"The Shack" by William P. Young

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!