Three's A Charm...

 

After reading Ollie Chandler's best-seller, "Deadline", which moved me beyond measure,I couldn't resist giving the other two in this set a go.  As with the first, both Dominion and Deception were great mysteries, but more than that, their spiritual overtones were compelling.  I love love LOVE the author's vision of Heaven and the idea that through all of the bad we are often bombarded with here in the world - God is always good in the end.

Themes such as race, friendships, soul-searching, and the reason for hope pervade all tangled in a great story that both Christians and non-Christians alike will not only enjoy, but surely come away with something they didn't have when they started.

*Thank you Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing for this free copy in exchange for my simple, yet honest, review.

Finally...a book Review!

I suppose you could say that I'm not a "fluffy bunnies and hearts" kind of girl.  When I get mad, I get mad.  When my day is going...well...NOT the way I'd planned - you'll know it, not only by the look on my face, but by the fact that my lips won't move when I speak through that clenched-up jaw.

I've hated that about myself for a long time and begged God to help me be a different kind of person. I even promised to try to bond with some fluffy bunnies.

 Until now....

The Unglued Devotional by Lysa Terkeurst was, quite obviously, penned just for me - just for all of us that feel "out of control" and can't seem to rein in our emotions, try as we might.  Lysa even goes far enough to show that, under certain circumstances and if done through the acceptance of God's grace with the realization that we aren't perfect and never will be...that's we're OK!

With titles like, "Resist the Funk", "When my Heart Feels Desperate", and my personal favorite - "Pretending I'm Fine, Proving I'm Right", there is sure to be many quiet moments spent with this devotional that every woman can relate to within these pages!

This book had me giggling, crying, but most of all, hopeful in my walk with our wonderful, forgiving, grace-giving Lord. 

*Thank you Booksneeze.com for the free copy in exchange for my personal, honest review.

Book #4

"Mystery is the food of the creature's mind.  Your people love to read their mysteries, but most of them do not devote their attention to the grand mysteries of the universe, the mysteries rooted in the Creator himself." p.78

Oh, how this resonated with me when I read it!  I love to read a good mystery - hours of reading to find out "who dunnit"...missing so much detail in the process...

Mr. Alcorn's mystery was a totally different journey for me.  I, of course, was interested in the quest of the main character to solve the mystery involving the death of his two friends...but the story was in the details.  I was completely taken by surprise.

You see, it wasn't that long ago that I would have completely overlooked this book.  A Christian mystery novel?  Huh?

Truth be told, the mystery was the least interesting part for me.  It was the connection I felt with Jake, caught between his worldly friend, Doc; wrapped up in himself, women (other than his wife,) money and getting ahead - all while doing morally questionable things to achieve his goals - and his friend Finney, saved and dedicated to being an example - trying desperately to ensure that his lifelong friends were saved as well.  Jake was afraid of the life Doc lead, but was equally afraid of living the life Finney had chosen - afraid of making promises he couldn't keep and believing in something he didn't understand. Life was just easier with blinders on.

There's obviously so much more to this book - here's where you can find the official breakdown. I've never been one to re-write something the publisher can tell you much better than I can.)

I absolutely love this author's discussion of one of the character's experience of Heaven too.  Though Randy Alcorn admits that his rendition is totally fictional, based soley on his interpretation of Biblical truth...I found myself hoping he was right...and I will never look at a pregnant woman the same again! (Yeah, you'll have to read it to see what I mean.)

In the end, I guessed totally wrong on the mystery part - which I thought was way cool.  There's nothing worse than having it figured out half-way through.  And there was no racing through this time - I fully enjoyed the whole book.

Will definitely be looking into other Alcorn books!

*Thank you to WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book # 3

What drew me to this book initially was the destination and purpose behind the main character’s mission. Though Sophia is “dismayed” at its seemingly dismal prospects, the idea of traveling to the Dakotas to work with Native American children seems dreamlike to me.  But, of course, one must think of the times…and the circumstances.  (You can read more about those circumstances here.)

What kept me reading this book was Sophia’s realistic vulnerability and voice, coupled with the strength she found to overcome the many, sometimes very dangerous, obstacles that life in the Territories afforded – often times against the very people and agencies established to help missions like hers.  (That and the fact that this strength came from the right source, in my eyes – His word and promises – not just the dumb luck that authors for some reason often choose to resolve conflict in their stories.)

The love story enveloped in beautifully barren scenery between believable characters never seemed sappy, but often kept me wondering if it would ever blossom to fulfillment…but the answer is something you will have to discover for yourself!

Great, easy, but page-turning read!

*Thank you to Booksneeze for providing a free e-copy for me to read in exchange for an honest opinion.

Book #2

"The truth is, as long as we try to control everything around us, we will feel out of control and overwhelmed." p.2

So, that's where I was when I picked out this book. 

Tired.

Overweight.

Overwhelmed...

...and hungry, as usual.

I was extremely intrigued by Ms. Shepard's suggestions to overcome these emotions and, in the meanwhile substitute some of the comfort foods I'd come to depend on to get me through "those days".

But, not only were there recipes for the body, but recipes for the soul to go along with them...and they were wonderful.

1.Exercise not just your body but your spirit.
2.Hydrate your body and soul.
3.Eliminate excess in life.

I tried her recipe "Hummus with Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato" and fell in love...and found a great dip to bring to EVERY potluck I go to...ever.

Between the great food and the fellowship, this book has all the "fixings" (yes, pun intended) to coach you to that new attitude - both about life and food.

For me though, personally, on the more desperate end of "deprived and depressed" - I found this book to be sweet, but...in all honesty, I read it while downing an entire bag of Sour Cream and Onion Ruffles.

So, I guess I need to keep reading...

Onward and Forward!

* Thanks to Tyndale Publishers for providing me a copy of this book for free in exchange for my own, honest review...which I gave freely and in my own words.

Book #1

I have struggled for years with the idea of "technology" and when the "E-readers" started showing up, I swore them off without even looking at them.  There is nothing...NOTHING....better than a book; a real life, made out of paper, shiny covered, heavy book.  I love the smell of them, the feel of them, paperback or hardback...holding a pile of them makes me happy - giddy even. The older, more worn out, the better.  I love a book with its own story... and not just the one on the pages.

But, admittedly, curiosity got the better of me.  And some of the things I found myself wanting to read ONLY came in e-book form.  Call it pure stubbornness, but my brain just will not let me read and comprehend more than a few paragraphs on the PC screen...so, my willpower faltered and I mentioned that I was looking to buy a Kindle.

Not long after, one showed up at my door.  (Thank you Mom and Dad.)

I still rebelled.  I put a couple of things on it.  I read my email.

But I wasn't going to become dependent...

...that is, until people (brilliant people, I might add) started to put up lists of books that you could get from Amazon for free - or at least on the way cheap.


I now have over 30 books on my Kindle.

Ooops.

Buuut....I still would never trade my "real" tomes for the ones I've got digitally stored.  In fact, when I read a good one from cyber-space...I immediately buy it in print!!
 
This latest read has already been ordered.  :)

Perusing my daily list of cheap-o books, I skimmed by the words "Kearsley has been compared to Gabaldon..."

SCREEeeEEECH!

Pant..pant...this person with a book on the CHEAP LIST has been compared to my FAVORITE author!!?

So I just had to read the review - more enticing words like "Scotland" and "Scottish" and "Scot" were there...so, in my  mind I heard, "Surely this book was just "on sale"...not actually 'cheap.'  I have to just be getting an amazing deal...did you see that review???!  SCOTLAND!  GABALDON!!"

 Rather impatiently, I used the "Buy with One-Click" on my Amazon account to download.  (**WARNING*** This button is dangerous.  If you have a weak will, an itchy trigger finger...anything...avoid installing this on your Amazon account!  I am currently in therapy...no, really...)

People.  This was a great book.  The only way I can think to express just how good is to give you a bit of "the goings on" in our home the past few weeks...

We got a puppy for Christmas.  A tiny puppy that needed nursing, burping (seriously), butt wiping, discipline...I swear it was like I had a newborn again.  I slept for a total of  maybe 37 minutes a night for, like, 9 days.

I. am. tired.

Then, I find this book.  I really only have a chance to read a chapter or two for a while, but as each page passes...things get more pressing.

I get wrapped up in an incredibly accurate historical account of the Jacobites, the attempts of King James to reclaim the Scottish throne...okay, sure, call me a Dork-a-saurus Rex - but this was all stuff I had studied in school not a year ago.  LOOK!  LOOK!  I'm using my major! <lol!>

Then there were the depictions of Scottish scenery; green landscape shrouded in mist and shivering cold quelled by warm, cozy fires...

and the <shiver> dialogue.  That Scottish brogue. <shiver again>

And that's all wrapped up in the completely believable scenario of a present day writer with "genetic memory" of a time (and love) long past....

Have I said <shiver> yet??

Well, the puppy eventually started sleeping for more than an hour at a time...I could get him in his kennel at about 9:30 and if I ran upstairs and hit the pillow immediately, I could get 5-6 hours of sleep.

er...Did I mention that Scottish brogue?

Well, last night, I didn't even try to get to bed at all. The book had to be finished before I could sleep. 

Back to the 37 minutes routine...
...but...heck!

What else is caffeine for besides the "day after a great book had to be finished" hangover?! :)

Truly an excellent start to my reading adventures in 2013!!

The Best Failure...EVER!

Well, it's obvious that I won't hit my goal of 39 book reviews, or even come close to reading all of the books on my list.

The experiment failed.

But you know what? I'm okay with that...

I have read some amazing books this year - many that I would have never picked up if it weren't for the advice of others. And I know, personally, that I read over 39 books - but counting ones I've already read, or that I read to the girls just didn't seem right...though I enjoyed them, every last one.

So, do I give up the experiment for 2013?

Absolutely not.

 This time, I am going to be less structured and start the new year with 40 blank spaces. And I will fill in the list at the end of the year!

 I cannot wait to get started! 

I'm looking for any and all of your suggestions for books to read in 2013...starting NOW! 

Onward and Forward!