Nancy Famolari's Author Spotlight

A Family Nightmare: Defending Jacob

2012-02-01T07:21:00.000-08:00

First District Attorney, Andy Barber's,fourteen-year-old son, Jacob is accused of murdering a classmate.Whether he's guilty or not, the arrest throws a once happy familyinto chaos. The big question for the parents is: Did he do it? Andyis convinced, almost unbelievably at times, that his son is innocent.Laurie, the mother, isn't so sure. She remembers problems fromJacob's early childhood that Andy refuses to believe signifyanything. When Andy is finally forced to confess that his father,Bloody Billy, is in prison for murder, Laurie's world collapses.

The opening of this book was completelyenthralling. We are in Andy's head and against all logic he simplywon't confront the idea that Jacob could be guilty. However, the bookis very long and after awhile this complete lack of questioningbegins to wear. It feels unreal.

The legal background is interesting andgenerally well done. However, I found the transcript portions of thegrand jury testimony unrealistic. Andy, the witness, seems to beplaying the role of the judge when he calls the Assistant DistrictAttorney by his first name and asks him to restate questions. I foundit hard to believe that the judge in a real grand jury investigationwould have allowed the obvious animosity to go on.

I liked the book and enjoyed readingit. The opening portray of Andy draws you in. However, as the bookdrags on the author seems to have trouble sustaining the head in thesand portrayal of Andy. I think perhaps because the book is so long,the twist at the end didn't feel real. It seemed like a literaryartifice. However, the book is well worth reading if you like unusualcharacter portrayals and court room drama.

I reviewed this book as part of the Amazon Vine Program.

Growth Through Tragedy: The Hour Before Dawn

2012-01-30T07:06:00.000-08:00

Tragedy comes to Father John. Hismother and sister, healers living together apart form the village,are accused by the villagers of witchcraft. Several men of thevillage take it on themselves to rid the village of this satanicinfluence. John's mother is killed, burned to death in her house. Hissister is raped. The horror of it almost causes John to lose hisreason. But the community is there with prayers and love.

This is another book about the power ofcommunity. Although each man is imperfect, they are able to comforteach other, strengthen their brothers, and through prayer bringsomeone back from the crucible of tragedy. The characters in thisbook are wonderful. No one is perfect, but they're real people;people you'd like to know. I also love the plot. This is not a tidybook where everything is made right. As in real life, people gothrough a horrible experience and end up stronger, but they're stillhuman with all the faults of humanity.

I highly recommend this book,particularly if you're dealing with grief or loss. Like the titlesays, the hour before dawn can be the darkest part of the night, butthe golden light of dawn is coming. This story holds out the hope ofhealing from even the worst tragedy and shows how people can help andstrengthen each other with God's love.

I reviewed this book for Crosswaypublshers.

More of a Growth Experience for Maisie than an Elegy

2012-01-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

Eddie Pettit, a gentle giant who lovedhorses, is dead. In spite of being slow, Eddie was loved by thepeople of his neighborhood, which is the same neighborhood Maisiegrew up in. The costermongers, men who own horse-drawn vegetablecarts, were Maisie's strong supporters when she was growing up. Whenthey come to her to find out whether Eddie was murdered, she can'trefuse.

Searching for the answers to Eddie'sdeath, leads Maisie to an examination of her own life. Finding theanswer to how Eddie died puts Billy, one of her employees, in seriousdanger. It also makes Maggie think about how she interacts withpeople and whether her good intentions are more helpful or hurtful.It also raises questions about her relationship with James and leadsto a great deal of soul searching.

The book is much more a story ofMaisie's growth that a serious mystery. Although she looks for clues,she spends a great proportion of the book thinking about her life andwho and what she is. This is fine, if you're more interested incharacter development that a good mystery. I found the character ofJames, Maisie's lover, too good to be true. He seems to have no roleexcept to love Maisie no matter how she treats him.

I found the writing irritating inplaces. It's it hard to believe that people, even before World WarII, talked in complete paragraphs when they were having aconversation. Also the description is rather stilted in places. Ipresume this is supposed to be like a book written in that era.However, the story is good and well worth the trouble of readingthrough rather stilted dialogue.

I enjoyed the book, and if you're aMaisie Dobbs fan, it's a good addition to the series.

I reviewed this book as part of the Amazon Vine Program.

A Glimpse of the Gilded Age

2012-01-28T08:00:00.001-08:00

Newton Stokes and Edith Minturn grew upin one of the most glittering eras of the United States. Born towealth, they enjoyed elaborate homes and European vacations. ForNewton, there was extensive education often with study and travel toother countries. For Edith, there were coming out parties and aneducation fitting a socialite. Both people rose above their class.Edith's beauty, portrayed by Sargent and French, made her the idealtype of “new” woman. Instead of following his father into thefamily business, Newton struck out on his own and became anarchitect. Both were supporters of social causes and tried to betterthe conditions of the poor. Most of all they loved New York. Thislove was eventually their undoing when Newton became obsessed withproducing the “Iconography,” a record in pictures, and maps,extensively annotated, that preserved the history of New York.

I highly recommend this book for anyoneinterested in the history of, not only, New York, but the UnitedStates. The book tells a fascinating story woven through the lives oftwo unique individuals. It is not a traditional love story. Rather itis the tale of two people who grew together and helped each otherthrough the ups and downs of life. I very much enjoyed it.

I reviewed the book as part of the Amazon Vine Program.

Don't be Quick to Judge Others

2012-01-24T08:22:00.000-08:00

The Idaho Territory isn't what Shannonhas in mind for her life. She loves Virginia and looks down on theunkempt miners and cowboys in Grand Coeur. The Civil War is raging and her father, ReverendAdair, has taken a parish there. She decides to accompany him,but with poor grace.

Mathew loves driving a stagecoach. Hehas no desire to be a Wells Fargo Agent. He takes the job thinkingit's only temporary while he provides a home for his ailing sister,Alice, and her son, Todd. When Todd and Alice arrive, he realizesthat he's taken on a much greater responsibility. Alice is dying.

When Shannon agrees to take care of thedying Alice, she's sure a Northerner and a Southerner can neverbecome friends, but they do, and she finds herself drawn to Matthewas more than a friend.

I recommend this book because of theunderlying messages. The book is a traditional romance. Thecharacters and plot are professionally crafted, but don't stand out.I was, however, impressed with two underlying messages. Shannonand Matthew didn't want to be where they were, but God had a plan,and they both learned that God's plan is often better than thatconceived by man.

Shannon also learned that people fromdifferent backgrounds can come to value each other. It's a goodlesson for today. Too often we're quick to judge those who aredifferent from us and in doing so we miss opportunities.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

A Good Message

2012-01-19T07:05:00.000-08:00

It's not enough to sit in the front pewon Sunday and sing hymns. We must surrender our will to God and livewith Jesus Christ within. The is the message of Re-Created forGreatness. Boafo tells us how to allow the spirit of Christ todwell within us, but cautions that it isn't easy. We must turnaside from the easy ways of the world and truly seek God throughJesus Christ.

This book is well worth reading. It's agood message. My only quarrel with the book is that it's veryrepetitious. In one respect this is good. It sounds like Boafo istalking to you. In another, it's distracting. You feel like you'rereading the same thing over and over.

I recommend this book. It makes youthink and, hopefully, lead a more Christian life, always rememberingthat it isn't easy.

I reviewed this book as part of theBooksneeze Program.

What You Can Do to Save America

2012-01-13T10:43:00.000-08:00

This book should be read by allAmericans who are frustrated by the way the current administration istrying to change America. Our country was not founded as a socialistnation and the vast majority of citizens don't want to change to thatform of government. We are the heirs of the founders of this country.They were strong, religious people who endured many hardships toachieve freedom of religion and the ability to govern themselves.

In the beginning, the religious sectsinhabiting the country were separated not only by doctrine, but bydistance. In the mid-seventeen hundreds, the Great Awakening changedthat. Families and whole congregations traveled hundreds of miles tohear preachers like Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and others.Attending these large open-air sermons brought people into contactwith their neighbors in other colonies and began to foster the spiritof unity that allowed the thirteen diverse colonies to cooperate andfight for their freedom in the revolution.

This book not only gives the history ofone of the factors that led to the revolution, it tells you what youcan do to reclaim America today: pray, vote, become informed, andwork within the system to make changes. As a united people, we canget the government we want. We don't have to abdicate ourresponsibilities. The founders were a very strong people. We need toexercise out strength again to build the country we want.

I highly recommend this book. If youthink America is on the wrong path, the book will give you much foodfor thought. We must recognize our reliance on God and allow hisspirit to work through us as it did in the Founding Fathers.

I reviewed this book as part of theBooksneeze Program.

2012-01-09T04:23:00.000-08:00

Ally Green has been running away for 40years. Reluctantly, she returns home to Molasses Creek to bury herfather. She knows she should stay, but she's itching to run again.She chose to be an airline stewardess because she's constantly on themove, running away from so many things: the family that tied herdown, her love for her neighbor across the creek, Vesey Washington,and mostly from the loss of her daughter, who was stolen as an infantin Nepal.

I enjoyed the setting in this book.Both Molasses Creek and Nepal are well described. However, I hadtrouble with the characters. Ally had a life of privilege, but shechose to run from it. She left college and eventually becamepregnant, but didn't marry the father. Then the baby was stolen inNepal. Through all this her parents, particularly her father, wereher rock, yet she ran away from them. Vesey Washington, her friendfrom childhood, seems almost a stereotype of the the good blackmanfrom the sixties. In fact, racial tensions sixties style form much ofthe background of the book. The daughter, Sunila, is another stockcharacter. She is obsequious and timid. It's not surprising havingbeen a low caste carver in a stone quarry in Nepal, but the wholesituation seem utterly fantastical.

I can recommend this book only if youlike a morality play. The characters seem unrealistic, as does theplot. The descriptions of place are the best part of the book.

I reviewed this book as part of the Book Sneeze Program.

Cinematographers Talk About Creativity and the Importance of Light

2012-01-06T04:56:00.000-08:00

Light is the theme that connects theseinterviews. Light sets the mood, enhances emotion, defines character,and tells the story. Almost without exception the cinematographers talked about images, how to tell the story, and how to help theactors give their best performance. When they discussed cameras,lenses, light meters and other tools of their craft, they did it inthe contest of creating an effect. But most of them said the use of the tools should be second nature so that the cinematographer canrely on his eye and intuition.

I loved this book. I'm not a film buff,but I am highly interested in creativity. This book gave me anintensive look at cinematographers, and how they use the tools oftheir craft to bring original work to the screen. I was particularlyfascinated by the almost reverent way they talk about light. Severalof them discussed lighting, where you place the lights to get aparticular effect. Others discussed light in a more abstract way, howyou use the textures of light and color to create effects that tellthe story.

I highly recommend this book not onlyfor students of cinematography, but for anyone interested in thecreative process. The great cinematographers, almost withoutexception, talked about studying painting, literature, and sculptureto enhance their understanding of the visual image and story. Peoplein any of these disciplines should listen to the cinematographers.The feedback from the art of film can enhance the understanding ofother art forms.

My one reservation about the book isthat the size makes it difficult to hold and read. It's a marvelousformat for the pictures, but clumsy to hold. It's not just a picturebook. The text is fascinating and should be read. It's worth theextra effort.

I reviewed this book as part of the Amazon Vine Program.

Salem Witch Trials, the Occult, Lunatic Asylums and Murder

2012-01-03T11:45:00.001-08:00

A bizarre crime is committed inPortland Maine in 1892. A prostitute is found dead, but this is not atypical murder. Her body is placed in a the shape of a pentagram,stuck through the throat with a pitchfork, and a saying in Abenaki,an Indian language, is written on a beam above her. Archie Lean, anew Deputy Marshall, is given the task of finding the madman whocommitted this outrageous crime. Because of his Indian heritage anddetection skills, Percival Grey is called on to assist in theinvestigation. At first the two men, don't get on, but as Leanrecognizes the importance of Grey's skills he increasingly relies onhim.

In addition to the occult, the SalemWitch trials are heavily figured in the mystery. The two detectives,trying to unravel the connections between the crime and those thatfollow, visit a lunatic asylum, an Indian traveling show, and thePortland and Harvard Libraries. They are ably assisted in theirsearch by Helen Prescott, a historical researcher, and her uncle, Dr.Steig, the coroner.

I recommend this book if you likeperiod mystries, are fascinated by the ocult, or interested in theSalem witch trials. The book uses them all and manages to tie themtogether to make a very readable mystery. The book is well done andwill keep you turning pages. A few of the sections drag with moredescription than action, but that will appeal to some readers. Ithoroughly enjoyed the trip to Portland in the 1890's.

I reviewed this book as part of theAmazon Vine Program.

The Tyndale Bible and the Reformation in Tudor England

2012-01-03T11:07:00.000-08:00

Europe was in the throes of theReformation. Martin Luther had published his 95 theses. Common peoplewere looking avidly for more information on what it meant to be aChristian. The Bible was not accessible to the common man. Tyndalefelt the challenge. He wanted a Bible that the plowboy could read andbegan the translation of the Greek New Testament into English. Therewere many clerical abuses and Tyndale, like other reformers, feltthat people should be able to judge the quality of their religiousexperience and decide by reading the Bible, whether the tenetsproposed by the clergy were the based on the will of God, or on thedesires of a debased clergy.

This was the era of Henry VIII. Hisqueen, Catherine, was a staunch Catholic, but the love of his life,Anne Boelyn, leaned toward the Reformation. Caught in the religiousstruggle and with his desire for a son, he came down on the side ofthe Reformation. Ultimately, he separated the English church fromRome. I found the historical perspective of Tyndale's translationfascinating. Teems has written a book that not only gives us a clearpicture of Tyndale's struggles, but of his era peopled with SirThomas Moore, Cardinal Wolsey, and numerous other larger than lifecharacters.

I highly recommend this book not onlyfor people who wish to understand the history of the English Bible,but for those who are interested in the Tudor period. The Teems bookis scholarly, but it's also easy to read and draws you into Tyndale'sstory.

I reviewed this book as part of theThomas Nelson Book Sneeze Program.

Scholarly, But Very Readable

2011-12-27T06:26:00.000-08:00

Sister Queens traces the parallel livesof Katherine of Aragon and her sister Juana, Queen of Castile.Daughters of Isabella and Ferdinand, the girls were raised to realizethat their role in life was to increase the power of the Spanishdynasty and cement relationships with other nations. Things startedwell for both girls. Katherine, a favorite of Henry VII, marriedPrince Arthur in a magnificent ceremony. Juana married Philip ofBurgundy, the love of her life. There the lives of the two womenbegan to slide toward tradegy. Arthur died and Katherine married hisbrother, Henry. This marriage eventually ushered in the break betweenthe Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. Juana's Philipwas consistently unfaithful and power hungry. When, unexpectedly, shebecame Queen of Castile, he determined to take the power for himself.

I highly recommend this book. Not onlyare the sisters sympathetically portrayed, but the author addressessome the mysteries of the Tudor period. Was Katherine's marriage toArthur consummated? While the author doesn't give a definitiveanswer, she does present a comprehensive review of the evidence. WasJuana mad, or the victim of her male relatives hunger for power?Again, there is no way to say for certain. Juana's behavior was oftenerratic, but being imprisoned, she had good reason to try to get herown way in small things.

While this book is not a comprehensivehistory of the Tudor period, it gives valuable insights into many ofthe leading characters of the day. I particularly liked theinterweaving of the sister's stories. It made the glittering dance ofkings and queens across Europe much more understandable. In thisregard, the genealogy charts were outstanding. It's very hard toremember who was married to whom and where they reigned. My onlyquibble is that because the marriages were so important, I would haveliked to have that date as well as the dates of birth and death. Avery enjoyable view of a fascinating period.

Learning to Let Go

2011-12-18T06:05:00.000-08:00

In this sequel to Softly andTenderly, Jade is trying to heal from Max's betrayal. She stilldoesn't trust him, but she's fallen in love with Asa his two-year-oldillegitimate son. Max returns from the Outpost Rehab Ranch in Texas where he has been coaching football for the Randall County reccenter team. Now Jade and Max have to figure out how to become afamily again or whether it's still possible.

This sequel is a good follow on toSoftly and Tenderly. Jade and Max now have to face theproblems that drove them apart. The book handles this well, althoughI still find Jade's inability to let go of her hurt a bit juvenile.Max still comes across so understanding it's hard to believe he's forreal. I missed the interchanges between Jade's mama and hermother-in-law, June. Mama is dead, but June is pretty much out of theaction. I was disappointed in her major scene. In my opinion, it wastoo dramatic to be realistic.

I thought the theme of letting go washandled very well. Even when we know we have to move on, it's hard toleave our things, our homes, and our familiar routine. We feel thatwe're losing so much, it's hard to see the gain.

I recommend this book if you'restruggling with change, and particularly if you enjoyed Softly andTenderly.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Die to a Self-centered Life

2011-12-16T06:50:00.000-08:00

In Die Young, Hayleyand Michael DiMarco make a good case for turning your life upsidedown. Die to live more fully. The self-centered life is a kind ofdeath. Once you die to that life as Hayley points out: worry, stressand doubt disappear and you find peace. Dying to your pleasurecentered existence leaves the way open to live as Jesus intended.

This is a very important book. It points out how much of ourunhappiness is due to the selfish lives we live. My favorite chapteris about stuff. How many of us feel trapped by all the things we haveand even more by the things we want. Michael confesses that he lovesstuff and uses it as a drug. Buying is supposed to make you feelbetter, but in the end you're left with stuff. Give up yourattachment to things and you have more peace, more time for family,and less stress. I thought that chapter rang with truth.

I found the last two chapters more of a stretch. The book makes anexcellent case for submission to God and Jesus Christ. “Thy will bedone.” is an extremely powerful prayer. Submission to one'shusband, as opposed to defiance, is clearly a good thing, but I feltthe discussion was pushing the concept. Cooperation might be a betterconcept in today's world than submission.

Likewise I found the last chapter on confession rather strained.Confession is clearly a good thing. However, even Michael, in hisconfession, suggests that building a culture where confession isencouraged is difficult. I think the book makes a laudable try atexpressing the importance of confession, but I don't think the answeris clear about how to implement it.

I recommend this book. The confessions of Hayley and Michael thataccompany the text are particularly helpful in illuminating thediscussion. It makes the book very human.

A Useful Bible Reference

2011-12-06T04:30:00.001-08:00

The Proverbs in the Bible are one ofthe most useful sections for everyday use. Most of them have foundtheir way into everyday wisdom. However, the arrangement in the Bibleis not conducive to easily locating the proverb you want. Otherreference books, such as Bartlett's Quotations can be used to find aspecific proverb, but the proverbs are not necessarily presented inthe most current Biblical translation.

Dallas has categorized the proverbs sothat they are easily found under key words. While the categorizationmay not be perfect, it provides a good start for locating the proverbyou want. I was also pleased to note that Dallas uses the New KingJames Version of the Bible. It's, in my view, a good translation forpreserving the essence of the Bible as intended by the authors.

I think this is an excellent reference.It can be used by lay people and is also a handy reference for sermonpreparation and for Bible study groups. I highly recommend this bookas an addition to your library of Bible study tools.

I reviewed this book as part of theThomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

The Case for Literal Bible Translations and the Excellence of the ESV

2011-12-04T13:04:00.001-08:00

The Bible is a literary book filledwith poetry, metaphor and flowing prose. Ryland makes the case thatthese qualities should be maintained in translation and that aliteral translation does this best. The Bible is a book to be readaloud and savored , as we savor good poetry. It shouldn't be treatedas a throwaway dime novel and the poetry and prose relegated to thestandard of informal communication.

Ryland traces the evolution of theliteral translation philosophy of the Bible from Tyndale through theKing James Version and the Revised Standard Version. I found thehistory of translation fascinating. Translation isn't easy under anycircumstances, particularly when the translators try to be true tothe exact meaning and wording of the original author and also try tomake the text accessible to a modern audience. I think he does anexcellent job of showing how the ESV committee tried to maintain thisstandard.

At the other end of the spectrum fromliteral translation is dynamic equivalence. Ryland's examples make agood case for how much of the literary quality of the Bible is lostin this style of translation. No matter how good the editor orinterpreter, it's very difficult to maintain the quality of theoriginal if too many additions and substitutions are made.Personally, I find it degrading and arrogant to assume that atranslation must be aimed at the lowest common denominator, in thiscase a sixth grade reading level, and that the general public can'tbe trusted to interpret poetry or prose metaphors.

I highly recommend this book. I learneda great deal about the history of English Bible translation and cameto appreciate the qualities of the King James Bible and it'ssuccessor, the ESV. If you have any interest in the history andquality of the Bible you're using, this book is a must read.

I reviewed this book as part of theCrossway Reviewer Program.

Beginning Information for Landscape Photographers

2011-12-01T11:14:00.001-08:00

The four small books contained in theLandscape Photography: Four Seasons are full of information for thebeginning landscape photographer. The information is clearly not atthe level of the professional or advanced amateur. For example theSpring book details the type of camera required by a landscapephotographer. I assume anyone who has been involved with photographyfor awhile would have this equipment and perhaps more than onecamera.

However, some of the discussions aremore advanced. The section on filtering in the Fall book is useful. Ilearned about neutral density filters and got some helpful hints onhow and when to use them. The discussions of photographing in variousweather conditions are valuable. They're probably not news to anyonewho's been doing landscape photography, but for the person startingout, they're extremely useful.

The books are small. They could becarried by a photographer who wants to have the information availablein the field. I think this is part of the beauty of the packaging.For simply reading about various techniques, the packaging, foursmall books in an overall cover, is not optimal, but for using thebooks separately, it works.

I recommend the books for someonewanting to learn more about landscape photography. They're easy toread and contain valuable hints. I plan to use them when I do my nextlandscape shoot.

I reviewed the book as part of the Amazon Vine Program.

Four Traditional Romances

2011-12-01T10:17:00.001-08:00

With the mill closing, the town ofSmitten is out of business. Not all the townspeople are enthusiasticabout moving. Four ladies have a vision. The name translates toromance, so turn Smitten into a tourist resort aimed at honeymoonersand other lovers. After all, the name fits.

The plot of this book drew me. Havinglived in a small town that tried to redefine itself as a touristdestination, I felt a kinship with the town's problem. The idea isinteresting, but the four ladies highlighted in the novellas are not.I was very disappointed by the vapidity of the four heroines.

The novellas rely on the traditionalromance idea of misunderstanding between the girl and her guy. Thiscan be handled well, or poorly. I found the ladies in the novellasstraining to misunderstand their chosen guys. It wasn't a fun read.

If you really love traditional romance,and don't mind how mindless the heroines are, you may enjoy thisbook, otherwise give it a miss.

I reviewed this book as part of theThomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

An Intersection of Nightmare and Reality

2011-11-30T12:29:00.001-08:00

Rats - vermin with a crazed blood lustrace through Central Park. An elderly woman, leading a group ofcampers, suffers a stroke and is eaten. A little girl full of rattrivia witnesses the rat assault, and another more deadly attack.Rats fall from the trees sated with the blood of three people strungup in bags in the Ramble in Central Park. The opening has all theaspects of a nightmare. Reality intervenes in the policeinvestigation of the murder and near murder of the three people.

Mallory and her partner Riker arecharged with the identification of the victims and in the processdiscover the intersection of fifteen year old crimes in the Ramblewith the new victims. It's payback time.

The intricate plot keeps the readermoving through the investigation. The bonus is the imagery; rats turnup throughout the narrative keeping alive the idea of monsters. Thepsychology of the investigators and the criminals also intersects;who is crazy?

This book is not for squeamish readers,but it has many rewards. The proliferation of characters are welldrawn, and the subplot of their place in Mallory's background is usedperceptively. I enjoyed the book although the images often verged onnightmarish fantasy. Carol O'Connor is a master of her craft. This isa book well-worth reading.

I reviewed this book as part of theAmazon Vine Program.

A Month that Changed the World

2011-11-26T11:45:00.001-08:00

On December l, 1941, America was adivided country. The war in Europe and the Japanese incursions in the Far East seemed far way. The America First Committee urged citizensto stay out of the war, and many agreed with that sentiment. Thencame December 7, 1941 and America would never be the same. TheJapanese attack on Pearl Harbor changed the isolationist country intoone completely focused on winning the war.

Craig Shirley uses a unique format totell the story of the month of December 1941. We are treated to acomprehensive selection of items from the newspapers of the day. Notonly, do we learn about the battles and the public reaction to them,we hear about what people were doing for recreation, how much thingscost (a truly amazing difference from today.), and stories ofindividual heroism both in the military and on the home front. It'shard to imagine the devastation of losing two sons on the same day inthe Pacific, but that was the plight of more than one family.

I highly recommend this book if youlove history. It's also a book that brings home how much our countrytoday resembles the country prior to World War II. There are manystories in the book that should make us all stop and think about ourbeliefs and where we're going. The challenges are not so different.

I reviewed this book as part of theThomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Gentle Love Stories

2011-11-17T03:52:00.001-08:00

Three young women, friends living inthe same community, face challenges preparing for their weddings.Rose Bender, recently engaged to her best friend Luke Raber, beginsto wonder if she's made the right choice. Luke seems distant, not theardent suitor she dreams of. Naomi Fisher is a successful matchmakerfor everyone except herself. Naomi thinks she has resigned herself tolife alone, but her sister's approaching wedding makes her questionher decision. Priscilla King is preparing for the perfect weddingshe's dreamed of since she was sixteen. She and Chester Lapp are verymuch in love, but as things go wrong with the wedding preparations,they begin to question God's plan.

I loved this book. The authors did askillful job using the same setting to tell the interwoven stories.The plots are interesting, but it's the characters that keep youreading. The young women are genuinely likeable. Their problems feelreal and the resolutions are satisfying.

I recommend this book if you're a fanof Amish stories, or just love a good romance.

I reviewed this book as part of theThomas Nelson Booksneeze program.

An Occult Western

2011-11-13T11:15:00.001-08:00

Lucas McCade, superstar rodeo cowboy,has retired and taken a job in Oklahoma at the Falling Star Ranch.His wife is delighted, but his teenage son, Connor, isn't pleased.He's missing his friends and his plans for playing for the TexasLonghorns. The McCades settle in. The ranch is lovely, and they'vefound a church, but something is ominous. Not everyone is who theyseem and evil hides even in the sanctuary of the church.

The plot is interesting, combining allthe elements of a western with the occult. I thought I would enjoyit, but the structure of the book left a lot to be desired. Thecharacters are cliches; the superstar who is a regular guy, therebellious teenager, the beautiful girl and her disturbedcounterpart.

The setting is interesting, but thereis way too much description. Every time we meet a new character wehave to hear what he or she is wearing, etc. I found that too muchdescription slowed the story and didn't add much to the understandingof the characters.

I can't recommend this book. Itpurports to be a Christian book, but there are many too many cursewords, and the Christian element, for me, is thinly veiled. The bookstarts realistically enough, but ends with what one can only describeas unrealistic melodrama.

I reviewed the book as part of theThomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

An Interesting Prequel

2011-11-07T06:02:00.000-08:00

Running from depression and alcoholism,Anna Pigeon takes a bus all the way to Arizona where she gets a jobas a seasonal employee at Lake Powell in Glen Canyon NationalRecreation Area. Her job, picking up the human excrement on the shoreof the lake, is unpleasant and difficult. When Anna disappears, herco-workers surmise that she's hurried back to New York. The truth israther different. Anna has been kidnapped and thrust into a deep,rocky hole. Her struggle to escape is the subject of the earlychapters.

I have read many of the Anna Pigeonnovels and loved them. The descriptions of the national park settingsare well done and the characters interesting. In this novel, thedescription of Lake Powell and vicinity is delightful, but thecharacters left me cold. With the possible exception of Jenny, Anna'sroommate, I found the characters unlikeable. The motivation for theirbad decisions was unclear, even at the end of the book. I finishedreading feeling unsatisfied.

The plot is fast paced with plenty ofgripping moments, but I didn't feel that it hung together. There weretoo many unbelievable elements, starting with the opening sceneswhere Anna finds herself at the bottom of a hole.

If you're an Anna Pigeon fan, Irecommend this book because it fills in Anna's early history. Ifyou're looking for a believable plot and well drawn characters, I'dgive this one a miss.

I reviewed the book as part of theAmazon Vine Program.

Astonishing Tale of a Boy's Visit to Heaven

2011-11-04T07:16:00.000-07:00

During a life threatening operation,Colton Burpo has an amazing experience. He visits heaven, meetsJesus, members of his family, and sits near God. It all sounds toogood to be true, but I doubt a four-year-old could make it all up.His descriptions of heaven are eerily like those in the Bible,particularly Revelations.

I found the story fascinating. DidColton really visit heaven? We can't know for sure, but he believeshe did, and his parents, after much questioning and hearing histales, believe that he did. Personally, it makes sense to me tobelieve that he did visit heaven. It's much like Pascal's Wager, weare more likely to get to heaven if we believe and accept Jesus asour savior. It also helps us to be better people here on earth.

This is also a very warm family story.It made me happy to see how the family interacted. The parentsobviously love their children very much. I felt they treated Colton'srevelations sensibly and were moved by them, but not moved toexploit their child.The scene where Sonja, Colton's mother,hears that he met the daughter she miscarried is extremely moving.

I highly recommend this book. Even ifyou don't come away believing, you will experience the warmth of thisremarkable family.

I reviewed this book as part of theThomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

The Importance of All Work

2011-11-03T07:36:00.000-07:00

Work, all work, is an importantingredient of God's plan for a Christian's life. Tom Nelson addressthe issue that some Christians find difficult. God's work seems to beonly that done on a Sunday. Nelson makes the point that all work isimportant. You are doing God's work whether your calling is to becomea pastor, or a missionary, or whether you are called to be a guidancecounselor or manager. For me, this is a very important concept. Nomatter what kind of work we're called to do, we're doing God's workwhen we do it well.

This book should be read by everyone,particularly people who feel that their work isn't important. Nelsonmakes it very clear with case histories and Bible stories thateveryone has a role to play, and we are all doing God's work. Thebook is very readable. I enjoyed the chatty style that brings youinto Nelson's own life. For a relatively short book, it containsmany valuable insights.

I recommend this book. It can be usedin vocational counseling as well as read by anyone for a betterunderstanding of God's plan for work in our lives.

I reviewed this book as part of theCrossway Publishers review program.

Family Secrets in an English Country Village

2011-11-03T07:16:00.000-07:00

Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledgeinterviews a dying man who confesses to a murder. Rutledge isintrigued and tries to find out more about the murder, but before hecan, the young man himself is found floating in the Thames. When itbecomes evident that the murdered man gave a false identity, Rutledgeis assigned to investigate. The trail leads him to a small fishingvillage where the man grew up. The villagers are surly, clearlywanting Rutledge to go away. The reasons are unclear until Rutledgediscovers that another murder was committed before WWI, or was itsuicide?

I loved this book. I'm a fan of Englishmysteries and this is a good one. The plot is full of twists keepingthe reader guessing the identity of the murderer until the very end.The book is filled with interesting characters and the scene issuitably forbidding. In addition to murder, the village has a secretthat makes them shun outsiders.

I highly recommend this book if youlike English mysteries. The unveiling of the connections between thecharacters keeps you turning the pages. All in all a verysatisfactory mystery.

I reviewed this book as part of theAmazon Vine Program.

A Christian Parable of Forgiveness

2011-10-28T10:25:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Rush is an angry man. He is asuccessful business executive, but his anger is out of control, andhe's tried to kill himself. The source of his anger is his mother. Hedoesn't know who she is, but he knows she abandoned him when he wasfour. He doesn't even know her name. This is the story of how hefound her and why she gave him up.

I very much enjoyed this book. Thestory is fast paced. You can't help turning the pages to find out who Jonathan's mother is and why she gave him up. As he searches foranswers, Rush has to reevaluate what he thought about the woman whogave him birth. Can he forgive her? Can she forgive herself?

I highly recommend this book. Itillustrates how unresolved issues from childhood can affect youradult life. Although the story is fiction. It is based on two truestories. For me, it makes the point clearly that forgiveness isimportant. For anyone with issues with his or her family, it's a mustread.

I reviewed this book as part of theThomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Mystery and Romance on a Texas Ranch

2011-10-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

The kidnapping of Eden and Clay'sdaughter five years ago tore them apart. Eden in on the verge ofagreeing to marry someone else when Clay appears in her life. They'restill married because he didn't sign and return the divorce papers,and he has news about Brianna, their daughter. He received a postcardtelling him that she's at Bluebird Ranch in Texas, a ranch thatspecializes in giving foster children a ranch experience.

The story is fast paced. Eden and Clayare likeable characters, and we want to know what really happened totheir daughter. It keeps you reading trying to discover which girl istheirs. I enjoyed the story and felt the Christian background washandled very well. I also loved the setting.

I did find the opening hard to believe.I don't think lawyers just lose track of divorce papers even if theyhave health issues. This opening bothered me and kept me fromenjoying the story until Eden and Clay arrived at the ranch. Fromthat point on, it was very well done.

I recommend this book if you likeromance, and mystery with a Christian flavor.

I reviewed this book as part of theThomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

A Smorgasbord of Options for Promoting Your Book

2011-10-18T11:59:00.000-07:00

The Frugal Book Promoter answersthe question that most of us ask after writing a book. How do I getreaders? The question is particularly important for self-publishedauthors and authors who have little to spend to help their publisherpromote their book. The book publishing industry looks particularlydaunting when you're trying to break in. So many authors, so manybooks, what can I do to get noticed?

CarolynHoward-Johnson gives excellent advice on this dilemma. It feel likeyou have a knowledgeable consultant sitting in the room with you. Thebook is filled with classic techniques, such as writing releases,query letters, obtaining interviews, and much more. My favorites,however, are the chapters on the new techniques: blogging, usingsocial media, taking advantage of the tools offered by Amazon, andyour web page.

Myfavorite chapter is on why writers worry. Writers worry about manythings including plagiarism, pirating of ebooks, being sued, and thebig one: success or rejection. I think that once an author gets bythese hurdles the rest becomes, if not easy, at least a mountain it'spossible to scale.

Ihighly recommend this book. If you've written a book, it's gotwonderful suggestions on what to do next. If you're afraid to letyour book see the light of day, Carolyn's discussion of worries willmake you less afraid. In the long run, this book will save you moneyand sleepless nights.

A Southern Soap Opera

2011-10-18T07:22:00.000-07:00

In Softly and Tenderly, Jadedescribes her life as living in a Southern soap opera. It's a veryapt description of this book. Jade is caught in the middle of some oflife's most difficult challenges. Her mother is dying; her in-lawsare torn by infidelity; and her husband has an illegitimate child hehopes she'll raise. As if things weren't bad enough, he's alsoaddicted to pain killers, and someone runs into one of her stores anddestroys it.

Although the novel deals with aplethora of difficult issues, it does it with sensitivity and caring.Throughout her ordeal, Jade is still able to cling to her faith andfind comfort in Jesus. I enjoyed the characters. Beryl, Jade'smother, is a aging hippie who has managed to lead her own life, rightup to the end. Her mother-in-law, June, is another interestingcharacter. She's led the rich sheltered life of the wife of asuccessful attorney, but now she has to deal with his infidelity andher own dark secrets.

I recommend this book if you likeromance. It's a fast read, the characters are enjoyable and while itcould become maudlin, it generally avoids that pitfall.

I reviewed this book as part of theThomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Good Message for Young Women

2011-10-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

Larissa D. Jean speaks directly toyoung women wondering if marriage is in their future. The message isexcellent: God has a plan for everyone, however it takes patience forthe plan to be revealed because God's timetable is not ours. Larissashares her personal experience of waiting for a godly husband withcandor and humor.

I liked the books message. Larissaopenly shares herself with her readers and gives good advice, alwaysacknowledging that it's not easy to wait patiently. I loved thesection on her bridesmaid experiences. I only wish they had beenfilled in with more details. I thought that section of the book wasshort changed and if done well would have made the narrative sparkle.

I also liked the workbook section atthe end of each chapter. It allows the reader to make the book herown. However, there were some problems with the book. It was veryrepetitious. The author gave essentially the same advice in eachchapter. I also felt that more detail on the author's experienceswould have given us a better picture of her and let us get to knowher better.

I recommend this book for young womenworried about getting married. It provides a look at how a godlyyoung woman finds the patience to wait for God's timetable.

I reviewed this book as part of theThomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

A Christian Thriller

2011-10-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

Ward McNulty has a special gift. He cansee other people's souls. He uses this gift to great advantage insolving his father's murder and uncovering the larger criminal scheme that led to his death. It alsohelps him to save his own soul. The plot is fast paced taking Wardfrom Jacksonville, Florida to Columbia where he almost loses his lifeto members of a drug cartel.

I enjoyed this book. It's a quick read.The plot is interesting, and you find yourself rushing ahead to findout what will happen. There are several twists it's hard to seecoming. I have to admit that because of the time sequencing of thechapters, it wasn't hard to figure out who the villains were, butstill it kept my interest.

The character development was lesssatisfactory. The minor characters were sometimes sketched in. Alonger book might have allowed their stories to be told withoutresorting to having the major characters fill in the back story withlong narratives.

If you like thrillers, I recommend thisbook. My only reservation is that the religion is a bit on themystical and fantasy side, but it works well with the plot.

I reviewed this book as part of theThomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Excellent Advice for Anyone in A Management Position, or Who Wants To Be

2011-10-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

The 360 Degree Leaderis an excellent resource for anyone in management, or those stillstriving to get there. Maxwell covers all the bases with fast pacedanecdotes and easy to understand advice. One of the most difficultthings to do in an organization is learn how to be a manager at thelevel you're at. Many new hires expect to become CEO within the nextfew years, but few have any understanding of what that entails.Maxwell gives anyone in the organization a blueprint for what tostrive for. The most telling piece of advice is to become a personthat other people want to follow.

Ithoroughly enjoyed this book. Having worked in industry and in largevolunteer organizations, I can say that his advice is dead on target.Not everyone can have the top title, or any title for that matter,but everyone in the organization can help move the organizationforward by leading from the position they're in. Leadership doesn'tdepend on a title. It depends on how well you can make others followyour direction.

Ihighly recommend this book. Everyone with a job, or just starting outshould read it. In fact, it has a lot to say if you're a familymember. Leading is something that should be pervasive in your life.

Ireviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Interesting History: Mediocre Fiction

2011-10-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

Tides of War explores Londonsociety and the English forces during the time of the Peninsular War.James and Harriet are recently married, but he has to rejoin hisregiment in Spain. Will that impact their marriage? The Duke ofWellington and his wife Kitty are leading separate lives with more orless enjoyment. We see these characters and many more responding tothe conditions of society during the Peninsular War when men wereabsent and women had more freedom.

The book does a good job of telling thestory of the Peninsular War from the standpoint of the troops. We seethe battle for Badajoz from the standpoint of one of the soldiers.Very interesting portrayal of how battle affects reasonable men.During the same period, we see how women begin to feel their powerand exercise their options both in business and love when theirhusbands are away.

The major problem with the novel isthat we follow too many characters. Sometimes it's hard to rememberwho they are. The author cuts back and forth between characters in achapter which can be disconcerting. The historical detail isexcellent, but the characters don't come to life. The problem withthe characters may be that there are too many of them, so we don'tbecome an advocate for anyone.

I recommend this book for thehistorical context, but it's not a novel for light reading.

I reviewed this book for the AmazonVine Program.

An Intimate Portrait of a Great Woman

2011-10-06T10:44:00.000-07:00

Catherine The Great, Portrait of aWoman, is an apt title for Massie's biography of Catherine the Great.The biography moves from Catherine's difficult childhood through herdisastrous marriage to Grand Duke Peter when she becomes GrandDuchess and into her era as Catherine II.

I knew about Catherine's achievementsas an Empress, but what I found most interesting in Massie'sbiography was his portrait of her as a woman. The hardships sheendured under the Empress Elizabeth are almost impossible to imagine.We think of a Grand Duchess as someone who has power, wealth andstatus, but Catherine was a virtual prisoner. The Grand Duke Peterwas uninterested in her, possibly because of physical problems. TheEmpress Elizabeth feared that she was a spy largely because of herGerman heritage. This left the fifteen-year-old Catherine virtuallyalone.

I particularly liked the way Massiewove Catherine's memoirs into the book. Recounting the political andpersonal situation in her own eyes was very moving. Throughout theentire book, I felt that we were viewing history through Catherine'seyes. It was very effective.

I strongly recommend this book. Even ifyou know the history of Catherine's reign, this will give you acomprehensive view of her personality and the background that madeher great.

Long on Promises, Short on Performance

2011-10-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

Holly Oaks has been the home ofAdelaide's family from before the Civil War. The house has seen a lotof tragedy. During the Civil War, Susannah Page, Aldelaide'sgreat-grandmother, was rumored to be a Union spy after hiding Unionsoldiers during the battle of Fredericksburg. Adelaide’s daughter,Caroline, ran away from home as a teenager and hasn't been homeexcept to leave Sara with her mother. More recently, Adelaide'sgranddaughter, Sara, has died. Sara's husband, Carson, and her twochildren are still living at Holly Oaks, but is this the right placefor them after Carson marries Mariella?

Some people think the ghost of Susannahhovers over the house. Adelaide think it's the house itself that isthe source of tragedy. At the core of this conflict is finding outwhat Susannah really did. This is where the Civil War part of thestory comes to life when Susannah's letter to her cousin come tolight. I thought the letters were the best part of the book. I hadhoped for more intertwining of the Civil War. In fact, I thinkSusannah's story would have made a better novel.

I found the plot disjointed. The storyseems to be about both Marielle coming to terms with life at HollyOaks and Adelaide settling her doubts about whether the house is theproblem, or whether it's the ghost of Susannah.

The characters are thin and not reallybelievable. Marielle never comes to life as a new wife struggling tofind a place in the first wife's home. Adelaide is inconsistent. Sheis the one person at the beginning of the story who knows the truestory of Susannah Page, but somehow she forgets this in the middleand starts to believe in the ghost. Pearl, Adelaide's friend, iscompletely unbelievable. Her rudeness is something I find it hard tobelieve anyone would tolerate.

The book in an unfortunate blend ofmodern romance and historical fiction. Neither comes across as verywell done. I can't recommend the book. If you love Christian fiction,you may enjoy it, but if you're looking for historical fiction ortraditional romance, try something else.

A Fascinating Story of Daniel

2011-10-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

Although a fictional account, the storyclosely parallels the Bible story and fills in the gaps. When thestory opens, Daniel and his three friends are captives in a train ofJews bound for Babylon and service under Nebuchadnezzar. The journeyis fraught with hard ship including an attempt on Daniel's life byPrince Zeriah. Daniel survives and becomes a trusted seer in theservice of Nebuchadnezzar. Although in service to a foreign prince,Daniel never wavered in his faith and in the end was rewarded.

I enjoyed the book. It tells thebiblical story of Daniel and fills in the blanks to make the fictionmore appealing. The prose in the story seemed rather stilted, butperhaps that was because the author was telling a Bible story.

I found the story interesting. I thinkthe author succeeded in his goal of making Daniel and his friendsmore real to us. The history and the background were realistic. If youlike Bible stories, this is a good read.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Sneeze Program.

A Rich Tapestry of Colorful Characters

2011-10-02T07:50:00.000-07:00

Joe Patterson's dictum about what thepublic wants to read could be used to describe his family's saga.“Love/sex, Money and Murder – in that order.” abound in thepages of The Magnificent Medills, although murder is confinedto newspaper reporting. The book teems with colorful characters fromJoseph Medill the patriarch and founder of the newspaper, to the twocousins, Bert Patterson and Joe McCormick, who kept the paper going,and the unforgettable Cissy Patterson. In addition to the family,historical personages from both the United States and Europe put inappearances. Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin D.Roosevelt are featured. Famous writers appear, particularly inCissy's Parisian period: Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and manyothers. It's a marvelous picture of the newspaper world and the superrich from before the Civil War through the Jazz Age and up to themodern era.

I loved this book. The story movesquickly from the lives of the Medills through the history of theirnewspapers enterprises, particularly the Chicago Tribune and the NewYork Daily News, and takes us into the politics of the day. It's abook that's hard to put down.

I highly recommend the book. Thecombination of engaging characters most of whom where verysuccessful, in business at least, coupled with a fascinating glimpseof Chicago history is a winning combination.

Good Advice for Readers and Non-readers

2011-09-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

Reading is one of God's most valuable gifts. Unfortunately many people don't take advantage of it. In this book Tony Reinke tries to tell non-readers how to do it without making them feel guilty. The book has excellent ideas: make a plan for what you read, read while you're waiting for appointments, and most important read with your children.

One of my favorite sections dealt with the selection of books for children. Choose books that are appropriate for their age and that can help them understand the Christian world. However, and this advice I liked best, if the book is one that you don't think they're ready to handle on their own, read it with them. I know many parents weren't happy about the Harry Potter series. Trying to keep your kids from reading a book that has that much hype is like trying to keep them from eating candy. However, if you read it with them, you can answer their questions and discuss points that you don't agree with. Great advice.

I particularly liked the way the author added quotations from theological books and books on Christian living. I found his quotes on point and they made the text more interesting.

This was a fascinating read for someone like me who reads books all the time, but I wonder if it will be used by non-readers and readers who feel uncomfortable tackling hard books, like the classics. Here the author's advice comes in handy. Give books as gifts. Give this book as a gift. Read with others. Read this book in a group. Reading is so important, I hope lots of people take Reinke's advice to heart.

I reviewed the book as part of the Crossway review porgram.

A Special Gift

2011-09-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

Set in St. Alcuin's Monastery in the 1300's, The Hawk and The Dove Trilogy is a perceptive portrayal of human relationships. The abbot, Father Peregrine, and his aide, Brother Thomas, are the main characters, but the monastery is peopled with other unforgettable characters whose trials in living the prescribed life of a Benedictine monastery are beautifully portrayed.

The three volumes trace the history of Father Peregrine from his taking on the role of abbot until his death in the third book. The first book introduces us to him. Peregrine was the son of a nobleman who felt a call to God. A graceful, talented man, he is beaten severely and become a cripple. Instead of making him bitter, it opens him to the suffering of others, and as abbot his understanding of the trials of the brothers engenders a love the continues throughout his life.

I found the third book, The Long Fall, particularly poignant. Dealing with infirmity and impending death is never easy. Both Brother Tom and Father Peregrine face the ultimate dissolution of their earthly friendship. It both serves as a model for how to deal with impending bereavement and, since the brothers are not perfect, allows us to feel less guilty for the way we approach the end of life with our loved ones.

I highly recommend this book. It's not a book for just Catholics, or even Christians. The author has a sensitivity that allows her to portray the delights and sorrows of human love in a way that leaves one feeling better and with more understanding of people and relationships. It is a beautifully written, warm, and perceptive book, one you won't be able to read just once.

A Very Dark Novel

2011-09-28T10:19:00.000-07:00

The Thirteen Hallows are ancient artifacts. Apart they have power, but when brought together the power is heightened and can become deadly. The demons have been waiting for the chance to reassemble the hallows and gain the power. For many years, the hallows have been guarded by thirteen children of the blood of the original keepers. They received the hallows at the end of WWII. Now the keepers are being killed. One of the keepers convinces Sarah to take the the broken sword and keep it out of the grasp of the dark man and his mistress. The book becomes a chase scene through Wales, Britain and history.

I was fascinated by the book because I love history and fantasy. The authors do a good job of entwining the legends of the Thirteen Hallows of Britain with the story. I found that fascinating.

However, the book is filled with grisly murders and sex. Although the hallows are based in a culture of blood sacrifice, I found the murders in the opening of the novel unwarrentedly explicit. I felt the authors were looking for sensationalism instead of telling the story. The number of characters was also disturbing since their only contribution to the story was to die in a horrible fashion.

The police offices and the investigation was another area of disappointment. The officers didn't do any of the things you would expect from and investigation. They decided that Sarah was a serial killer and the chase began. I found this unbelievable.

I can't recommend this book. The material on the Hallows of Britain is interesting, but unless you like chase scenes filled with gruesome murders this is not a book for you.

Can You Survive Getting Everything You Want?

2011-09-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

Mary Lynn and Jackson are living the life they always dreamed of: an historic home in Charleston, social acceptance, money, talented children. For Mary Lynn, something is missing. She is increasingly drawn to the religion of her childhood. On Christmas she attends church and wishes the whole family could share in her awakening. Then an amazing thing happens. Jackson finds Christianity and it takes over his life. It's not the polite church on Sunday religion Mary Lynn has found. When Jackson experiences a conversion, he wants to live the Bible literally. This creates an enormous distance between them putting the survival of their marriage in doubt.

Charleston SC is on of my favorite places. Beth Webb did an excellent job drawing her readers into the setting. Unfortunately, that was the best part of the book. The book starts very slowly with lots of back story. The characters are introduced in their affluent life style, but realistic tension is missing. In fact, the story doesn't take off until after Jackson's conversion and Mary Ann's horror at the change in their social status.

Although I think the premise is an interesting one, how fully must a Christian live their faith, I found the treatment in this book lackluster. The characters weren't particularly interesting, the narrative was fully of flashbacks and internal monologue as well as back story, and the ending while satisfying from the standpoint of resolving the main character's issues felt rushed and unrealistic.

I can't really recommend this book unless you love reading about Charleston, SC.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Justice or Mercy?

2011-09-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

Audrey, the pastor's wife, has an unusual empathetic skill. She feels the pain of others physically. Audrey copes with this unusual gift by bringing bread baked by herself and her husband to those in need of comfort. Times turn difficult for Audrey and her family. Geoff, her husband, loses his pastorate, and their son, Ed, loses his scholarship to University. The family copes by opening a special bakery that makes wonderful bread. You can almost smell it baking when you read the book. One of their former parishioners believes the family guilty of vengeful actions against his family. Is he right in seeking justice, or does God rather look for mercy?

I highly recommend this book. It is a powerfully written and inspirational. The story holds your attention from the first pages to the very satisfying conclusion. The characters are well drawn; we can sympathize with people who make mistakes, but ask for and receive forgiveness. The book explores the issue of whether justice or mercy is most important in God's eyes. I thought the story made the case very well. It's a book you will never forget.

Chilling Thriller with Satanic Overtones

2011-09-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

Something evil has infiltrated East Salem. The ritualistic murder of a teenage girl sets the stage for a frightening series of events that plunge Dani Harris, a forensic psychiatrist, and Tommy Gunderson, a retired football player and wannabe PI, into an investigation of a high school party gone seriously wrong.

I found this book hard to put down. Dani and Tommy make a great team. They're savvy and funny. Dani brings insights about human behavior. Tommy's love of gadgetry brings the use of advanced technology to the investigation. The underlying romantic tension is a bonus that leads to some snappy exchanges. I particularly enjoyed the intertwining of Christianity with the aura of evil. It makes the story more satisfying than a simple murder mystery.

The only criticism I have is that some of the important investigation takes place off stage, and we see only the results. Although annoying to the serious mystery reader, it's not a major concern. The fast pace moves the reader quickly past the point of questioning what happened behind the scenes.

I highly recommend this book if you love a chilling murder that may be only the first manifestation of the evil that has invaded the town. I was sorry to finish the book and am looking forward to the sequels.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Good Sequel, but Requires Reading The Skin Map First

2011-09-14T12:11:00.000-07:00

The Bone House caries the adventures of Kit Livingstone and his girl friend Mina into new dimensions. Kit's grandfather is dead. Kit barely escaped with his life thanks to the sudden arrival of Mina, who is now an adept time traveler and begins to direct the action. Kit and Mina are on a quest to find the missing pieces of the Skin Map, but the Burley Men are too, and they don't care who they injure. Will Kit and Mina be able to outwit the Burley Men and complete their quest to find the fragments of the skin map? It makes fast paced reading.

I find the setting and mystery of The Skin Map and The Bone House fascinating. Lawhead has done an excellent job drawing the reader into his settings. However, because of the complexity of his plot, he has too many characters. Jumping between the characters and often between times is disconcerting. It's not a book you want to put down for a few days. You'll completely lose track of who is where.

I recommend The Bone House if you enjoy fantasy. The plot is fun, but it's easy to lose track of the characters, and you must read The Skin Map first. I'm looking forward finding out how Kit and Mina succeed with their quest.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Inspiring Glimpse of a Medieval Monastery During Lent

2011-09-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

The privations of Lent coupled with cold rainy weather sets the scene for Penelope Wilcock's sequel to The Hawk and the Dove. The monks long for spring and the return of Father John, the newly elected abbot. Rejoicing follows John's return, but is quickly replaced by dissension and bitterness when an old enemy seeks refuge at St. Alcuin's. The brothers are stressed during this time, each faced by “the hardest thing to do.”

Wilcock has an excellent understanding of the strains of group living particularly when times are difficult. Although the brothers are sworn to the service of Jesus, several find it hard to act as the Lord would act. The way the community struggles with it's problems and finally comes to an inspirational conclusion on Easter is a heartwarming story.

I highly recommend this book. Although the novel is set in a medieval monastery, it has lessons for all of us living in groups whether they are religious groups, social groups, or families. The book has an obviously Christian background, but I believe it is a book for everyone. It's a book I will keep on my shelves. I had not read The Hawk and the Dove, but I'm now inspired to do so.

I reviewed this book at the invitation of Crossway.

Fascinating Tales of the Owners and Thieves of Shakespeare's First Folio

2011-09-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

Tales of eccentric owners and flamboyant thieves combined with fascinating tidbits about the production and provenance of Shakespeare's First Folio make Eric Rasmussen's book hard to put down. Rasmussen and his team are First Folio hunters. Their mission is to track down and catalog all existing First Folios. From the description of the catalog entry contained in the book, this is extremely painstaking work, but there are rewards. Many of the First Folios have mysterious histories. Valuable books that have been around for hundreds of years have not only been stolen, but the owners have added marginal notes which illuminate how the plays were received as well as what the owners thought of them.

I enjoyed the book. It's a quick read with enough tantalizing information to keep you going. I enjoyed the portraits of some of the more eccentric owners, and the chapter on Raymond Scott, a flamboyant thief, who captured the attention of the London media after stealing the Durham University First Folio is fascinating.

However, the book promises more than it delivers. Many of the thieves are unknown, so we're left with condition of the book and Rasmussen's speculation to tell what might have happened. The book is repetitious and the author often digresses from information on tracking the First Folios to his own emotional attachment to the project, He even goes into great detail about a painting he bought thinking it might be Shakespeare. While his musing are interesting, they detract from the main discussion and made it seem that he didn't have quite enough material to fill the book. Still, if you're a Shakespeare fan, it's an amusing read.

The Story of a Strong Woman

2011-09-01T11:23:00.000-07:00

Brenda Warner, has given us a gift in her memoir, One Call Away. She traces her life history from adolescent, the pretty sister, through her years as a Marine, her first marriage which gave her Zach, a special needs child, and ends with her marriage to Kurt Warner and how they raise seven children while dealing with the public demands of his job as a starting quarterback.

This is a book women should read. Too often we feel alone in our problems. We try to take responsibility for everyone, especially our spouses and children, we feel less than perfect in our body images, and we feel insecure and inferior when life isn't going our way. I loved this book. I think it was very courageous of Brenda to take us into her life this way. Probably the most telling part was her belief in God. God really is a major factor in the Warner's life and Brenda makes it clear how he was able to help her through some very devastating experiences.

I particularly felt close to her experience of her parent's death. It was a horrible experience, but faith and a loving family helped her get through. The other part I particularly enjoyed was the problems the family experienced when Kurt became a star, and they had huge amount of money. When we're poor, we think money will solve our problems. I wish that were true, but in reality it brings it's own set of problems and requires even more of us.

I highly recommend this book. It's a very personal experience and one I'm sure will bring you closer to your own family and to God.

I reviewed the book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Start of a Compelling New Trilogy

2011-08-29T06:40:00.000-07:00

Danial, a homeless man, and Freya, a university student, are tied together by an adventure they shared as children. Transported to Nidergeard through a secret passage in the church their class is visiting, they are confronted with an underground world where knights sleep awaiting the call to save the world. Although times are bad, Ealdstan, the wizard who controls Nidergeard, believes that it is not time to wake the knights. Instead, he sends Daniel and Freya on a quest.

The story relies heavily on British Isles mythology. The author does a clever job of winding the tales through the story of the two young people.The plot unfolds on two levels: today and the time when the children were in Nidergeard. This could have been confusing, but it was easy to follow.

The writing is not consistently of the highest caliber, but it only detracts from the story if you notice craft in writing. The struggle between good and evil is well portrayed. If you're a fan of fantasy on the Tolkein variety, you'll enjoy this book.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

A Moving Story Showing the Power of Love

2011-08-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

Tucker Mason is an angry young man. Brought up in a mansion, he has all the material comforts and a huge estate to roam in. However, what he most wants in the thing he is deprived of. His alcoholic father barely notices him, unless it's to deliver a blow. Tucker is lucky, however, he has the love and support of Miss Ella, a tiny black woman,who has an intense personal relationship with God. Wrapped in Rain is the story of how he comes to understand and live with the power of love.

I loved this book. The descriptions invite you into the world of Tucker and Miss Ella. The characters are people you'd like to know. They will live in your mind long after you finish the book. The religious tone of the book, while heavy, is perfect for the setting and characters. I highly recommend this book. It's an experience you will remember. It may change your life.

I reviewed the book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Evidence of the Bible's Divine Inspiration

2011-08-19T06:50:00.000-07:00

Has God Spoken?, takes the reader on a fascinating exploration of the evidence for the divine inspiration of the Bible. Hanefraaff covers a wide range of evidence: techniques for copying the manuscripts, archaeologist's findings, prophecies, and scriptural analysis. Some evidence is more persuasive than other evidence. However, I found the total package very enlightening.

My favorite discussion was about the discrepancies between the reports in the four gospels. Hanegraaff argues that like any reporters, even today, the authors selected what to tell in their manuscripts. Therefore small details, or differing emphasis, should not detract from their eyewitness accounts. To me, that is certainly a valid reading of human nature.

I did find his constant arguments with Ehrman annoying. It felt as if he were writing the book to refute the ideas of this particular man, and to me, Ehrman's reasoning is a little too precious to be convincing. I would have preferred it if the author had simply made his case without setting up an opponent.

I enjoyed the book very much. I didn't agree with all of it, but it was a good read. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the authenticity of the Bible.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Vivid Colors and Fragrances of Provence, A Mystery, and A Love Story

2011-08-07T07:38:00.000-07:00

Eve falls in love with Dom, a man with a mysterious past, and with their crumbling farmhouse in Provence. At first everything is perfection, but as cracks appear in the walls, so too they appear in the relationship. Told as counterpoint to Eve's story is the story of Bénédicte, the last owner of the house. The intermingling of the two stories told against the lush backdrop of Provence weaves the mystery and the love story.

The best thing about the novel is the marvelous descriptions of Provence. The author is obviously in love with her setting. The is both a benefit and curse. While it's delightful to become absorbed in the atmosphere of the hill town where the novel takes place, it detracts from the story being told. The dilemmas of the central characters are interesting, but because of the amount of picturesque writing about the setting, the story drags.

The juxtaposition of the two story lines interleaved every other chapter become wearing after awhile. The chapters are generally short so the reader is often left wondering what will happen with one character while the story moves to the other main character. Leaving the reader unsatisfied at the end of a chapter can draw the reader through the story, but in this instance it leaves the impression of choppiness and induces the reader to skip chapters.

I recommend this book if you love Provence and scenic writing, but if you're more interested in plot, you're apt to be disappointed.

Monastic Views on 9/11

2011-08-02T10:52:00.001-07:00

The aftermath of 9/11 sparked a cycle of vengeance and hatred. Concerned with the darkening of our world, David Carlson embarked on a project to talk to contemplatives about their perceptions of 9/11 and the aftermath. He hoped to find some light in the darkening world of growing tension between Christians and Muslims. He conducted a series of 30 interviews with monks and nuns and found much more than he expected. The views of those cloistered in religious houses ran a large gamut and gave him much to reflect on.

I loved the first half of the book. The description of the monasteries was beautiful. Being in out of the way places the surroundings are exception. Likewise the monks turned out to be exceptional people. They were as disturbed by the post 9/11 world as everyone else and were struggling with how to place it in a spiritual context.

The middle of the book, however, dragged for me. Instead of the spiritual discussions of the opening interviews, it seemed to me that we were veering into bureaucratic solutions. If I hadn't had a commitment to finish the book, I might have put it down at this point. However, I did finish it and I'm glad I did. The ending of the book, including the author's own dark night of the soul is very moving.

I recommend this book to anyone searching for spiritual understand of the terrible events of 9/ll and the continued terrorism and tension between Muslims and Christians. I particularly recommend the interview with Richard Bresnahan, a potter. His studio is located in conjunction with Saint John's Abbey in Collegevillle, Minnesota. His anger at the terrible events and his love for the beauty of the world are especially moving.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Coming of Age and Finding Christ at Oxford

2011-07-29T11:18:00.001-07:00

A year spent at on a scholarship at Oxford University gave Carolyn Weber more than she expected. She meets a fellow student who challenges her to become a Christian. Although a feminist and wary of men, because of her difficult relationship to the father who left the family, she can't quite put away the attraction of following Christ. As she progresses through the liturgical year, she finds it increasingly difficult to avoid believing and then equally difficult to feel comfortable in her new commitment. Haven't we all been there?

I found the memoir completely delightful. It made me feel young again, exploring great minds, falling in love, and finding a lifelong commitment. As Carolyn struggles with her new commitment to Christ, she has strong colleagues and friends to support and help her. It's particularly interesting to watch her struggle with the fact that being a committed Christian in academia is not easy either in this country or England. You have to admire her resolve.

This book is a gift to all of us who have been young, insecure, and searching. I was very sad to read the last page. It was an echo of my own lost youth.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Conclusion of the Life Support Story

2011-07-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

In this sequel to Robert Whitlow's Life Support, Alexia Lindale is again trying to represent a client who is becoming more and more psychotic. Rena Richardson sees, Baxter, the husband she pushed off the cliff, with increasing regularity in her house, although Baxter is confined to a hospital bed. As Rena's mental state deteriorates, Alexia finds excuses for her and tries to act as confident as well as defense attorney. At the same time, Alexia's romance with the Ted, the music minister, is becoming more important to her. In spite of being Rena's attorney, she can't help but be impressed by the way Ted is able to help the paralyzed Baxter.

I love the setting of Whitlow's novels. He makes you see the Southern areas he's writing about. His premise is interesting, and he does an excellent job portraying the increasingly paranoid Rena Richardson. I was less impressed with his portrayal of Alexia Lindale. She still seems incredibly naïve for an attorney. There are numerous places where you want to shake her and say, 'How can you be so blind?'

Two major delights in the novel are the discussion of the music therapy, truly a marvelous treatment of a controversial therapy, and the presentation of Alexia's continuing response to Christ's teachings. These are, in my estimation. two of the best aspects of the novel.

I highly recommend reading Life Support before tackling Life Everlasing. The story really is one long book. I give Whitlow high marks for Christian fiction, but I wish his character development of Alexia had been more realistic.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze program.

Vivid Images -- Moving Poems

2011-07-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

Deeper Into the Pond is another successful collaboration between Carolyn Howard-Johns and Magdelena Ball. I my estimation this collection is even more mature and moving than their previous work.

Vivid images in this collection of poems distill the lives of the women who wrote them. They speak to all the stages of life and our roles as women reminding us how far we've come and how much we have to be grateful for. They celebrate aging and our roles as wives, mothers and lovers. Whatever your age these poems will speak to you of times to look forward to or to remember. These are not poems to read once. They will stay with you forever.

If you enjoy poetry, I highly recommend this collection.

The Pineville Heist – Action Packed Thriller

2011-07-22T07:10:00.000-07:00

During an argument with his father, Aaron is let out of the car and forced to walk to school. Taking a short cut through the woods, he witnesses bank robbers hiding the money from their heist of the Pineville Bank. When he and his friends decide to recover the money, a dangerous chase ensues that almost costs Aaron his life.

The Pineville Heist is an action packed thriller that will appeal to the young adult reader and to some older readers, too. The story is filled with plot twists that keep the reader turning the pages. The characters are well drawn and will appeal to young readers. The high school setting is one they can identify with. A good choice for teenage readers.

Maybe You Can Go Home Again

2011-07-19T10:02:00.000-07:00

Tom Crane had a bad day. He lost his job at a prestigious Atlanta law firm. His girl friend deserted him and even took his cat. Tom goes home to his childhood home in Bethel, Georgia. He has work to do. His father died recently and he had to close down the practice, but when he arrives in Bethel, he realizes that things are not as simple as he'd like. His friends, the Pelhams, are very tense when he goes there for dinner. His uncle Elias is urging him toward the faith of his childhood, and there is a mystery in the files of his father's cases.

As usual with Whitlow, the setting draws you in. The main character, Tom Crane, is a likeable person. It's a comfortable feeling book. Almost like living in a small town. I love reading his books for the setting. It makes me want to go to rural Georgia.

The Christianity in this book is more pronounced than that in the Santee series. For some people, this will be a positive; others less so. On the negative side, I found the crime too easy to guess. This ruined the suspense in the remainder of the book.

I highly recommend this book for people who enjoy Christian fiction. It's well worth the read and you'll love Georgia.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Sneeze Program.

Fascinating Look at a Guilty Client and the Attorney Who Defends Her

2011-07-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

On a hike in the mountains, Rena Richardson pushes her husband off a cliff hoping that he's dead. This is the start of an engrossing novel. Although we know Rena is guilty, her attorney doesn't. Alex is a young attorney who specializes in divorce cases, usually talking the woman's side. She's convinced that men are the problem and advises women to make sure they have all the documentation to take their straying husbands to the cleaners in a divorce case. Because of her orientation – the woman is always right – she's blind to the fact that Rena is acting in a rather bizarre fashion.

The interplay between the two women and the juxtaposition of them giving their sides of the story is a powerful presentation. We know who's guilty. We can't help rooting for Alex, but events keep piling on the tension to bring the women into an uneasy partnership.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Moving back and forth between the two characters definitely keeps you turning the pages. Well written, great suspense and a fascinating environment: all these make the book well worth reading.

I was a little disappointed in Alex, the attorney. I thought she was a bit too naive and trusting. I had trouble seeing an attorney who had been practicing for awhile act as she did. However, her specialty makes it understandable, if not completely reasonable.

Like other reviews, I was disappointed that the book had to be continued into a sequel. I thought it could have easily fit into one book. The cliff hanger at the end seemed contrived. Still, it was a great read. It was particularly interesting because of the Christian element using music to come to Christ. I thought that was an excellent treatment. Definitely a book to read.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Inspirational Thriller for Teens

2011-07-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

Charlie is in jail and terrified, waiting for the killer's he knows are there to silence him. His memory is coming back. This makes the violence in the jail that much worse, because having his memory come back is a painful process that rips his insides. Whatever happens, Charlie knows he can't give up and he isn't alone. God is walking with him in this dangerous quest to stop the Homelanders.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Charlie is a likeable and believable character, someone teens can identify with. The action is fast paced and thoroughly entertaining. You don't want to put it down.

I particularly liked the way the author brought Christianity into the story. It wasn't overwhelming, or preachy. Charlie exemplified good Christian ideals. He lived by his belief. This is the kind of story I hope teens are reading. It makes faith very real and important for survival.

I highly recommend this book, not only for teens, but for anyone who enjoys a great read!

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Learning Survival Skills from the Animals

2011-07-12T06:44:00.000-07:00

Sean unenthusiastically accompanies his wife, Ashley, on a trip to the Serengeti. He's unenthusiastic until he meets Zachariah, a friend form college. While exploring the Serengeti with Zachariah, Sean and Ashley, learn about the survival skills possessed by the animals. It changes their lives by showing them the importance of using their skills to survive, not in the Serengeti, but in the business world and in their family.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It's one of those books that even though you're familiar with all the ideas, it's put together in such a way that it sticks with you. I think it was brilliant to combine the descriptions of the Serengeti and the amazing animals with a discussion of business and life skills. The scenarios make you remember the points the author makes.

The books is a quick read and draws you in from the first page. I highly recommend the book. You'll want to read it more than once.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

An Over View of Sara Palin's Positions

2011-06-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

Sara Palin is a dynamic figure who polarizes public opinion. This book pulls together her views on a variety of topics from economics, to family, religion, gun control, foreign policy and other areas.

I like Sara Palin. I think she has the best interests of America at heart. This was reinforced by the quotations presented in this book. I particularly enjoyed her views on foreign policy, economics and energy. This lady has good ideas and contrary to the opinion of the media she knows what she's talking about.

On the negative side, the book does get repetitious. Many of the same ideas continually crop up in different sections, particularly her views on energy policy. However, since the book is intended as a resource for her quotes, I don't think this is a draw back.

I recommend this book to all friends of Sara Palin.

I reviewed the book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

What is Out of Character?

2011-06-08T09:51:00.000-07:00

Is character a stable trait? The authors, Desteno and Valdesolo, don't think so. They think character is a fight between our long term planning and our short term search for gratification. I tend to agree. The situation is often responsible for how we respond. I liked their analogy about the grasshopper (instant gratification) and the ant (long term planning). It makes for easy reading and an ability to quickly understand what the research is about.

The book, even for non-psychologists, is easy to read. The examples drawn from real life cases are fascinating and present a good basis for their research. I found the presentation, moving between real life scenarios and research methods, very easy to follow and enjoyable.

On the negative side, I found that the farther the authors got into the book, the further they were stretching to make their hypotheses apply. I had a problem with the chapter on gratitude. It wasn't at all clear to me that the subjects were responding in the way hypothesized by the experimenters. However, that is, unfortunately, the case with most behavioral research. The one hypothesis fits all doesn't work very well.

I enjoyed the book, but would caution readers to read with a grain of salt. Accept what you can and leave the rest.

I reviewed this book for the Amazon Vine Program.

Debunks the Romance of Art Theft

2011-06-07T10:17:00.000-07:00

The Dr. No image of art theft is, as we all guessed, a product of Hollywood's imagination. The real story presented in “Sealing Rembrandts” is much less dramatic, but still extremely interesting. From the author's stories, it is apparent that art theft is often carried out not for love of the art, or on contract from a wealthy collector, but as a means to collect ransom, or to barter a deal with law enforcement. The number of thefts for these purposes is astonishing. What is particularly amazing is that the thefts are well planned, in many cases. Apparently the thieves think there is a serious reward in the offing. Unfortunately, this appears to be not the usual case, and the art is put in danger for no gain, or a remarkably small return on the time invested.

I very much enjoyed the book. It's written as an informative set of essays, rather than a detective story, but the detective story is there. The recovery of art is a fascinating story all by itself. I particularly enjoyed the interview with Myles J. Connor, jr. He is a thief who doesn't mince words about how easy it is to get access to valuable paintings, and what the rewards are for the thief.

I highly recommend this book to lovers of true crime and to people who want to know more about the fascinating world of art theft.

I reviewed this book for the Amazon Vine Program.

The Waiting Place Makes Waiting More Meaningful

2011-06-06T10:44:00.000-07:00

Eileen Button taps into a life situation that faces all of us . . . waiting. Most of us hate it, but waiting has it's place in God's plan. Astonishing things can happen in the waiting place. The trick is to take advantage of them. Too often we fail to see the wonderful things that are happening because we are so focused on the future. I recommend reading The Waiting Place as a way to slow down and see all the marvelous things happening in your own life.

The book consists of short essays about various life situations: waiting to grow up, waiting to get married, and even waiting for fish to bite. I found the essays poignant. Sometimes I laughed, sometimes I cried, but I couldn't stop reading.

This is the kind of book you give to your children. The kind of book that if someone is in a difficult place can bring solace. I loved it. I particularly loved the fact that it brought back my own memories of being in the waiting place. Perhaps now I will look more closely at what's happening when it seems as if life is at a standstill.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

The Poignant Story of Growing up with and Alcoholic Father

2011-06-02T06:10:00.000-07:00

This is a story that grips your heart from the first page. Ian Cron grew up in the kind of hellish family that can only be created by an out of control alcoholic. He wanted to love his father and be loved in return, but his father was unreachable caught up in his own demons. Cron managed to grow up with the help of his beloved Nanny and Jesus. The church plays an extremely important role in this book. Sometimes the stories are hilarious, like a seven-year-old boy showing up to serve as an altar boy three in the morning. Others show the power of the church to give consolation and focus. I loved the story about stealing the host to feel close to Jesus.

I loved this book. It's well written. Sometimes it makes you cry, at others you laugh until you're in tears. Sometimes the stories are hard to read because they portray teenage angst so movingly. This book should be read by all parents. None of us are perfect and our children survive and even grow to love us for our faults, but an alcoholic or addictive household is another matter. Children are a sacred trust. We shouldn't lose sight of that in ministering to our own demons.

I highly recommend this book.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Crammed with Useful Information

2011-05-29T11:01:00.001-07:00

With the economic situation in the country today, most of us need to read this book. The Amish have traditionally led simple, frugal lives. It was inspiration for Lorilee Craker to interview them and compile their ideas a book. The suggestions are simple, except for planting your own garden. Gardening is time consuming and a labor of love. However, most of us can implement the other ideas and best of all – save money!!

I particularly enjoyed the chapter dealing with children. The Amish are notorious for having large families, and generally, the children stay in the community and turn out well. This is not the case with large numbers of children born to X-geners. Children need good examples, but more than that they need to learn thrift from being giving specific tasks. I love the idea of making children wait for the thing they want and having them contribute to the cost. It's great training for being adult and not allowing your credit cards to rule your life.

I thought this book was excellent. The self-deprecating humor was a bit of a turn-off, but who wants to read a text book about personal finance, particularly now. We all need to laugh a little.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Lovely Retelling of the Story of Esther

2011-05-25T12:15:00.000-07:00

The book is a retelling of the biblical account of Esther, a young Jewish girl who won the heart of the King of Persia. Esther is a beautiful young Jewish girl living a comfortable life with her uncle Mordecai. Her uncle is concerned that the new king's advisors will try to destroy the Jewish people, so when the King Ahasuerus searches the kingdom for a new queen, he encourages Esther to try to win the king's heart.

I found the story very enjoyable and easy to read. The author gives us good background on what it was like to live in Esther's time. She makes her characters come alive in the setting.

The author takes some liberties with the biblical account; for example, the king in the retelling is Ahasuerus rather than Xerxes. However, Ahasuerus is such a romantic figure the change is quite delightful. I recommend this book to all lovers of the Bible story. The time and place and the motivations of the characters come to life. I enjoyed the book.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

A Christian Da Vinci Code: The Seraph Seal by Leonard Sweet and Lori Wagner

2011-05-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

Paul Binder is one of eight children born at the same time who will influence the fate of the world. When he's thirty-six strange thing start to happen to Paul Binder. He receives mysterious letters. He's invited to view a valuable manuscript. He meets a desirable woman. The puzzle deepens eh she receives her own mysterious package.

This is a fast paced thriller in the Dan Brown model. The book is based on scholarship, but the characters are totally fictional. I found the action fast paced and interesting. It was very reminiscent of the DaVinic Code with the short chapters and interesting esoteric knowledge. I feel that unless the author was trying to emulate the DaVinci Code, he sould had done better with character development.

I have the same complaints about this novel that I do about the DaVinci Code. I find the characters shallow. There's no growth. The chase is interesting, but it is a chase. We find the interesting clues at the end of the novel. There is an appendix worth reading for both Christian and non-Christians who enjoyed the book.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Great Kid's Sherlock Holmes Tale

2011-05-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

Griffin Sharpe, a brilliant twelve-year-old, is sent to England for the summer holidays. Gilbert is feeling low. He's so smart that he doesn't have real friends. Things seem to be taking the same course in England when he meets his uncle, who isn't interested in hearing his ideas about the recent disappearance of a clock repairman, or anything else for that matter. But he is at 221 Baker Street and the great Holmes lives there. At first he's convinced his uncle must be Holmes, but is quickly disabused of that idea. His uncle is far less successful than Holmes, but he does build wonderful machines to help with detection.

No Place Like Holmes is written for young adult readers, but it can be enjoyed by Holmes fans of all ages. The story is fast paced. Short chapters help. The mystery is intriguing, and Griffin is a character who will appeal to bright adolescents.

In addition to the main story, the book contains mini-mysteries that kids will love and a great recipe for scones. You'll be hard pressed to resist after reading about how much Griffin loves them. I highly recommend this book for middle grade readers and anyone who is a Holmes fan.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Delightful Romp Through the Ley-Lines

2011-05-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

Kit Livingstone is bored with his mundane life. This changes quickly when he stumbles into an alley and accidentally ends up meeting his great-grandfather, Cosimo, who has learned the secret of using the ley-lines to travel through space and time. Kit is recruited by Cosimo to join in his hunt for the skin map and thus begins a fast-paced series of adventures. Kit's girl-friend, Wilhelmina, also accidentally becomes a time traveler and ends up in 17^th Century Austria where she proceeds to change history.

Although a fantasy, the book is well researched. The characters are interesting and the plot fast paced. The places visited by the time travelers are realistic. The story moves back and forth between several characters. This jumping about could have been confusing, but Lawhead does a good job of making each jump immediately recognizable. I found that moving between the characters made the book move much faster. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen when I had to leave a character and move to the next chapter.

I recommend this book for readers who enjoy fantasy, historical fiction, or science fiction. It's a great summer read. Something to take to the beach. I'm looking forward to the next books in this series.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Family Drama at a Summer Cottage in Maine

2011-05-13T11:02:00.000-07:00

Four women from a Boston Irish Catholic family converge on their summer cottage in Maine. Each has her own secrets, resentments and desires. Alice, the matriarch, is nearing the end of her life. A life that was stigmatized by the death of her sister and her unfulfilled desire to be an artist. Maggie, the granddaughter, is thirty-two, pregnant and unmarried. She agonizes about telling her boyfriend, mother and grandmother. Kathleen, Maggie's mother, is happily settled in California, but continues to be torn by unresolved issues with her mother and daughter. Ann Marie, the daughter-in-law, wants to be perfect, but her life is coming apart in little ways. The summer cottage becomes the setting for the women to confront themselves and each other.

I enjoyed the book, possible because the characters rang true. It's a book in which not very much happens except the women's internal dialog and their interactions with each other. It is very much a character study and a study of manners. I agree with other reviewers. The product description doesn't really fit the book. As a result, the reader is likely to be disappointed.

On the positive side, the book is well written, true to life, and the setting delightful. I recommend the book to lovers of literary fiction.

I reviewed this book as part of the Amazon Vine Program.

Crammed with Information for Website Builders

2011-05-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

If you want to try building your own website, this is the book to buy. Bell covers the basics of what a website is, what you need to consider in building a website, and which tools are needed. Although the book contains lots of basic information, there are more advanced chapters on html, building business sites, and using multi-media.

I can't say enough good things about this book. I've used many of his tools to build my website and they are as useful as he says. The open source software he recommends is excellent. There are many useful websites to checkout and lists of places to get information. I wish I'd had this book when I built my website.

“Build a Website for Free” is a valuable resource for anyone interested in building and maintaining websites. I highly recommend it.

I reviewed this book as part of the Amazon Vine Program.

The Elusive Jane Austen

2011-05-04T07:18:00.001-07:00

Although Jane Austen is one of the world's best loved authors, little is known about her character. Most of the 3,000 letters she wrote to her family were destroyed after her death. We are left to wonder whether the real Jane was a sweet aunt, or a sharp tongued spinster. In spite of this handicap, Catherine Reef does a commendable job of showing us Jane's family and the era she lived in.

The Georgian Era was characterized by a rigid class structure and strict code of manners. Although she lived most of her life in country villages, Jane was an astute observer of human nature. She used this gift to give her novels unforgettable characters that people respond to today. I like the way Reef used this historical picture of Jane Austen to lead into a discussion of her novels and how they related to her life. In discussing the novels, Reed hints at the interesting question of why Jane remained a spinster. It's tempting to believe that she had as much experience of romantic attachments as her heroines which allowed her to understand them so well.

Although this short version of Jane's life is targeted at teen-readers, it can be enjoyed by adults as well. I found it fascinating and highly recommend it for all lovers of Jane Austen's novels.

I reviewed this book as part of the Amazon Vine Program.

Useful Suggestions for Writing a Book Proposal

2011-04-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

How to Write a Book Proposal is aimed at authors of non-fiction books, but is has good advice for fiction writers as well. Non-fiction books usually sell on the strength of a proposal and the advice is excellent. Fiction books usually sell on the basis of the completed manuscript. However, the advice on internet marketing and promotion is appropriate for either type of book.

I found the section on choosing a title to be particularly interesting. Often authors forget what a great selling tool the title is. Larsen makes this point clearly and offers numerous, often humorous, suggestions. In fact, I found all Larsen's marketing suggestions interesting and in many cases vital. Everyone who expects to write a book must find a way to get readers and decide how much time to spend on marketing as opposed to writing new material. The days of publishers marketing all books to the full are gone. Authors need to be entrepreneurs as well as creators.

I recommend this book for anyone thinking about publishing either a non-fiction book, for which it is most useful, or a fiction book, for the information on marketing and use of the internet. My suggestion is to use the material that makes sense for your project, read the rest and enjoy the writer's humor.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

A Mesmerizing Exploration of a Deteriorating Mind - Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante

2011-04-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

Dr. Jennifer White is sixty-four-years-old, suffering from Alzheimer's and a person of interest in the death of her best friend, Amanda. Her days are filled with a reality that blurs and fades and sometimes is intensely real. The police suspect Dr. White is involved in Amanda's murder. She's an orthopedic surgeon and four of Amanda's fingers have been removed with surgical precision. But is someone with advanced dementia capable of committing a skillful murder without being detected?

The story is told through Dr. White's eyes. It's eerie to be inside the head of someone whose reality changes from day to day. We meet her children, her caregiver, and through the visions she experiences, her husband, parents and Amanda herself. As the disease progresses, we are drawn more and more into the complex, disturbing world inhabited by Dr. White.

One police officer needs to find the truth. She continues to question Dr. White after all the others have given up, and gradually, she pieces together most of the truth. While it gives closure to the reader and the police officer. It's too late to help Dr. White. Her world is dissolving toward the end.

I enjoyed this book although it was an eerie sensation to be so much in the head of someone with a distorted vision reality. I thought the author did an excellent job describing the deteriorating world of an Alzheimer's patient.

Although the murder mystery kept me turning pages, the investigation by the police officers didn't ring true. Perhaps this was because it was being told through a distorted vision. Still, it was a necessary part of the novel. Without some real life clues to follow the novel would have become too convoluted in the bizarre world of Dr. White's deteriorating brain. Well worth the read.

I reviewed this book as part of the Amazon Vine Program.

Useful Story Planning Tools

2011-04-24T08:32:00.000-07:00

Story Engineering presents six tools that can help structure your story: concept, character, theme, structure, scene execution and writing voice. If you use these concepts, you can structure a story that flows. Knowing where to put major scenes can, by itself, give your story momentum.

Larry Brooks is very much in favor of structure. He firmly believes this is the way to plan your novel, and I agree with him. Too many writers do wander around looking for their story while writing hundreds of pages. Where I differ with him is in his contention that knowing and using these competencies will get you published. If you don't you won't get there. Having read hundreds of novels, I can see that structure is important, but there are a great many published novels that, in my opinion, fail. Structure may be there, but they're dull, characterization is poor, and the subject matter uninteresting.

I felt that his extensive use of Dan Brown's “The Da Vinci Code” was unfortunate. I agree that Brown follows the recommended structure, but without the enticing clues and mysterious background, I don't think the book works well. Perhaps this is because I hate chase scenes with no character development. So while I enjoyed “Story Engineering,” I have some reservations about how useful structure is if you don't have excellent content and characterization.

I also felt that he short-changed organic writers. Outlining, or preparing a beat sheet is a good idea, but some people do have an intrinsic feel for story and don't do as well preparing everything up front. I think this approach has many valid suggestions for improving craft, but I also think there are other important factors. My suggestion is read the book and take what you can use. It's an experience that will make you think.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Delightful Mystery

2011-04-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

Nick, a forensic entomologist otherwise known as the Bug Man, is getting married. At least he thinks he is, but he has some reservations. Is he really ready for marriage, or is it just the wedding he dreads? Three days before the wedding, he sets out to find the murderer of his old friend Pete Bondreau. His fiancee is not happy, putting it mildly, about the idea. Being Nick, he gets completely wrapped up in the mystery, but what about his fiancee and the wedding on Saturday?

Nick is a delightful arrogant, egotistical, genius. His dialog sparkles with all the things you'd love to say, but wouldn't dare to the people who annoy you. The plot is suspenseful; the supporting characters well drawn. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. It's a quick read, perfect for a day at the beach or curled up on the couch on a rainy afternoon.

I heartily recommend this book. In fact, I will have to check out the other books in the series. In addition to the plot twists there is a lot of interesting information about insects, particularly those found at a crime scene. Altogether a delightful experience.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Make the Most of Your Talent

2011-04-18T06:57:00.000-07:00

Beyond Talent is a prescription for how to make the most of your talent. Some exceptionally talented people never move beyond mediocrity, or burn out early. Others with fewer gifts succeed wildly. The answer lies in the attributes the individual uses to support their talent. Some of these include: belief, initiative, focus, practice and perseverance. Everyone who wants to be a leader, or to become a success in their field should read this book and think about these attributes.

I thoroughly enjoyed the author's style. His makes his points clearly and backs them up with anecdotes about famous and not so famous people. The small stories make it easy to remember the points he's making and give clues about how to use these truths to enhance your own life. If you want to make the most of whatever talents you have, I strongly suggest this book is required reading.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Mediocre Historical Novel

2011-04-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

Fifteen-year-old Ann Miller reluctantly turns down a marriage proposal from her romantic suitor because she's too young. She rues the decision, particularly when he takes up with another girl, but when Ann accompanies her father to Pittsburgh where he must complete a saddle commission, the world opens. Not one, but two eligible suitors appear.

On the positive side. I like the historical background for the novel. The author has based her characters on real people and has tried to proved an authentic historical backdrop. The plot moves swiftly with numerous twists which keep the reader turning the page. All these things make the novel quite interesting.

On the negative side, the characters, although based on historical people, are stereotypical. Ann is unimpressive as the naive heroine. However, Will, one of her potential suitors, is more true to life, particularly in the trials he endures. The book had many interesting plot twists, but, I felt, the ending was unsatisfactory. Although all the bad characters were punished, the mechanism seemed to be a device to end the novel than a demonstration of the characters' growth.

From a technical perspective, the writing was stilted. I can appreciate that the author was trying to convey a manner of speech in the time period, but that doesn't excuse the same sort of wooden writing for the descriptions. Christian fiction should be as least as well written as more generally popular romances.

I reviewed the book as part of the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

God's Promises for the American Patriot by Richard Lee and Jack Countryman

2011-04-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

Truths expressed in the Bible have guided many of our greatest Presidents. John Quincy Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, Ronald Regan, Benjamin Harrison, and Harry S. Truman gave testament to the importance of the Bible for them and for our country. One of my favorite sections of this book is the series of quotes from these men.

The book features historical events and documents important in American history coupled with appropriate Bible verses. I believe that anyone reading the two together will realize how the Bible formed the foundation of our country and guided the actions of many people. From the Declaration of Independence to the move westward, the Bible traveled with the people giving them courage and inspiration.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a passions for America. I believe it would make an excellent devotional, or a book for discussion in a small group setting.

I review this book as part of the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

Outstanding Wake Up Call

2011-04-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

Barack Obama was swept into office on a tide of dissatisfaction, but the electorate didn't really know who this man was. McCullough presents a clear picture of what Obama promised and how his promises fell short. This book covers four areas, economics, national insecurity, erosion of rights and accountability to Caesar. In each area, McCullough presents what Obama promised and how those promises have been perverted.

Everyone should read this book. If you're a voter, it's especially important. Americans are truly a wonderful people. We try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes, I don't think we believe in evil. McCullough makes if very clear that while Obama was saying one thing, he was thinking something completely different. He may believe in “Hope and Change,” but his ideas of what constitutes change are very different from those of the majority of Americans. He wants to remake our wonderful country into what he wants and this is not always for the good of Americans. I fear he views himself as a citizen of the world, rather than a citizen of America, and this is not good news for our survival. As McCullough points out. The President is the employee of “We the People.” When he forgets that he becomes a danger to our values.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.

I reviewed the book as part of Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze program.

Heart of Ice by Lis Wiehl

2011-04-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

The Triple Threat Club is back. Nicole, Allison and Cassidy face a chilling murderer. Elizabeth is a sociopath. Her lies are so believable she almost becomes Cassidy's best friend. She manipulates the people around her orchestrating a series of apparently unrelated crimes. Arson, is followed by theft, fraud and eventually murder. The friends try to piece together the seemingly random crimes at the same time they're dealing with their own family and health problems.

I enjoyed the book. The suspense is well done. As Elizabeth pulls more people in her web, you want to keep reading to find out how far she can go. However, when I stopped reading and thought about the characters, I found the manipulation rather unbelievable. The characters who committed the crimes seemed far to ready to follow Elizabeth's lead. Perhaps sociopaths are this successful in manipulating people, but it seemed facile.

The main characters, Nicole, Allison, and Cassidy, are delightful They come across as very real as they struggle with their jobs as well as their personal problems. I find it very realistic that while Allison has a deep faith, Cassidy and particularly Nicole struggle with what they believe. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a satisfying read.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson as part of the Book Sneeze program.

An Unusual Spiritual Journey

2011-04-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

Beyond Rain of Gold opens with the death of the author's father. Was this man a monster or a king? Vilasenor begins a quest to find out. However, the book rapidly becomes an autobiography. We learn more about Vilasensor than his father, although his father does, as promised, visit him from the other side.

I enjoyed the author's adventures in the publishing world. This section is a must read for authors and for those wanting to become writers. Whether you agree with Vilasenor or not, he cared enough about his book to go to extreme lengths to keep it pure. I admire that.

Other sections of the book were not so enjoyable. I found the consistent use of capital letters to express extreme emotion annoying. I thought the device was overused and took away from the narrative. The story rambled. In the section on his publishing experiences, it shifts back and forth from past to present, and while not terribly difficult to follow, it is a distraction.

The end of the book, where the author meets his spirit guides, is very repetitive. I got bored with all the emotion and having the same sort of things happen over and over. I believe this would have been a stronger book, if it had received more editing.

I reviewed this book as part of the Amazon Vine Program.

The Band That Played On by Steve Turner

2011-03-10T07:48:00.000-08:00

The musicians who went down with the Titanic, playing “Nearer my God to Thee,” have achieved near legendary status. Books and movies have used the incident as an example of courage and self-sacrifice. Steve Turner has gone a step further. This is the story of the eight musicians and what their world was like.

Most of the musicians came from relatively humble backgrounds. Being a musician on a ship was a chance to see the world and earn more money than they might on shore. I was fascinated by their stories. Turner has managed to paint a picture of the age of the ocean liners where cosseted passengers traveled in luxury. I found the contrast between the early lives of the musicians and the grandeur of life on the great ocean liners extremely interesting. It gave me and expanded view of Edwardian England.

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the early 1900's It's a telling glimpse of life before the Great War of a time that will never come again. Steve Turner did an excellent job of finding first hand sources, including interesting photos, to tell the inspirational story of these brave me.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Sneeze program.

Murder on an Alaskan Cruise Ship

2011-02-12T08:01:00.000-08:00

Raleigh Harmon, FBI agent and forensic geologist, is on a working vacation with her family on a cruise to Alaska. Her aunt Charlotte has been hired by a film company to provide crystals to enhance the performance of the actors. Raleigh is the consultant on FBI matters. Almost immediately the vacation turns deadly when the wife of the star is murdered.

Complications arise when Jack Stephenson, her nemesis from her days at the Seattle office, arrives to help with the murder investigation. When her mother discovers that Raleigh is an FBI agent, she has a mental collapse. Claire, the clairvoyant, provides comic relief, and the film company is filled with characters, as is the ship's personnel.

The Alaskan scenery is beautifully described, and we learn a great deal about the geology of the area and about gemstones. The mystery is intertwined with the characters and the setting, but little information is given to allow the reader to participate in the solution. I would call this book more of a thriller than a traditional mystery.

The pace of the novel is good, but I found the main character unlikable. She seems far too angry and disturbed. The minor characters are well drawn, particularly Jack Stephenson and Geert, the officer in charge of ship security. Although the book is billed as Christian fiction, I found the ties to Christianity rather tenuous and primarily related to Raleigh feeling bad about what she's doing, but not changing her behavior. Therefore, I can't really recommend it as Christian fiction.

The scenery and setting on a cruise ship are the most attractive features of the book. If you like the thriller genre, this could be an enjoyable book.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Sneeze Program.

Time to Write a New Story

2011-02-01T10:56:00.000-08:00

Getting stuck in the story of your life is easy. It's change that's hard. In fact, it's not possible until you realize that you can rewrite your life story. All it takes is changing your perspective and thinking about your life in new ways.

I thoroughly enjoyed Same Life, New Story. While the book isn't a traditional self-help book, giving step by step instructions for changing your life, it is a book that makes you think. The author uses the Bible stories of Naomi, Leah, Deborah, Hannah and others to illustrate the theme of looking at your life and with God's help realizing that the old story is not the one you have to have for eternity. Reading about the lives of these women gives concrete illustrations of the challenges in the book: playing it safe, dealing with widowhood, finding self-worth.

The book contains material for group discussions and questions to ask yourself to jump start an analysis of your life. Even if it isn't time for you, personally, to write a new story, the questions are well thought out and will act as a guide when you do think it's time to evaluate your life.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Sneeze program.

A Witty Selection of Quotes

2011-01-24T13:41:00.000-08:00

Chesterton was a literary giant in the early 1900's. Yet his ideas are relevant today. The excellent selection of quotes in Belemonte's The Quotable Chesterton is both an introduction to his writing, allowing a newcomer to sample a variety of his prose, and a compendium to refer to over and over for a serving of Chesterton wit.

The quotes range from serious discussions of Christianity and philosophy to literary criticisms and fiction. I particularly enjoyed enjoyed his quote about Jane Austen. “Jane Austen may have been protected from the truth: but it was precious little of truth that was protected from her.” Chesterton got it exactly right and said it in a pithy sentence. It makes you think and then smile because it is so apt.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a challenging paragraph or sentence to mull over. Belmonte has done an excellent job. It's a tribute to both men.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Sneeze Program.

A Tale of Love and Forgiveness

2010-12-29T07:26:00.000-08:00

The second book in the Ladies of Summerhill series is much like the first. A young woman, Charlotte Hale, wants to be a newspaper reporter. When offered the chance of an undercover assignment, she jumps at it, although he has qualms about the ethical nature of her assignment, particularly after she meets her handsome employer, Daniel Wilmont.

The plot is predictable and the book much too long. As a novella, it might work better. The author has a tendency to wander about in the middle and then rush the ending. The prose is stilted and the character's speech is very formal. I assume the author thinks this is the way people talked at this period.

The Newport setting is intriguing. I enjoyed reading about the manners of the denizens of the cottages and their relationship to the working class. The themes of forgiveness and a young woman finding her relationship to God are a plus and the author handles them with delicacy. If you like romance with a Christian undertone, you may enjoy this book.

I review this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Sneeze Program.

An Exploration of Good and Evil

2010-12-24T06:51:00.000-08:00

Three Seconds is a fast paced crime story, but much more. The plot revolves around the Eastern Europeon Mafia drug traffic. Infiltrators are used by the Swedish police to get information on criminal activities and in this book to attempt to stop the trade.

The central character, Piet Hoffman, works for the Swedish police as an infiltrator. A man with a criminal past, he is used by the police but also distrusted. In the course of his duties, he takes on a dangerous mission with the blessings of the highest levels of government authority. It is in this juxtaposition of the criminal world with the government bureaucracy that the exploration of good and evil occurs.

I found the book fascinating and highly recommend it to lovers of crime fiction and to those interested in character study. For the crime lovers, the clever ruses employed by the criminal element are delightful. (I just hope law enforcement officers are reading this as well as the criminals.) For those interested in psychology, the characters, from Piet, the infiltrator, to Grens, the harden cop, and of course, the beaurocrats, are well drawn and thought provoking.

What a Marvelous Way to Spend a Year

2010-12-15T06:54:00.000-08:00

A Year With God is a unique devotional experience. The book uses God's words from the Old Testament to illustrate the themes of: love and hate, hope and fear, joy and sadness, perseverance and quitting, and many more.

I found the length of the devotionals exactly right for a few minutes of meditation in the morning, or any other time of day that is appropriate for the reader. While not being heavily theological, the devotionals were easy to read and gave you something to think about. I find it helpful to have something that starts my thinking on a topic. I don't like long treatises that try force you to adopt the writer's point of view.

For anyone who wants an uplifting start to the day and an assurance of God's love and care for us, I can highly recommend this book.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Sneeze Program.

A Romance set in Colonial Philadelphia

2010-10-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

Where Hearts Are Free is the third book in the Darkness to Light Series following the adventures of the Clavel family in their new home in Pennsylvania. The main characters in this book are Philippe and Charles, the sons of the family who are working as indentured servants in Philadelphia. The book contrasts the situations of the two brothers. Charles works for a man who abuses his servants. Philippe works for a wealthy family and is well treated.

Bridget, the daughter of the family, falls in love with Philippe although a wealthy girl marrying a servant is unthinkable. The story revolves around Bridget's desire to make her own marriage choices and her parents desire to have her make a suitable match. Through the striving of the young lovers, the book shows the power of Christian love and God's ability to make good things happen.

While the story was interesting, I found the writing very stilted, and it wass difficult to get involved in the fate of the characters because they didn't seem real. However, the story is interesting, and the setting is good. For readers of Christian Romantic Fiction, it should be an enjoyable experience.

A Biblical Interpretation of the Middle East Conflict

2010-09-25T07:49:00.000-07:00

This book presents a very readable perspective on the Middle East conflict from a biblical point of view. I have always been fascinated by the origins of the conflict. Bryant leads the reader through the Bible story of Abraham's family and relates how the original conflict began. I found the explanation of Sarah's use of her handmaiden, Hagar, to help God fulfill his prophecy particularly interesting. Bryant makes an excellent point that God will fulfill his prophecies in his own time. Helping him the way Sarah tried to leads to more problems than it solves. It's a very cogent argument for having faith that God will do what he says if we believe.

The book doesn't rely completely on the past. Bryant also discusses the history of the formation of Israel from lands the Arabs believed had been given to them by God. I learned a great deal from this discussion. I found the second part of the book particularly interesting. Bryant presents a series of chapters giving us the perspective of the players in the Middle East conflict. It was helpful to see how each group firmly believes it is in the right. Unfortunately, this is not a good omen for resolution of the conflict.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the roots of the Middle East Conflict.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Sneeze Program

A Very Uneven Novel

2010-09-24T08:18:00.000-07:00

The most positive thing you can say about The Wake of Forgiveness is that the author has a very descriptive writing style that transports you into the time and place. Unfortunately, the author hasn't mastered the creation of suspense. The story skips back and forth between time periods. This ruins the most suspenseful scenes and keeps the reader wondering where he is in the story. This is a good bad example of the problems with extensive flashbacks.

The book is primarily a character study. I believe it was competently done, but the characters were so cruel and their motivations so selfish that I had a hard time getting interested in their problems. Perhaps the author was trying to say that the harsh land forms harsh characters.

One reason I cannot recommend this story is the amount of animal cruelty. I found the scenes where animals were being hurt repugnant. This might not bother some people, but animal lovers need to be warned about the graphic nature of the scenes where horses are abused.

I read the book as part of the Barnes and Noble First Look Program. I was very glad to have an opportunity to read the book and particularly to discuss it with other readers. It's not a book I would have chosen to read, but I learned something.

A Brief Look at an American Hero

2010-09-06T08:34:00.000-07:00

Although I've read may other books about the Civil War, this one make General Lee come to life. I found the details of his early life, particularly his life with his wife and family fascinating. Somehow, other books failed to make Lee, the husband and father, come alive. In fact, I thought that he didn't like spending time with his wife and family. Being a military man, he spent a great deal of time apart from them, but the brief glimpses of his letters to Mary and his children changed my mind.

This book is not a comprehensive biography, but rather a glimpse of Lee, not only as a fighting man, but as a very human person. Before reading this book, I had never really thought about his religious beliefs. Now I understand what a strong impact his belief in God had on his actions both as a man and a general.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about General Lee. It's not a comprehensive biography, but in a few pages it gives an excellent feel for the man and his times, not just the Civil War hero, but his early life and how important his allegiance to Virginia was to him.

I reviewed this book as part of the Thomas Nelson bloggers program.

Buckley and Conservatism

2010-08-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

Until I read this book, I didn't know much about William Buckley. Now, although I'm not an expert, I at least understand something of his impact on the conservative movement in America. I grew up in the 50's and 60's hearing a lot about politics, but not realizing the role Buckley played. I recommend this book to anyone who, like me, is unfamiliar with the conservative political movement and the part played by William Buckley.

A major advantage of this book is that it's short. Some people may want more detail, but if the purpose of the book was to introduce Buckley and his political philosophy; it did a good job. The author cites numerous other works by the author and other more comprehensive biographies. If this book piques your interest there is a plethora of material to follow up on.

I liked the brevity of the treatment that allowed me to learn about the Firing Line program, and the National Review, as well as Buckley's essays, philosophical works and novels. I'm not sure I would have tackled a longer biography, knowing so little about the subject. Now that I know more, doors have been opened.

I review this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Sneeze Program.

Buckley and Conservatism

2010-08-19T11:08:00.001-07:00

I review this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Sneeze Program.

A Fascinating Glimpse of Military Genius

2010-08-10T07:12:00.000-07:00

Although not as detailed as some biographies, this book gives us a glimpse of Patton and the characteristics that made him a military genius. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on his early life and ancestors. The stories about his childhood and early adulthood bear out the idea that genius is one tenth inspiration and ninety percent perspiration. In order to be great at any profession you have to have a feel for it. However, unless the feel is buttressed by a substantial amount of work, the potential for genius is not fulfilled.

I thought this book was an excellent one for the general reader. It gave enough facts and background description to give you the feel for the era and the political and military concerns without getting too bogged down in battlefield events.

I also liked the description of the roles played by the other generals: Eisenhower, Bradley and Pershing. If the book had been longer, I would have liked to hear more about their interactions, particularly the early encounters. However, I felt the author did a good job at what he set out to do, which was to give an overview of Patton's career for the general reader.

I reviewed this book for Thomas Nelson.

A Gentle Romance

2010-07-29T11:09:00.000-07:00

A thirty year old woman, Ann, comes home to what she thinks is a celebratory weekend. Her younger sister is graduating with a Master's Degree. The weekend becomes tragic when a drunken driver hits their car and the sister dies. This opening draws you in, particularly when the younger sister dies humming a tune that begins to haunt Ann.

While the book is a romance, the thrust of the story is on Ann's relationship to God. She starts as a non-believer, and the tragic death of her sister does nothing to change that. She meets her sister's neighbors, Tammy and her mongoloid son, Keith. They strike Ann as encroaching; not people she wants in her life. However, as she gets to know Keith and understand his simple faith, particularly his faith that angels are around us helping us, she begins to love them.

I recommend this story for those who like a good read, not exciting, not outrageous, but a simple heartwarming story. It makes a very good case for the Christian dilemma of bad things happening to good people. Perhaps, if viewed correctly, they are God's way of helping us grow.

I reviewed this book or the Thomas Nelson Book Sneeze Program.

Jesus for Today

2010-07-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

MacAurthur has an important message for Christians today. In The Jesus You Can't Ignore, he shows us the Jesus many people seem to be understand. The real Jesus was neither meek not mild. He opposed the false piety of the Pharisees even though it led to his death. He didn't try to sit down and give have a nice chat with them. He told them where they were at fault. We, as Christians shouldn't be afraid to do that. Too many Christians today are taking the easy non-confrontational path. When the world is full of religious leaders pushing the easy pop-culture forms of religion, we need to stand up for what we believe. It doesn't help to hide behind pleasant sounding dialect.

MacArthur's point is that it's not easy to follow in the footsteps of Christ. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. In today's world so many churches fail to give what MacArthur calls “hard” preaching. If Christians stand back and fail to confront the false religions and false teachers, then we have lost our way. Christ confronted the religious leaders who preferred to give outward appearances of piety than to tend to their spiritual needs and those of their congregation. Today the risk of falling into the same trap by trying to curry popular opinion is very great. External observances do not substitute for spiritual commitment.