerous other bestsellers, including A Life God Rewards, Secrets of the Vine, and The Dream Giver. Over the past three decades, Wilkinson has founded several global initiatives, including organizations that recruited and trained thousands of Americans to address hunger, AIDS, and poverty in Africa . Bruce and his wife, Darlene, have three children and six grandchildren. They live outside Atlanta .

David Kopp has collaborated with Bruce Wilkinson on over a dozen bestselling books, including The Prayer of Jabez. He is an editor and writer living in Colorado .

http://bit.ly/19xZ79

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

What’s He Really Thinking? : How to be a Relational Genius with the Man in Your Life by Paula Rinehart

2009-09-08T21:34:00.004-05:00


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What I have to say...
In What’s He Really Thinking? : How to be a Relational Genius with the Man in Your Life, Paula Rinehart uses stories and her professional expertise to give any female insight into how the male brain works. I’m sure most women out there have been utterly stumped by how a man in their life has acted. Well, Rinehart gives the reader those answers and the why behind them! This is a quick read never ceases to capture the reader’s attention. Humans tend to over think and make relationships complicated. Rinehart somehow makes everything that usually seems extremely complicated seem almost simplistic. I took away an understanding that as a single woman I can keep in my back pocket and pull out in the future for use in all current and future relationships of any type. I find the idea to react to someone based on how not only you feel the need to react, but on how they need you to react to simplistically genius! Rinehart’s insight and advice dealing with relationships is useful not just in romantic relationships but in every kind of relationship. If you want to take the guesswork out of relationships; you need to read this!
Buy this book here:
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=0849918804&title=What%27s%20He%20Really%20Thinking

OR here:
http://www.amazon.com/Whats-He-Really-Thinking-Relational/dp/0849918804/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246896663&sr=8-1

This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishing

Fearless (Jacketed Hardcover): Imagine Your Life Without Fear by Max Lucado | Book | Thomas Nelson | Publisher of Christian Products

2009-09-08T12:16:00.001-05:00

Fearless (Jacketed Hardcover): Imagine Your Life Without Fear by Max Lucado | Book | Thomas Nelson | Publisher of Christian Products

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"Fearless" by Max Lucado

2009-09-08T12:12:00.004-05:00


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What I have to say
Fearless, by Max Lucado, is about more than just living fearless; it’s about reacting to every circumstance with faith. Surprisingly enough, Max Lucado books fill my house, yet this is the first one I’ve read. I could not put it down! This is a book in which there is no question God spoke every work through Lucado. I highly believe that every believer needs to read this book. We live in a society that teaches us to do things for ourselves if we want to them to be done right. We really should be surrendering every circumstance and situation to God. This book masterfully points out that a life where every first reaction is faith causes that life to be a fearless one. Once one lets go of that complete faith they tend to fall. Fear is something I do struggle with so I definitely related to this book; I ate up every word and have since been trying to react with faith. It is something we can only continuously strive to become. Just imagine how freeing it would feel to have no anxiety, no fear. The cover’s punch line best sums up this book. “Imagine your life without fear.”
Buy the book here:
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=9780849921391&dept_id=110301&TopLevel_id=110000&title=Fearless&author=Max-Lucado

OR HERE
http://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Imagine-Your-Life-Without/dp/0849921392/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1249314881&sr=8-3

Chech out these links
http://www.thefearlessbook.com/
http://www.maxlucado.com/TownHall
http://www.thomasnelson.com/Fearless

Check out these videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVR0n4KiIyQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRVjHVOlsX4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih_L7w0-_p4&feature=related

This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson

Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament MP3 Set

2009-07-27T18:20:00.004-05:00

Summary

Now the entire New Testament is ready for the Wired Generation.

Today’s youth ingest media at a faster rate than any previous generation. And they can’t get enough! The Word of Promise: Next Generation - New Testament is the perfect way for young multi-taskers to absorb Scripture. This ambitious recording makes the Word accessible to more kids than ever before.

Starring a Hollywood-level cast of young talent including Cody Linley (Hanna Montana, Dancing with the Stars) as Jesus, AnnaSophia Robb (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as Mary Magdalene, Jordin Sparks (American Idol Winner) as Elizabeth, Cobin Bleu (High School Musical) as Peter, Alyson Stoner (Cheaper by the Dozen) as Martha, and narrated by Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings). The project includes informative book introductions by author Max Lucado and his daughter, Jenna Lucado, who is a speaker on the Revolve® Tour.

The Word of Promise: Next Generation is much more than just a word-for-word reading: it’s an all-star cast performing audio drama with a rich original score and Hollywood special effects. When Jesus walks on the water, kids will feel like they’re in the boat. When Peter waits in the courtyard during the Lord’s trial, the fire will crackle. The ambient sounds of the Holy land, the breath-taking musical score, the world-class young actors and the timeless Word of Promise all combine to deliver an unparalleled achievement.

Set includes 24 hours of audio drama on 3 mp3 CDs and a bonus 75 minute Behind-the-Scenes DVD featuring interviews with the actors.

What I have to Say...
Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament MP3 Set is such a great idea for today’s young generation. The famous cast who gave their voices to this project includes Cody Linley, Corbin Bleu and Jordin Sparks with introductions done by Jenna Lucado (yes, Max Lucado’s daughter). WOP is a 24 hour audio drama on three mp3 CDs, which I found perfect to load right onto my iPod, and a behind-the-scenes DVD. One thing I learned, this being my first experience with any audio book, is that audio books are not for me. I simply do not use my iPod enough, so I wasn’t taking full advantage of this audio set. It is easier for me to sit down and read a book than to sit down and listen to my iPod. However, I think this is brilliant, as most teens have their mp3 players permanently attached to their bodies! I did love to listen to a chapter right before bed, the background sound mixed with the voices and my eyes closed made me feel as if I was there. Having my eyes closed gave me the full affect and made the stories real to me. I definitely recommend this set.

This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson

"A Perfect Mess" by Lisa Harper

2009-07-24T19:40:00.002-05:00

To order book go to:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307457882&ref=externallink_wbp_aperfectmess_sec_0526_01

Summary:
Caught up in the self-imposed pressure to do and be all the things they think a Christian woman ought to do and be, countless women are working desperately to convince everyone, including God, that they have it all together. Few have any idea that the Creator of the universe looks at them with delight even when they yell at the dog, drive a minivan littered with French fries, or think bad words about that rude clerk at the store.

A Perfect Mess offers hope to every woman who yearns for a vibrant relationship with God but worries she isn’t good enough or doesn’t do enough to merit His affection. With characteristic authenticity, speaker and author Lisa Harper shares poignant stories from her own imperfect life to showcase the real-life relevancy of the Bible in the lives of modern women.

As she guides readers on a story-driven journey through selected Psalms, they will be inspired to experience for themselves how God’s incomparable love transforms the messiness of life into a gorgeous work of grace.

Author bio:
Lisa Harper is a master storyteller whose lively approach connects the dots between the Bible era and modern life. She is a sought-after Bible teacher and speaker whose upcoming appearances include the national Women of Faith Conferences. A veteran of numerous radio and television programs and the author of several books, she also is a regular columnist for Today’s Christian Woman magazine. Lisa recently completed a master’s of theological studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. She makes her home outside Nashville .

What I Have to Say
In A Perfect Mess, Lisa Harper, tells a story about a great Christian leader who at first was “much more interested in ideas than individuals.” I walk away from this book thinking maybe she should have paid a little more attention to those words she wrote. Right before that she tells how she is convinced that it is rare to find a happy skinny woman, but isn’t that an attack at an individual? Why is that woman skinny? Maybe she just has a really good metabolism, or maybe she is sick and you are seriously giving her a hard time about that? If you read this Ms. Harper please don’t take offense to that and start coming up with ways of how to attack me as another story you tell about a book reviewer suggests. Someone close to me recently was very ill and everyone called her anorexic, while she was fighting death and Crohn’s disease. Unfortunately those two stories really stuck out to me, because the rest of the book is actually a very insightful look into Psalms. The informational inserts where extremely interesting though sometimes the placement was distracting. However, I would recommend this book to any Christian.

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

"Stealing Home" by Allison Pittman

2009-06-05T23:42:00.004-05:00

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601421364&ref=externallink_mlt_stealinghome_eaj_0408_01

Summary:
It’s 1905 and the Chicago Cubs are banking on superstar Donald “Duke” Dennison’s golden arm to help them win the pennant. Only one thing stands between Duke and an unprecedented ten thousand dollar contract: alcohol.

That’s when sportswriter David Voyant whisks Duke to the one-horse town of Picksville , Missouri , so he can sober up in anonymity. He bides his time flirting with Ellie Jane Voyant, his unofficial chaperone, who would rather hide herself in the railway station ticket booth than face the echoes of childhood taunts.

Ned Clovis, the feed store clerk, has secretly loved Ellie Jane since childhood, but he loves baseball and the Duke almost as much–until he notices Ellie Jane may be succumbing to the star’s charm.

Then there’s Morris, a twelve-year-old Negro boy, whose only dream is to break away from Picksville. When Duke discovers his innate talent for throwing a baseball, Morris might just have found his way out.

Four individuals, each living in haunted isolation, each harboring a secret passion. Providence brings them together. Tragedy threatens to tear them apart. Will love be enough to bring them home?

Author Bio:
Allison Pittman spent seventeen years as a high school English teacher, and then shunned the advice of “experts,” quit her day job and set out to write novels that bring glory to God. She relishes inspiring other writers and leading the theater arts group at her church. She and her husband and three sons live in Universal City , Texas .

What I have to say..
coming soon...

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

"Saints in Limbo" by River Jordan

2009-06-05T23:38:00.003-05:00

Saints in Limbo

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307446701&ref=externallink_wbm_saintsinlimbo_eaj_0408_01

Summary:
Ever since her husband Joe died, Velma True’s world has been limited to what she can see while clinging to one of the multicolored threads tied to the porch railing of her home outside Echo, Florida.

When a mysterious stranger appears at her door on her birthday and presents Velma with a special gift, she is rattled by the object’s ability to take her into her memories–a place where Joe still lives, her son Rudy is still young, unaffected by the world’s hardness, and the beginning is closer than the end. As secrets old and new come to light, Velma wonders if it’s possible to be unmoored from the past’s deep roots and find a reason to hope again.

Author Bio:
River Jordan is a critically acclaimed novelist and playwright whose unique mixture of southern and mystic writing has drawn comparisons to Sarah Addison Allen, Leif Enger, and Flannery O’Connor. Her previous works include The Messenger of Magnolia Street, lauded by Kirkus Reviews as “a beautifully written, atmospheric tale.” She speaks around the country and makes her home in Nashville .

What I have to say...
coming soon..

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Mutlnomah Publishing Group

"Night Watchman" by Mark Mynheir

2009-05-29T22:19:00.005-05:00

For options to purchase the book go to:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781590529355&ref=externallink_mlt_thenightwatchman_sec_0414_01

Summary:
Ray Quinn is a tough, quick-witted homicide detective in love with his partner, Trisha Willis. She gives Ray something to live for—something to hope in. Until a barrage of bullets leaves Trisha murdered and Ray crippled.

Struggling with his new physical disability and severe depression, Quinn turns to whiskey, scorn, and a job as a night watchman to numb the pain. But when a pastor and dancer are found dead in an apparent murder-suicide, the pastor’s sister approaches Quinn for help.

Reluctantly, Quinn takes the case and is plunged into the perilous Orlando . Soon he discovers that, not only was the pastor murdered, but the case may be linked to his and Trisha’s ambush. Torn between seeking revenge or responsibility, Quinn is thrust into the case of his life.

Author Mark Mynheir gives readers his most profound police thriller to date with The Night Watchman (first book in The Night Watchman Private Detective Agency Series). Readers of all ages will devour this gripping murder mystery that bristles with tension and intrigue. In a taut cop-style all his own, Mynheir delivers an inside look at the thoughts, feelings, fears, and challenges police officers experience while investigating violent crimes and the lost souls who commit them.

Author Bio:
A detective with the Criminal Investigations Unit of the Palm Bay Police Department, Mark Mynheir investigates violent crimes and writes riveting Christian fiction. A U.S. Marine with a passion for martial arts and firearms training, Mark has worked on narcotics units, SWAT teams, and myriad high-risk situations. His four novels offer a realistic glimpse into the gritty world of law enforcement and the rarely seen raw emotions behind the badge. Mark lives in Florida with his wife and three children.

What I have to Say:
To be quite honest the summary on the back of The Night Watchman by Mark Mynheir didn’t make me jump up and down with excitement to read this novel, but it sounded like it had potential. And that potential didn’t disappoint. Ray Quinn, a retired homicide detective, stuck in a job as a night watchman and drowning his grief and depression over a job related disability in alcohol. When a pastor and dancer are found dead in the apartment building he watches the pastor’s sister cries foul and asks him to help her prove it was not a “murder-suicide.” He eventually agrees and is propelled at first only to prove wrong that the former co-worker that worked the case does not complete his cases in full. The case, he discovers, may be linked to the ambush that lead to his disability and his former partner/fiancé’s death. This encourages him to search for the truth despite warnings from his former boss. Once I committed to this book, I could not set it down. There were many breaks at work I wanted to extend only to read a little more. Maybe it should be said “don’t judge a book by it’s summary.”

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

"Enduring Justice" by Amy Wallace

2009-05-08T21:33:00.003-05:00

Buy the book here
:http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601420145&ref=externallink_mlt_enduringjustice_sec_0330_01

Summary:
In Enduring Justice, Hanna Kessler’s childhood secret has remained buried for over two decades. But when the dark shadows of her past threaten to destroy those she loves, Hanna must face the summer that changed her life and the man who still haunts her thoughts.

Crimes Against Children FBI Agent, Michael Parker knows what it means to get knocked down. And when the system fails and a white supremacist is set free, Michael’s drive for retribution eclipses all else.

A racist’s well-planned assault forces Hanna and Michael to decide between executing vengeance and pursuing justice. When the attack turns personal, is healing still possible?

This thought-provoking novel deals with healing from sexual abuse, the balance of justice and mercy, and maintaining mixed-race friendships in the midst of racial tension. Readers who enjoy investigative thrillers by Dee Henderson, Colleen Coble, and Catherine Coulter, and who watch crime dramas like Law & Order: SVU, Criminal Minds, and Without a Trace will love this book—and the entire series.

Author Bio:
Amy Wallace is the author of Ransomed Dreams and Healing Promises, a homeschool mom, and self-confessed chocoholic. She is a graduate of the Gwinnett County Citizens Police Academy and a contributing author of several books including God Answers Moms’ Prayers and Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Diabetes. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia .

What I have to Say:
When I first received the novel Enduring Justice, by Amy Wallace, I really wanted to read it but was nervous because I had not read her previous works to the series. The summary intrigued me so much that I just went for it. While I may have had a better understanding of the back story and characters if I had read the first two books, I do not think having not read them ultimately took away from my understanding and enjoyment of the story. I could not put this book down!
This novel deals with so many pivotal issues in today’s society. These issues range from sexual abuse to hate crimes that stem from racial discrimination. A main character’s haunted past leads her to healing, truth, love, and the courage to save others from the same tragedy she has had to face. These hate crimes turn person, and a tight-knit group of FBI “families” struggle with the difference between vengeance and justice, leaving the reader to wonder if healing is still possible. Could these brutal attacks have ruined these friendships, co-working relationships, and romantic relationships? I am a reader that loves a good thriller, and Amy Wallace most certainly delivers.

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

"Mama's Got a Fake I.D." by Caryn Dahlstrand Rivedeneira

2009-05-08T21:18:00.004-05:00

Buy the book here:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400074938&ref=externallink_wbm_mamasgotafakeid_sec_0330%20_01

Summary:
Formula for identity loss:

1. Take one multifaceted, intriguing human being.

2. Bless her with a child.

3. Mix with today’s cultural assumptions.

4. Add the demands of motherhood.

5. Presto! All identity except Mom disappears.

For every woman wondering what happened to the unique combination of gifts and abilities she was known for before kids came along, Caryn Dahlstrand Rivedeneira has good news: in Mama’s Got a Fake I.D., Rivedeneira helps moms reclaim their full identity as creative beings, gifted professionals and volunteers, loving friends, children of God—and mothers.

This inspiring and practical guide shows women how to break free from false guilt, learn a new language to express who they really are, and follow God’s lead in sharing their true self with others. After all, motherhood doesn’t have to mean losing one’s identity. Instead, being a mom makes it possible for a woman to discover a more complete identity as the person God made her to be.

Author Bio:
The former managing editor of Marriage Partnership and Christian Parenting Today, Caryn Dahlstrand Rivedeneira has been a trusted voice writing and speaking to women for more than a decade. Today she is the managing editor of GiftedForLeadership.com, an online community for Christian women in leadership. Rivadeneira works from home in the Chicago suburbs, where she lives with her husband and their three children.

What I have to say
Mama’s Got a Fake I.D., by Caryn Dahlstrand Rivedeneira, is a great book for moms, anyone who has a mother, knows a mother, or has an identity to read. It is so easy to loose ourselves, our personal unique identities, in the midst of other’s perceptions of us. Even as a twenty something, single, not even close to having kids yet individual I learned a lot from this book. Rivedeneira poses questions to the reader that will surely make you think.
My favorite and most thought provoking question she throws out is “What do others need to know about you to know the real you?” That one had me thinking for quite a while. This book is well worth it in that it will surely aide in personal growth! With questions, mom stories, and the straight up sometimes not so easy truth you will be taken through a journey. Caryn, you should know that I actually like correcting grammar too, I live in Wisconsin and love it, and your Romania story touched me because I have heard very similar stories to it. (My uncle is a missionary in Romania). There is your start to getting to know the real me.

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

"Dear Mom" by Melody Carlson

2009-05-08T19:34:00.005-05:00

buy the book here:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400074914&ref=externallink_wbm_dearmom_sec_0330%20_01

Summary:
Every mom knows how communicating with a teenage girl can be difficult, even impossible at times. One-word answers. Defensive conversations. Daily arguments. How typical for teens to put up such barriers. All the while, moms truly long to know what their daughters really think.

Best-selling author Melody Carlson, whose books for women, teens, and children have sold more than three million copies, bridges this chasm with trusted insight. She speaks frankly in the voice of the teen daughters she’s written for and she tells it like it is: struggles with identity, guys, friendship, and even parents—it’s all here. The straight-talk to moms covers such things as “I need you, but you can’t make me admit it,” “I’m not as confident as I appear,” and “I have friends. I need a mother.”

Instead of focusing on outward behaviors, Dear Mom looks at a young woman’s heart and reveals to moms:

· how to talk to teens so they hear,

· how to connect despite the differences of perspective or years and experiences,

· and how strengthen the bond every mom and daughter ultimately wants.

The lively chapters in Dear Mom can be dipped into topically or used as a read-through tool by moms and daughters alike to understand what motivates or deflates, troubles or inspires—and just in time for Mother’s Day and all the Mother’s Days ahead.

Author Bio:
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than one hundred books for adults, children, and teens, with sales totaling more than three million copies. Beloved for her Diary of a Teenage Girl and Notes from a Spinning Planet series, she’s also the author of the women’s novels Finding Alice (in production now for a Lifetime-TV movie), Crystal Lies, On This Day, These Boots Weren’t Made for Walking, and A Mile in My Flip-Flops. A mother of two grown sons, Melody lives in central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. She’s a full-time writer and an avid gardener, biker, skier, and hiker.

What I have to say

Dear Mom, by Melody Carlson, is the perfect read for any mom who has moments of struggle or absolute frustration in her relationship with her teenage daughter. While I was never the stereotypical teenager I do think that any mom can find at least something to take from this book and strengthen her relationship with her daughter.
Carlson might have her teenage self stuck in her body, and for your benefit! Through this book she opens the door to a teenager’s mind to the mother. Mom, if you read this book you will know what your daughter is thinking, how she does NOT want you to respond, and ways that will be useful in responding. Written as a letter from daughter to mother Carlson never loses the voice of a stereotypical teenager, even going so far at the beginning of the book to plead with mom to put this book down and not read it because it will not help, and mom’s too busy anyway. So if you two got into a fight because she wants to go to the movies on Sunday but you want her home with you to spend time on Mother’s day, go get this book!

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

"The Shack" by William P. Young

2009-04-10T15:35:00.003-05:00

http://theshackbook.com

What I have to say!
Words cannot express how wonderful a novel “The Shack,” by William P. Young, is. I will try to tell you about it because I am strongly convinced that every person that has eyes to read, or ears to hear, should hear this story.
Missy, a little girl, is kidnapped and presumed dead. This sends her introverted father, Mack even further into himself. One day he gets a note from “Papa” inviting him back to the shack where he discovered Missy was dead. You must understand this one thing; “Papa” is Mack’s wife’s endearing term for God, which only those closest to them know. She had a good relationship with her father, Mack did not.
A friend found out I was reading this book and asked me if I had met God yet. When you read this book you will understand why this question is so incredibly significant. God, through this book, will blow your mind when it comes to who He really is and how your relationship with Him can really be. I can guarantee you that your life will never be the same. So I dare you to read this book. Personal beliefs do not matter, just read it.

"Obsessed" by Ted Dekker

2009-04-10T15:09:00.003-05:00

http://www.teddekker.com
OBSESSED
-Ted Dekker
Published January 2006

Its Los Angeles in the early seventies, and Stephen Friedman is living the groovy southern California life of a real estate wheeler-dealer. Hes making money hand-over-fist and has long ago given up hope of finding the family hed lost in warn-torn Poland. But when a strange, deceased womans papers reveal that she possessed a priceless religious relicand that she may have been his motherStephen becomes hungry for answers.

His hunger just might kill him. As Stephen frantically pursues his familys lost legacy, someone pursues himsomeone equally obsessed with the prize. Looks like the man most obsessed will gain everything. And the loser will lose it all.

In true Ted Dekker style, Obsessed will leave you positively breathless.

What I have to say!
I’m sitting here wondering why I hadn’t read “Obsessed” by Ted Dekker sooner. A generational story spanning over a time of thirty years is one of the best Dekker books I’ve read thus far.
This novel is about two equally obsessed men. One, a real-estate agent living in America with an odd “birthmark” and no clear past. His “birthmark” leads him to his mother after her death and the news that she possessed one of the Stars of David, a very expensive religious relic. He starts his search for the Star and for answers only to find himself in over his head obsessed with a picture of a woman. His obsession turns to finding her, the other star of David.. The other man grew up in a camp ran by his Nazi father. There he learned to hate and obsess over power. Thirsty for this power he obsessively searches for the Stars of David, figuratively and literally.
. Dekker takes you back and forth to each world-that of the parents, who new each other, and their own. The two eventually collide. If you don’t already have an obsession, you better get one. It’s the only way to truly have LIFE.

Also look for his new book..BoneMan's Daughters coming out next week Tuesday!

Christmas Jars-Jason F. Wright

2009-04-10T14:48:00.006-05:00

What I have to say!
Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright is a novel that speaks through the realm of fiction to that of reality. Wright develops a beautiful story interweaving the lives of three families throughout the span of twenty-five years. This “family connection”- a girl and a jar full; of change will surely inspire you to start your own “Christmas Jar.”
A newlywed couple, short on money, decides to start a “Christmas Jar,” saving loose change that at Christmas will be used to purchase gifts. Twenty five years later a mid-twenties woman working her way up in the news reporter world has a terrible year. Broken and lost she stumbles over a “Christmas Jar” on her front doorstep. Determined to find out who the secret giver is and longing for her own front page story she tracks down the family behind this tradition that has turned into so much more than even they imagined.
There are twists to this story that will drop your jaw and make you wonder how you can impact others lives. News stories of Starbucks’ customers paying for the next customer’s drink, the movie pay it forward, and Christmas Jar’s website full of stories proves that humanity does care.

http://www.christmasjars.com
At the Christmas Jars website you can read and post real life Christmas Jar miracles. You can also read reviews; author, event, and contact information. I highly reccoment reading "Cameron's story" the current real life story that is being featured. If that does not bring you to tears, I don't know what will.

"This is Your Brain on Joy" by Dr. Earl Henslin

2009-03-01T23:14:00.002-06:00

This Is Your Brain on Joy by Dr. Earl Henslin

After seeing a segment of a television program about how to brain effects your joy I was really interested in reading This Is Your Brain on Joy, by Dr. Earl Henslin, and learning more. This book is great read for anyone that has a brain!
Henslin takes the reader through each level of the brain, comparing each part to a level of a house which makes it incredibly easy to remember what type of problems over activity in each brain area causes. Then there is a self-test that you can take to figure out what part or parts of your own brain can use some work. Following the test is a chapter on each one. You can read from cover to cover, or read the beginning and skip right to the chapters that will aid in your own health.
Henslin provides information on how to maintain and reach a healthy state of brain. He offers great tips on nutrition from medicine and supplements, to food. He also offers great resources for the reader to easily find a professional in their area and get help. I personally know I’ll be using the great reasons why naps are good for brain health!

This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson

House by Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti

2009-02-26T16:25:00.002-06:00

What I have to say

House by Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti

I read House for two reasons: One; because it’s a Ted Dekker book; two: I kind of want to see the movie. And let me tell you I am not a fan of anything even slightly related to horror. The preview for the movie almost makes me pee my pants! How could I handle a book?! Yes I can handle suspense, but not horror.
I could not set this book down. It really reaches into the heart and directly reflects the battle between evil and good that happens daily in each human heart. I have never seen nor read anything that so vividly reflects what sin does to the human heart and soul. I am so glad that I have found the Light and that the Light has penetrated the darkness that was once in me.
If you ever want to “dive deep” into the waters of the human soul, anything Dekker is a good read-especially House. The end will leave you longing for change, maybe even teary. I sincerely hope that each and every one of you find the Light that can change the darkness and allow you to find your way out of this House. Another “Dekketti” masterpiece.

Go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25e0xgdGZ3k to watch the movie preview

http://teddekker.com/site.php for more on ted dekker and his books

http://www.frankperetti.com/ for more on Frank Peretti and his books

"Marley and Me"-John Grogan

2009-02-03T17:26:00.003-06:00

Go to: http://johngroganbooks.com/index.cgi

Author bio, Q&A, contact info

Books

Events

Blog

Media Clips

Reviews

Share Your Stories

Go to the Marley and Me website: http://johngroganbooks.com/marley/index.html

Books

Author Bio, Q&A, contact info, tour schedule

Blog

Share Your Stories

Book excerpt

photos of Marley

Go to: http://www.harpercollins.com/

What I have to Say:

Marley and Me-John Grogan

Take this from someone who is deathly afraid of dogs, Marley is one worth reading about. Why in the world would someone who is so afraid of dogs choose to read a book about one, especially one so terribly behaved? Simply, because I want to see the movie, but I just had to read the book before I watched the movie.
Let me tell you that I am a Marley fan. In Marley and Me, John Grogan not only tells crazy stories of Marley’s terrible behavior, but takes the reader through a journey with the Grogan family. That family does include Marley. I was hooked from the moment newlyweds John and Jenny went to pick out a puppy to decide whether or not they could nurture kids, to Marley’s old age.
Marley not only made me laugh, and glad that I didn’t have to make the repairs or clean up his messes, but Marley made me cry. I became emotionally involved in this story and by the end I was completely in tears. I probably would have run screaming from Marley, but I am glad to have gotten the chance to read about him. I will definitely see the movie.

"Kiss"-Ted Dekker and Erin Healy

2009-01-27T19:15:00.000-06:00

Kiss
Sometimes dying with the truth is better than living with a lie. After a
car accident puts Shauna McAllister in a coma and wipes out six months of her
memory, she returns to her childhood home to recover, but her arrival is fraught
with confusion. Her estranged father, a senator bidding on the White House, and
her abusive stepmother blame Shauna for the tragedy, which has left her beloved
brother severely brain damaged. Leaning on Wayne Spade, a forgotten but hopeful
lover who stays by her side, Shauna tries to sort out what happened that night
by jarring her memory to life. Instead, she acquires a mysterious mental ability
that will either lead her to truth or get her killed by the people trying to
hide it. In this blind game of cat and mouse that stares even the darkest
memories in the face, Shauna is sure of only one thing: if she remembers, she
dies.
(taken from http://www.teddekker.com/site.php?content=album&album=190934).

Go to http://www.thelostkiss.com/ to:

purchase book
watch a video interview with the authors
Download the first 2 chapters
Link to the authors websites and facebooks
Read more about the book/authors/and get downloads

What I have to say
Kiss-Ted Dekker and Erin Healy
When I heard Ted Dekker's newst novel Kiss was coauthored I was scared! He is by far my favorite author and I was afraid his style wouldn't shine through. The line between Dekker's voice and Erin Healy's cannot be found. Their styles flow together brilliantly, creating an unforgetable thriller. (I'm sure their prior work together helped).
Healy gives some great insight into the mind of the main character, both being female. Or is it Dekker's alter-ego Samantha? (Any Thr3e fans out ther)? Severed family ties; a possibly corrupt family corporation; presidential race; political scandal; family tragedy; human-trafficking; drug trafficking; and lost love gives this story it's tag line of

Heart pounding meets heart warming!
Did I miss anything?
From the first page I was hooked. Every touch revealed a secret, opened Shauna up to an unknown world that I could not get enough of. With every chapter I became more invested in the story and more desperate for answers. Each day I wanted to race home to read more.
Using real world issues and a bit of imagination, Dekker again creates a great thriller. His collaboration with Healy, I'll gladly admit, did not disappoint. The countdown beings...One year till Burn!

"Sinner" by Ted Dekker

2009-01-19T20:11:00.001-06:00

In his thriller Sinner, Ted Dekker sticks to what he does best: challenging the reader of what they know to be good vs. evil. Shining the light on the truth the story leads 3000 believers to a hole of a city called Paradise where the light battles the darkness in the ultimate showdown. This novel is frightenly relevant to what is happening not only in todays world but in our very neighborhoods. Will you be part of the 3000? I know I will!