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Too Close to Home – Revell Book Tour

Posted by html404 on April 13, 2010
in Books

I received the following book in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

The book Too Close to Home was a refreshing change from the historical romances that I usually enjoy and receive for reviews. It is about Special Agent Samantha Cash entering an investigation with Homicide Detective Connor Wolfe to crack the case of what appears to be a series of unsolved murders and disappearances of teen girls. Of course, intertwined within the case is a budding romance too. The story was filled with suspense and intrigue. It kept my attention and made me want to read until I found who committed the crimes.

This story also comes close to home to parents or it should. Due to the advances in technology, we all need to be watchful of our children’s activities online. I don’t think a week goes by without there being an article on how the police have arrested some person for solicitating sex from a minor online. I also found the details of Too Close to Home interesting in how investigators track and find these perpetrators.

Too Close to Home should also give us, as parents, pause as far as how busy we are in relation to how much time we spend with our teens. Teens need us as much, if not more, than younger children because of the many temptations that are bombarding them. Are we available and open and ready to listen to them when they need us? If we aren’t, then they are going to find someone else who is and just who will that person be?

I really enjoyed this suspenseful book and am looking forward to the next book in the Women of Justice Series, since Ms. Eason left me with a cliff hanger at the end of the last chapter! Reading this book was like watching a really good, clean detective show, seriously. Too Close to Home is Book One is the Women of Justice Series.

“Available April 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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The Promise of Morning – Revell Book Tour

Posted by html404 on March 28, 2010
in Books

I received the following book in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

The Promise of Morning

The Promise of Morning
by Ann Shorey

The Promise of Morning is book 2 in the At Home in Beldon Grove series. This story was heart wrenching in some ways. In other ways it was a typical frontier story that showed the strength and endurance the pioneers are known for during such a tough time in our nation’s history. This story was set in Illinois and I haven’t read too many stories from the 1800s that were based in Illinois.

The pioneers faced many controversial issues just as we do today and the towns people of Beldon Grove were no different. Sometimes people are called to stand alone in certain issues/convictions which makes it a lonely road to travel. Our family can certainly understand what that’s like. Having seven children and another on the way in a time when 1.2 children per family is the norm, we definitely stand out in our townhouse community and when we go to public places. Plus the fact that we homeschool, but that isn’t so different anymore since homeschooling is becoming more well known. Most people are very accepting of that fact. It’s the amount of children we have that blows their minds.

I liked this story and the real life struggles the characters experienced, as well as how their faith was strengthened through their trials. So often during tough times it feels like we are at our weakest, but it is on the other side of the trial that life’s next hurdle of hardship show us how the tough times have made us stronger. The Promise of Morning characters endure hardships only to discover their marriages, their communities and families are stronger because of what they experienced during their trials. If only more people today had the endurance and strength of the early pioneers, how much better would individuals, marriages and families weather the storms of life.

“Available March 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Scattered Petals – Revell Book Tour

Posted by html404 on March 26, 2010
in Books

I received the following book in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

Scattered Petals

Scattered Petals is the second book of the Texas Dreams series written by Amanda Cabot. It is set in the wild west era (1856) and deals with very tragic events that occurred as a result of traveling across country from the East Coast to Texas. The experience of the main character, Priscilla Morton is devastating to her spirit and to her faith.

I devoured the book and cried all through out it. What can I say, I am a cry baby (wry smile). This book tugged at all sorts of emotions. I could only imagine what I would do and feel if I were the one who had to go through what Priscilla Morton did.

The way the author wound the story into one of healing, forgiveness, unconditional love and second chances makes it a delightful love story.

I found it hard to write this review because I really didn’t want to give away any of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for younger readers (11-18) until their mom has had a chance to read it first. The bible deals with many of life’s issues and if our children are exposed to scripture then our children will already be familiar with of life’s problems and sins. I would just hate to unnecessarily scare a young woman, especially one who might be prone to the sin of fearing too much.

“Available March 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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A Distant Melody – Revell Book Tour

Posted by html404 on March 14, 2010
in Books

I received the following book free in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

A Distant Melody

A Distant Melody was written by Sarah Sundin, a new and upcoming authoress. After I finished the book, I couldn’t help but compare her to one of my all-time favorite Christian fiction authors, Lori Wick. A Distant Melody engaged me; I didn’t want to put the book down and even declined free pancakes at IHOP on National Pancake Day to stay home to finish it. It is over 400 pages long and I finished it in record time – I didn’t even pull an all-nighter to keep reading.

A Distant Melody is a a heartwarming-heartwrenching story set in the time of World War II. Mrs. Sundin’s detail and research of B-14s had me asking my husband questions about them so I could see if I was picturing correctly how the crew operated.

You know a story is good when the characters come alive to you. After all, that is a huge part of what makes a book a great book. I am already looking forward to the second book.

One thing I will say is that it was pretty predictable in some parts, but other parts had me on my seat – obviously, since I couldn’t put it down. And that’s not to say that there weren’t little things that I didn’t agree with or that could have been left out; there were and I know that most would argue that these “little” things were in keeping with the time of World War II. To that I say, “To each his own.”

“Available March 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Revolve 2010

Posted by html404 on February 20, 2010
in Books

I received a free copy of the following book from Book Sneeze in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

Revolve

I didn’t realize that Resolve was a Bible until it arrived. I thought it was a magazine for young people, but it is the New Testament with a magazine look and design. It certainly brings our present cultural issues to the forefront and will appeal to the younger audience, although it almost seems sacrilegious. I think I understand the concept – the desire to make the Bible more relevant to the younger generation, but I cannot agree with this approach.

I cannot get excited about a New Testament that contains fashion, makeup and dating advice or that is sprinkled with celebrity news, interviews and mission and Bible tips. It saddens me, to be honest. It saddens me that I have to write a negative review and it saddens me that we, as Christians, think that we need to be like the world to reach out to the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps it is my age, but my oldest daughter liked what she saw, even though she admitted it was kind of weird. She likened it to the Seventeen magazine, except Revolve has the Bible in it. She hasn’t even read Seventeen, she’s only seen it in stores.

I can see young people just reading the newsy clips and sidebars and completely overlooking the New Testament. Although it may contain relevant content, we, as Christians are called to be different from the rest of the world around us. We are called to be in the world, but not of it. To me, Revolve is just another attempt to be like the world, but it’s seasoned with biblical content. It may be a hit with some, but not with me. Just make a teen magazine, no need to call it a New Testament Bible.

Revolve retails for $16.99, but Christian Book Distributors (CBD) has it for $11.99.

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Book Review of Pajama School

Posted by html404 on February 17, 2010
in Books

I was sent a complimentary copy of Pajama School in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of this book.

Pajama School

Pajama School was written by homeschool graduate Natalie Wickham. It is a book about her journey as a homeschooled girl, daughter and servant of the Lord.

I was encouraged by Natalie’s story, yet in some ways it made me feel inadequate, only because she and her family were extremely involved in the homeschooling community and ministry. That just hasn’t happened for our family, yet anyway.

I believe that Pajama School isn’t just hope for homeschool moms, but for our growing young daughters. I couldn’t help but think of my oldest at different points in Natalie’s journey because Natalie is the oldest child of a larger than normal homeschool family and so is our oldest daughter. Our daughter has already asked to read this book and I will gladly allow her to. However, since she has a “wee” tendency to share what she reads, I asked her to wait until I was finished and wrote my review. I look forward to reading her review of it, as I think it will be inspiring to her; it will be interesting to see if I am right. 🙂

This is definitely a book that Christian parents / homeschooling families can glean from. Natalie is a testimony to her parents and to the Lord for how He has graciously used her during her years of singleness, under the guidance of her parents. Even if you don’t homeschool, it will allow you to understand what it means to homeschool -from a graduate student’s perspective.

May the Lord bless her as she continues to seek and serve Him in all areas of her life.

More Resources and where to buy Pajama School:
http://www.sibropublishing.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=1&category_id=1&vmcchk=1
http://www.pajamaschool.com/blog/

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Book Review – Miracle in Sumatra

Posted by html404 on February 10, 2010
in Books

I received this book for free in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of Miracle in Sumatra.

MiracleInSumatra

Miracle in Sumatra is a children’s storybook written by Jeanne McNaney. This is Ms. McNaney’s second children’s book. Both books have been written in a way that will help parents and teachers educate children about wildlife conservation and endangered species preservation. A portion of the sales from her books also goes to support each of these causes.

This cute story is about a young orangutan named Gus who meets a young human girl. It is a story that teaches children what can happen when man gets greedy and forgets to think about what is best for animals and the environment. Gus is called upon to help his parents and the rest of his species with the help of his new human friend. With the encouragement from his guardian angel, he exhibits bravery and belief in himself in a dangerous situation that saves the whole community of orangutans and challenges the views of human trappers. Other virtues “Gutsey Gus” exhibit are compassion, forgiveness, love and strength.

Our six younger children said that they liked this book. They thought it was “good”, “interesting” and “cute”. It is definitely written in such a way to appeal to the younger audience and their imagination.

Miracle in Sumatra is available at:
•Amazon.com
•BarnesAndNoble.com
•Borders.com
•Buy.com

This book is a hardcover and retails for $16.95.

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