Thursday, November 15, 2012

Book Review: Fire Prophet


Another Great installment in the series!!  The Fire Prophet by Jerel Law continues the story of Jonah and Eliza with their amazing journey and adventures as quarter angels.  This time there is a worldwide attack on all quarter angels.  Jonah and Eliza, along with their younger brother Jeremiah, have to face another round of battles against Abaddon and all his fallen angels.  Elohim is always there for them and helps them through many battles.  As their talents grow, they also learn to lean on Elohim and each other more and more to succeed. 

I really enjoyed this first book of this series (Spirit Fighter) and the second is no exception.  I know I am not the target audience for these books but I still really enjoyed them. They are a nice quick read with an affirming message of leaning on God and all the amazing things that can happen.  It is also a nice way for kids to understand the unseen spiritual battle that occurs around us every day.  Yes a little exaggerated (I hope) but still a fun insightful introduction.

Note: I did receive a copy of this book for free from www.booksneeze.com to read and review.  The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Book Review: Isle of Shadows


The isle of Shadows by Tracy Higley is a story of Tessa, the most famous courtesan on the island.  She hates her life with her current partner Glaucus.  When he unexpectedly dies from an accident, she sees it as her way of attaining freedom.  With the help of two unsuspecting servants a plan is put into motion to save all their lives and the life of everyone on the island. 

I have to say I have read a couple books like this lately and really enjoyed this one.  I don’t know if it was me or the book but I could not get through this book.  There was a lot going on and yet it seemed so slow.  I liked the characters and the plot.  I just couldn’t get excited about the story and it seemed to take forever to get there.

I hope some of you really enjoy this book. This book was a Christy Award finalist for a reason.  I was just unable to get it into it as others had. 


Note: I did receive a copy of this book for free from www.booksneeze.com to read and review.  The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Book Review: Marriage of the Hearts


The Marriage of the Heart, Three Novellas by Kelly Long contains the stories The Perfect Secret, Christmas Cradles, and A Marriage of the Heart.  The first novella, the Perfect Secret, was in another Kelly Long novella book, An Amish Wedding.  I enjoyed it then and I enjoyed rereading it now.

Christmas Cradles is a story about Anna who fills in for her Aunt as a midwife on Christmas. As she is called from house to house to help deliver babies, she makes a new connection with her driver.  It’s a great story on new life, forgiveness, and new beginnings.  I was a wonderful quick read.

The Marriage of the Hearts is a story of Abagail and Joseph who are married abruptly without knowing each other well.  As they live out their married life they learn to trust and love each other.  Most of all they gain a family they never had before with each other and their community.

Overall I enjoyed reading these novellas. I’m not the biggest fan of authors reusing their stories in books like this. At first you feel like you are getting more for your money (3 for the price of one) but when you already own books by this author you get less of a deal.

Note: I did receive a free copy of this book from www.booksneeze.com to read and review.  The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.

Book Review: Darkness Rising


Darkness Rising by Lis Whiel and Pete Nelson is the second book in the Salem Series.  I read the first book a while back and love it.  I was so excited to see a second one was available.  I got a copy of it as quickly as I could.
This book picked up right where the last one left off.   The book description is

“The evil in East Salem is no longer content to hide in the shadows. The stakes—and the darkness—are rising.

Dani Harris thought there wasn’t much left that could surprise her after serving as a forensic psychiatrist in East Salem. And Tommy Gunderson has faced few challenges in his life that he couldn’t overcome by either physical strength or his celebrity status.

But as they race to uncover what’s really happening behind the high walls of St. Adrian’s Academy, it becomes clear that supernatural forces have been at work here for generations. And now their focus is on making sure Dani and Tommy don’t interfere.

When the unseen becomes seen, faith is the only weapon strong enough to fight in a battle involving not just murder and betrayal—but angels and demons.”

I would recommend this book series to anyone.  It is a fun fast read.  Although there are a lot of new important character additions in this book, their personalities and interactions with each other help the reader keep track of who is who.  
One of the main things I love about this book is that I can’t guess the ending.  There are a few times you have an idea how certain situations are going to play out but I would never had guessed the ending of this book. I cannot wait for the third installment in the series.

 Note: I did receive a copy of this book from www.booksneeze.com to read and review.  The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Book Review: The River


The River by Michael Neale had me with the first chapter.  This is the kind of book that you start and cannot put down.  I could have read it all night (if I didn’t have to work in the morning).

Gabriel Clark was born and raised around the river. His father was a white water instructor and spent all their time hiking, swimming, and kayaking in and around the river until the unfortunate day when he was five years old.  Then everything changed. 

Gabriel couldn’t deny the feeling of the River drawing him but he has learned to fear and hate the river for what it has done to his life. When he comes back years later he searches for the answers to life and how the River fits.

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.  He author did an amazing job writing the story. The characters are so full of life and depth. 

I can’t wait to read more books my Mr. Neale in the future.

 
Note: I did receive a free copy of The River from www.booksneeze.com to read and review.  The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.  To find out more information you may visit www.booksneeze.com

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Book Review: The scent of rain


The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck is a fun Christian Romantic Comedy about Daphne. Daphne quit her job at the number one perfumery in Paris as a “nose” to move back the US to marry her fiancĂ© Mark and move to Ohio.  When Mark leaves her at the altar, takes her old job, and puts question on her experience she struggles to keep going.  To make all things worse she loses her sense of smell in all the chaos.

At first Jesse did not like the idea of his company who makes cleaning products hiring a “nose” to help increase sales.  Too much was riding on the next quarter and profits had to be made.  Now he had to fit a new salary into the mix. 

Jesse and Daphne have their conflicts from the beginning.  Both have broken hearts and are closed to any close relationship, professional or other.  As they set their plan on tolerating each other for 6 months, connections start to form that throw both their worlds upside down.
 

I really enjoyed this book.  It was a fun romantic comedy to read and different than the books I have been reading lately.  Yes, you know what’s coming… the two people who are thrown together in a less than ideal situation but just happen to complement each other perfectly.. What will happen???


I would recommend this book for someone who wanted to take a relaxing break and just have fun reading. 
 

Note: I was given a copy of this book to read and review for free from www.booksneeze.com.  I was not compensated for a positive review.  The opinions above are my own.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Book Review: You Be Sweet


YEA for more cookbooks!!!!

You be sweet: Sharing your heart one down-home recipe at a time by Patsy Caldwell and Amy Lyles Wilson is a great compilation of yummy desserts.  There are many I am very excited about trying.

The ones I have my eye on most is the red velvet cheesecake, caramel pie, graham cracker cake with pineapple lemon filling and cream cheese frosting, milky way pecan pound cake, pink lemonade cupcakes, lemon layer cake, marshmallow ice cream, Verna’s sour cream apple pie with cinnamon topping, and honey peanut butter topping.  Everything sounds so good.

I really like the lay out of the book, the many pictures, and the discussion from the authors at the beginning of each chapter explaining where the recipes came from and some history. 

This will be a great addition to my wall of recipe books.  I’m sure I will be pulling this one out at for many special occasions and hopefully some every day occasions too.

Note: I did receive a free copy of this book from www.booksneeze.com to read and review.  The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.  To find out more information go to www.booksneeze.com.