Check below for the newest posts from my new blog A Whole New Me! Join me as I continue on my weight loss journey. I'll be reviewing books that contribute to a healthier lifestyle, sharing my progress and hopefully improving from the inside out!
Every year we lose more people to AIDS. It hasn't disappeared and it's not going away anytime soon. I urge you to seek out and support your local AIDS Organizations. Encourage everyone you know to practice safe sex and to get tested once a year. Even if you don't think you are at risk, get tested. I didn't think I was at risk either, and I almost died before I was diagnosed.
Paperback: 333 pages Publisher: Howard Books; Original edition (May 11, 2010) Language: English ISBN-10: 1416599916 ISBN-13: 978-1416599913 Description (Publicist) Deb Raney delivers an emotion-packed, gripping story with the creation of Bryn.
A firefighter's wife, Bryn thinks she knows more than most just how dangerous fire can be. Yet when it takes the life of her husband and four other firefighters, Bryn sees fire for the thief it truly is.
From their mutual despair, Bryn and another firefighter's surviving spouse form a close friendship. As the relationship begins to blossom into more, though, the thief comes again and Bryn must face the question: what caused the fire that stole her husband's life?
About The Author The award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty novels, Deborah Raney always delivers poignant stories of what it means to wrestle with the realities of a world in chaos...and emerge triumphant.
Her books have received the RITA Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers' Choice Award, Silver Angel, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. Her novel, A Vow To Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title.
Author Website Review This was such a touching book. I'd really recommend this book to everyone. While it's Christian fiction, it's something that's woven through the story vs. something that knocks you over the head. Watching the relationship of these two characters as they move from a devastating loss to beginning to live again is enthralling. Then witnessing the dilemma that Bryn goes through as she tries to follow through with what she thinks is the right thing to do is heart-rending. I can't recommend this one highly enough. I love Deborah Raney's books as she really seems to capture real life emotions and dramas.
Description(Publisher Website) Race. Culture. They can unite. They often divide. When Luke Anderson falls in love with Native American Dove Morris, he's unprepared for the prejudice his parents level against her. Luke struggles with his feelings until a wildfire threatens the Morris ranch. Luke joins the battle to stave off the fire as it approaches and risks his life to save Dove. Will his mom and dad ever understand that love transcends boundaries of race and culture?
About The Author Sophomore Novelist, Long-Time Believer
Martha Rogers placed her faith in Jesus Christ 65 years ago. He has seen her through her step-father's sexually abusive behavior toward her sister and brother, her own breast cancer, two mastectomies, two miscarriages, her husband's heart attack, her grandson's cystic fibrosis, and the deaths of her parents. She holds a Master's degree in education and enjoyed a 36-year teaching career. To say she's an inspiration to those of us trying to walk a faithful path is a gross understatement.
Review This is another great book by Martha Rogers! This is a very sweet story about young love and combating prejudice. I really enjoyed the budding romance between Luke and Dove, as well as the fact that neither was willing to sneak around to be able to visit each other. I appreciated the honesty in their relationships with their parents, even when it was difficult for them. As far as Christian fiction goes, this is definitely very much on the Christian side. For me that wasn't a problem and I really enjoyed the story, but it might not appeal to someone who doesn't like something so overtly Christian. However, this story would be appropriate for younger readers also.
Description (Publisher Website)
It was stolen from Alexander the Great. To keep it safe, Edgar Allen Poe bargained away his sanity. And somebody suckered P. T. Barnum to get their hands on it. It’s the most closely guarded secret in the magician community. And it’s missing.
What would you do to protect your family from an ancient pyramid capable of stealing your very soul?
Nick Rostov finally has the life he’s always dreamed—and he’ll do anything to protect it.
Nick has only now discovered he is part of an extended Russian family of magicians: the Magickeepers. He lives with his eccentric new relatives at the Winter Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, where they perform daring feats of magic to a packed house. Real magic.
But Nick and his family face a new danger in the form of a stolen relic, the Pyramid of Souls. The tiny pyramid has traded hands many times throughout history. Its power can steal a magician’s very soul.
Nick knows who took it: Rasputin, leader of the Shadowkeepers. Using his unique ability as a Gazer—one who can see into the past—Nick enlists his cousin Isabella to help him find it. Soon, the two are hot on the evil sorcerer’s trail…until Isabella’s soul is trapped by the very relic they’re trying to find.
Nick will do anything to rescue Isabella and recover the Pyramid of Souls. But will it be enough to save his family?
About The Author
Erica Kirovis an American writer of Russian descent. Though she is not from a family of magicians, she is from a proud family of Russians, and she grew up hearing stories of their lives there.
In the last four years, Erica has seen eighteen novels published for adults. She has garnered rave reviews from US Weekly magazine (twice selected for the “Hot Book Pick”), Cosmopolitan, Kirkus, Women’s World, American Girl, Forbes, Kiplinger’s, as well as newspapers including the Chicago Sun-Times and a recent front-page spread in the Flair section of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. She writes on http://teenfictioncafe.blogspot.com as well as her parenting blog, http://demonbabyandme.blogspot.com/.
Erica lives in Virginia with her husband, four children, three dogs, parrot, and her son’s snake (she really hates snakes). She is busy at work on the next Magickeepers novel.
Review
As with the first Magickeepers book, this is an absolutely delightful read. While it's intended for 9-12 year olds, I have to tell you that once again I was glued to the story. Kirov has such an imagination and entertaining style of writing that even adults will be hooked from the first page. This is definitely one you'll want to introduce the young readers in your life to! The book is full of magic, elephants, tigers, pyramids and more even more magic.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Jabberwocky for providing me with a copy of this book to review.
Hardcover: 224 pages Publisher: Bethany House (May 1, 2010) Language: English ISBN-10: 0764207059 ISBN-13: 978-0764207051
Description (Publisher Website) What If You Could Find a Way to Renew Your Enthusiasm for Ministry?
You have that help in your hands. Deftly analyzing and applying the latest previously unpublished research, Charles Stone has identified major causes of frustration and burnout among pastors and church leaders. But the book doesn't stop there. Here is a practical plan that will:
* Show how to defeat obstacles with the potential to kill your ministry
* Illustrate healthy ways to respond to aggravating issues
* Minimize the draining effects ministry places on you and your family (with wise insights from Sherryl Stone, the author's wife)
* Demonstrate how to share with others what they can do to help
By learning to open up with vulnerability, own up with humility, show up with integrity, and speak up with courage, you can experience healing and renewed joy in service to Christ, your family, and your church.
~ 80% of pastors believe being in pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families
~ 70% say they have a lower self-image now than when they first started
~ 40% report serious conflict with a parishioner at least once per month
~ Only 1 of every 10 pastors will actually retire as a minister in some form
Being a pastor is hard, no doubt about it. Burnout is all too common. After serving 30+ years as a pastor, Dr. Charles Stone had enough. He went in search of the killer of ministry. Working with The Barna Group, LifeWay Research, and Christianity Today's NationalChristianPoll.com, he surveyed over 1,900 pastors and 1,000 non-pastors.
He found not one, but FIVE killers and he's calling them out in FIVE MINISTRYKILLERS and How to Defeat Them: Help for Frustrated Pastors. Even better, he's telling pastors how to defeat the killer so that a ministry can live.
The pastor of Ginger Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago, Dr. Stone presents the Truth of God's Word to about 1,200 congregants each weekend. He has served in ministry over thirty years and, together with his daughter, is author of Daughters Gone Wild - Dads Gone Crazy.
More about the Author
Charles Stone, DMin, serves as senior pastor of Ginger Creek Community Church, in suburban Chicago. He has been in the ministry for 30 years, has published numerous articles in church and ministry magazines, and is the coauthor (with his daughter) of Daughters Gone Wild--Dads Gone Crazy. Charles has graduate degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife, Sherryl, have three adult children. For more information, visit www.charlesstone.net
Review There is a lot of practical advice for those who are in ministry within these 200+ pages. While this book is mainly directed at Pastors, I think it would be helpful for anyone who is involved in any sort of ministry. Let's face it, burn out and temptation are huge problems for anyone who is in ministry, whether you lead the choir, teach Sunday school, lead a Bible Study or are a Deacon in your church. Rather than burying your head in the sand, Stone gives you practical ways to identify problems before they become "ministry killers", ways to conquer them and keep your ministry alive. This is one of those books that every Pastor should have on their shelf and it should be referred to on a regular basis.
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (May 4, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061624780
ISBN-13: 978-0061624780
Description (Publisher Website)
Zee Finch has come a long way from a motherless childhood spent stealing boats—a talent that earned her the nickname Trouble. She's now a respected psychotherapist working with the world-famous Dr. Liz Mattei. She's also about to marry one of Boston's most eligible bachelors. But the suicide of Zee's patient Lilly Braedon throws Zee into emotional chaos and takes her back to places she though she'd left behind.
What starts as a brief visit home to Salem after Lilly's funeral becomes the beginning of a larger journey for Zee. Her father, Finch, long ago diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, has been hiding how sick he really is. His longtime companion, Melville, has moved out, and it now falls to Zee to help her father through this difficult time. Their relationship, marked by half-truths and the untimely death of her mother, is strained and awkward.
Overwhelmed by her new role, and uncertain about her future, Zee destroys the existing map of her life and begins a new journey, one that will take her not only into her future but into her past as well. Like the sailors of old Salem who navigated by looking at the stars, Zee has to learn to find her way through uncharted waters to the place she will ultimately call home. Read An Excerpt
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Description (Publisher Website) Presenting a 13-DVD series from the creator of VeggieTales, Phil Vischer! Each DVD is filled with original music, animation, puppets, and creative writing that will teach kids about God and his Word. The first DVD introduces kids to the Bible and the book of beginnings, Genesis. Kids will learn about the key people in Genesis and the important lessons their stories teach us.
From the man who made vegetables talk (and sing, dance, and tell Bible stories), comes an engaging new series that walks kids through the entire Bible. What’s In the Bible? springs from Phil Vischer’s passion to reverse the trend of biblical illiteracy in the church. Unlike previous efforts to retell Bible stories, this 13-part DVD series explains the Bible—from Genesis to Revelation—in a format that is humorous and entertaining for children and adults alike.
In the Beginning and Let My People Go, the first two volumes of What’s In the Bible?, were released in March 2010 from Jellyfish Labs and Tyndale Kids.
In the Beginning introduces Buck Denver and his friends as they share how the first 11 chapters of Genesis set up the rest of the Bible—and all of life. Kids will learn the simple, yet challenging lesson that things go well when we listen to God, and go very badly when we don’t.
In Let My People Go, Buck Denver and friends introduce kids to Abraham and how God uses him to start a great nation called Israel. Through the stories of Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, children will learn that they can always count on God and trust his promises.
The entertaining cast of characters explains what’s in the Bible, how it’s organized, who wrote it, and what it’s all about. Vischer does it all in an engaging format, using a mix of animation, puppets, live action, and music.
Each DVD includes two 25 to 30-minute episodes that each answer a different question about the Bible, such as:
Where did the Bible come from?
How did we get it?
Who wrote it?
How do we know we can trust it?
How do all the different books come together to tell one key story?
What’s In the Bible? continues the work Phil Vischer started 10 years ago with VeggieTales. While that series taught kids important values and Bible stories, What’s In the Bible? provides an overview of all the books of the Bible, what they mean, and how they affect our lives. Parents and children’s ministry leaders will appreciate how What’s In the Bible? lays the foundation for deeper biblical understanding in children, ages four to 84.
About Phil Vischer In 1990, 24-year-old computer animator Phil Vischer sat down to create a group of characters that could teach Christian values to kids in a delightfully weird way. Hence, a tomato named Bob and a cucumber named Larry were born. VeggieTales would go on to revolutionize Christian filmmaking, selling more than 50 million videos and placing Phil's faith-filled stories in one in every three American households with young children. Phil is highly respected by key leaders across the Christian landscape, from Joel Osteen to James Dobson. His company, Jellyfish Labs, provides faith-based daily programming via the Internet at jellytelly.com. The characters from the What's in the Bible? series are featured, but the content is not specifically from the DVDs. Phil continues to pursue innovative ways to integrate faith and storytelling through Jellyfish Labs. He chose the name Jellyfish as a reminder to remain pliable to God's plans and not his own. Phil lives with his wife, Lisa, and their three kids in Illinois.
Review Both of these DVD's are absolutely delightful! As with Veggie Tales, Vischer has a definite cast of comical, yet loveable characters that both kids and adults will adore. The information on the DVD's both educates and entertains, and will be a staple in your household for years to come.
I adored these! I've been a fan of Veggie Tales for years, but What's In The Bible is not a VeggieTales knock off, it's definitely a stand alone series. And it's wonderful! Vischer is amazing. When it comes to taking something hard for kids to understand and creating something that is so much fun and entertaining, Vischer is pure genius.
These DVD's have been watched over and over since they arrived at my home, and they are still funny and still entertaining. I don't think I could even name a favorite character - they are all plain awesome!
This is an amazing series that teaches a wonderful message at the same time entertains.
Thanks to Tyndale for providing me copies for review.
Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Pocket; 1 edition (March 30, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1439107246
ISBN-13: 978-1439107249
Description (Publisher Website)
In RITA® Award–winning author Gwyn Cready’s fun and sexy new time-travel adventure, an ambitious writer discovers that bad-boy painters are as timeless—and irresistible—as their art. . . .
Art historian Campbell Stratford is about to make a name for herself with her scandalously sexy tell-all “fictographies” of famous seventeenth-century artists, but she’s more iintimately familiar with her subjects than her eager readers can imagine. Thanks to a time portal she accidentally discovered, she has caused quite a stir in the Great Beyond. To save their reputations, the Guild protecting dead artists convinces playboy Peter Lely, portraitist to the king, to sabotage Cam’s latest project. A few hours posing on Sir Peter’s modeling chaise leads to a night of seductive passion—then Cam returns home and discovers his betrayal. But before she can turn her angry pen on her lover, Sir Peter makes a surprise visit to the future and transforms Cam’s twenty-first-century life into chaos of classic proportions. . . .
About the Author
Gwyn Cready is the RITA Award winning author of sexy, funny, romantic romance novels. Publishers Weekly called Tumbling Through Time, her debut, "a joy," and Seducing Mr. Darcy was named Best Paranormal Romance Novel of 2009. She lives in Pittsburgh with her family.
This time-travel romance was superb. Perfect mix of past and present. This is great escapism and you wont be disappointed in this offering from Cready. Make sure you pick this one up, put your feet up and enjoy!
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402224346
ISBN-13: 978-1402224348
Description
Covered with burn scars, having lost an eye and a thumb in a nearly fatal accident, Luke Morgan's days as a ladies' man are over. But his bitterness, far more than his injuries, threatens to tear apart his family and their business.
Abby Stanford is a physical therapist on vacation in Florida. When she meets Luke, she understands everything he's going through. She finds herself powerfully attracted to him, damaged though he believes he is. Abby can look beyond his pain and anger to see the man he is inside, enabling Luke, too, to see himself as whole and desirable once again…
Review
Another great romance to pick up for your summer reading. The romance is hot between Luke and Abby and perfect for your beach reading, or just to escape and relax. I'd never read anything by this author before, but I'll be watching for anything else by Cornelison. If you're looking for a little romance this is a keeper.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this book.
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Revell; Original edition (August 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800733398
ASIN: B00375LNJC
Description (Publisher Website)
One woman searches for love--and herself--in a wild land.
Lovely and high-spirited, Lael Click is the daughter of a celebrated frontiersman. Haunted by her father's ties to the Shawnee Indians and her family's past, Lael comes of age in the fragile Kentucky settlement her father founded. As she faces the many trials of life on the frontier, Lael draws strength from the rugged land. But the arrival of a handsome doctor threatens her view of her world, her God, and herself. Can the power of grace and redemption break through in this tumultuous place?
This epic novel gives you a glimpse into the simple yet daring lives of the pioneers who first crossed the Appalachians, all through the courageous eyes of a determined young woman who would not be defeated.
About TheAuthor
Laura Frantz credits her 100-year-old grandmother as being the catalyst for her fascination with Kentucky history. Frantz's family followed Daniel Boone into Kentucky in 1792 and settled in Madison County, where her family still resides. Frantz is the author of The Frontiersman's Daughter and currently lives in the misty woods of Washington state with her husband and two sons.
Review
This book was really fantastic. The detail about life in the early settler days of Kentucky was fun to read and the story was excellent. I can't wait to read more from Frantz. I think she's an excellent writer. Fans of historical Christian fiction will love this book, and I think that it would appeal to all fans of historical fiction. This book, while Christian, doesn't hit the reader over the head with the message so I think it would really appeal to a wide audience of readers. I loved the constant pull between the civilized world and the world of the neighboring 'savages'. Excellently written, this is a great book!
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this book!
Beloved author Gayle Roper begins a contemporary Amish series readers are sure to love....
Englischer Kristie Matthews’ move to an Amish family farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, starts on a bad note as the young schoolteacher is bitten by a dog. A trip to the local ER leads to an encounter with an old man who hands her a key and swears her to silence.
But when Kristie’s life is endangered, she suspects there’s a connection to the mysterious key. While solving the mystery (and staying alive), Kristie must decide whether her lawyer boyfriend, Todd Reasoner, is really right for her....or if Jon Clarke Griffin, the new local man she’s met, is all he seems to be.
Mystery, romance, and a beautiful Amish settling....just the thing readers are clamoring for.
About The Author
Gayle Roper is the award-winning author of more than 40 books and has been a Christy finalist three times. Gayle enjoys speaking at women’s events across the nation and loves sharing the powerful truths of Scripture with humor and practicality. She lives with her husband in southeastern Pennsylvania where she enjoys reading, gardening, and her family.
Review
I really enjoyed this look into the life of the Amish. I think more than any other book of this genre that I've read, it really focused on a lot of the everyday life vs. idea of what we think it is. The story was fun and kept me reading, the writing was excellent. Anyone who is a fan of this genre should put this at the top of their TBR list. This is definitely one that you won't want to miss.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this book.
Paperback: 300 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers; Original edition (January 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736926984
ISBN-13: 978-0736926980
Description(Publisher Website)
Talented new author Hillary Manton Lodge brings a new twist to the popular Amish novel.
Jayne Tate loves her life as it is—living in a big city, working as a reporter for a fast-paced newspaper, and dating a guy who knows nothing about her past. When her father passes away though, she’s forced to take another look at what she wants out of life. After losing out on the big career opportunity she was hoping for, she decides to escape to Oregon Amish country, seeking solace and maybe a big story.
Even in this land of buggies and bonnets, Jayne finds life more complicated than she expected. Can she persuade herself that her growing friendship with the mysterious and handsome Levi Burkholder is just about research? And what’s a latte-drinking, laptop-using, motorcycle-riding reporter to do when this new life starts to change her?
With humor, faith, and unexpected romance, Plain Jayne will delight readers.
About The Author
Hillary Manton Lodge graduated from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism She works as a freelance photographer while following her passion to write fiction. The author of Plain Jayne, she and her husband, Danny, live in Eugene, Oregon.
Review
I really enjoyed this book. While it's a wonderful Amish Romance, it's also a look at what happens when people leave the Amish life and the ramifications of that. I thought it was a wonderful look 'inside'. The story was well paced and well written and it really was a wonderful romance.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book.
Esthetician to the stars Raisa Ruder learned her time-tested beauty techniques from her Ukrainian grandmother (or babushka, as they say in the old country). Now everyone can discover the all-natural, better-than-botox secrets the Hollywood stars use to shine on the red carpet! Ruder reveals her sought-after beauty recipes that can fight wrinkles, plump lips, and eliminate crow's feet and acne, using inexpensive, everyday grocery items like eggs, honey, vegetable oil and strawberries (and a splash of vodka for freshness!). At last, by popular demand, Raisa Ruder opens up her babushka's secret pantry and shares her most amazing and effective beauty advice:
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Paperback: 333 pages
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