Friday, January 28, 2011

Flight #116 Is Down by Caroline B. Cooney

Well, you know there's going to be a big plane crash since the name and cover picture are a major clue!  This made it hard for me not to race through the beginning chapters that were developing the characters.  I wanted to get to the big crash!  However, it is really important that you take time to read about each person's story and history.  It makes a huges difference in what you learn through the crash and makes the characters much more interesting.  This was a great book and I highly recommend it.  Just take your time to read all of it!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones

I enjoyed reading this book. It was cute, funny and witty. Although it seems quite similar to the movie "The Proposal" but it had a Christian spin on it. I enjoyed the banter between Alex and Lucy and the relationship between Clare and Julian was hilarious to me. I thought it had the right amount of funny and serious as the main characters are dealing with issues in their life that they need to give up to God. In the end, I would recommend this book as great summer reading.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Friday, January 21, 2011

The Hidden Flame by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke

I really enjoy this series. It takes place in first century Jerusalem just after the ascension of Jesus. The book takes many characters from the book of Acts and although the true story of these characters are written into the book the rest of it is obviously the authors version of how it could have been. I really enjoy reading about the apostles and how challenging it was for them and the persecution they stood up to. This is a good read and great reminder how it was for the early church when it was just getting started and how soon they run into opposition yet they stood firm in their faith.

Elyon by Ted Dekker

This is the final book of the "The Lost Books" series, although I wouldn't be surprised if there were more to come out with the way it ended. There was an opening left for sure. I enjoyed this whole series and thought it was well written and very captivating for all audiences. I enjoyed the switch in Darsal and how she was able to be the "hero" versus Johnis always getting that honor.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Lunatic by Ted Dekker

The chosen have made it back to their Earth but now they face many new challenges as the Earth they came back to is vastly different than the one they left 5 years earlier. They are faced with a new challenge of rescue but all is not what it seems and we are left wondering what will be the outcome of this new power.
In Chaos, the chosen are trapped in the "other Earth" where they must figure out how to find the books to get home. More adventure and action and a race against evil, the chosen must choose between good and evil.

Renegade by Ted Dekker

In Book # 3 Billos has gone "renegade". He gives in to a desire for power and ends up in "Paradise" where he is tested by evil and evil is winning. Of course the others must go after him and the adventure continues. The question is will Billos be able to control his human desires to do what he knows is right?

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Dovey Coe by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Winner of the Edgar Allen Poe Award for best mystery fiction, this book does contain a mystery; however, I found it's charm and interest lie in the character development and story line.  The "mystery" really only took a small part at the end of the book.  The mystery is interesting but it's the rest of the book that captured my attention.

The characters are interesting although they live a lifestyle that is much different than upper middle class Bucks County!  I especially liked that Dovey is happy and content in her life just as it is which is something we can all aspire to.  I also liked the simplicity of the Coe's lives and how they enjoyed nature and just being together.  I'd like to live that life!  No tv, no playstation, no computer.  Just the people they love and God's green acres that surrounds them.  Find out how the Coe's do it and read a great mystery, too!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Her Daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers

I loved this book. This is the follow up to Her Mother's Hope which was an extraordinary book as well. The characters that are developed in this story are amazing. I loved how you follow 4 generations of women and how decisions that are made are impacted down to the 4th generation but it doesn't have to continue, the cycle can be broken and God's love can cover a multitude of sins. I highly recommend this book but make sure you start with Her Mother's Hope or you won't understand the full impact of what's going on in this book.

Infidel by Ted Dekker

The second book in "The Lost Books" series this book is a story about a boy wanting to rescue his mother and how it impacts an entire people group. A good book that leaves you wanting to find out what's going to happen in book # 3.

White by Ted Dekker

Well the trilogy continues and I was not disappointed. I couldn't put it down. I had to find out what was going to happen so needless to say this is a quite the page turner. I enjoy how the other series he's written are inter-twined with the characters in this trilogy, yet the stories are completely different. I was impacted by the underlining point of the whole story which is love and how we judge people without seeing them the way God sees them.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

The Ishbane Conspiracy

This book covers a multitude of life situations that would be experienced by teenagers. It is written from the perspective of 4 different teens from all walks of life as well as Ishbane and Foulgrin. It is a similar manner to C.S.Lewis's Screwtape Letters. There are conversations going on between the two demons assigned to these teenagers to influence them in a negative way. It is well written with many thought provoking situations. It really does deal with every conceivable peer pressure out there. I think its a good read that could be really challenging to teens as well as parents.

Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan

This is a devotional style book that gives us a look at the stories behind the hymns many of us grew up with. The book is laid out with the lyrics and music on the left side with the background story on the right side. I really enjoyed reading about the background of some of these hymns as it gives more meaning to the songs when you sing them later. Some of the stories I wanted to hear more about. I also loved that each song had the scripture verse that it was inspired by at the top of each page. Although I would not use this as my only devotion for the day it certainly is inspiring and a great reminder of how these songs came to be.

Red by Ted Dekker

The saga continues in this book which does not disappoint. I love the parallels to the christian life. Its a page turner full of action and I fully enjoy the character development. Another great read.

Black by Ted Dekker

The beginning of the "Circle Trilogy" is quite a story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading through the two worlds that Thomas Hunter is living through. You have to like fantasy to enjoy this but it is quite thought provoking and makes you imagine what it would be like to live through a world with no idea of what evil is. On the other hand is a world full of evil and one man's journey to stop it. I am looking forward to following these characters into the next book.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Flight Of Shadows by Sigmund Brouwer

Futuristic look at society and what can happen as man's will prevails.

While this is considered "Christian fiction", that may be a stretch.  You will not be stumbling across a lot of God's word.  There are also some fairly graphic portrayals of some violence.  However, Brower is a good writer and weaves several plotlines together until the end, when these parallel stories come together.



note: i received this book free in exchange for a review of any type.

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes

The setting and the dialogue took me to a place that I am not familiar with.   In addition, the characters change with each chapter and, in between, is a poem by that character that you've been introduced to.  Poetry is not my favorite to read.  None of this is bad it just made it harder for me to get started with this book ... but it was definitely worth it.

The story takes place in a Bronx high school in an English class that introduces kids to poetry.  But it's way more than that as you'll come to see each person learn that there is way more behind their classmates "masks" and that we all pretend to be someone we aren't, especially in the tough high school years.  As the kids get a better appreciation of who the kids around them are, they learn about themselves and their dreams and that they just may be able to reach them.

Stick with it to the end!