Wednesday, December 30, 2009

I, Alex Cross by James Patterson

Alex Cross is back trying to solve a crime but this time is involves who killed his niece.  His investigating leads him to the seamy underside of Washington Politics and the most powerful people in the country.  This book has graphic violence and language and I was put off a bit by this.  I had a hard time relating to the characters and really didn't find myself invested in the book.  Not the best Alex Cross book.

Sarah's Song and Hannah's hope by Karen Kingsbury

I finished the final two books in the Red Gloves collection.  They were both okay but they liked the drama that I have come to know and appreciate from karne Kingsbury books.  Now I know that you can't pack alot fo drama in a novella but still I reaally like her full length books much better. 
For what they were these books were a quick read and just right for the Chrismas Season. 
Sarah's Song is about a lady who is in a nursing home and will prabably be celebrating her last Christmas and about an aide who is disallusioned with her marriage and has told her husband that she is leaving after Christmas.  Sarah has a ritual that she has 12 ornaments that represent part of her life and she wrote a song that goes along with the ritual.  You will have to read the book to find out what happens next.
Hannah's Hope is about a girl named Hannah whose mother tells her that the man she has thought is her father is really a stepfather.  The mother does this just to keep Hannah occupied over Christmas break as the parents are ambassadors and won't have time to come home.  Hannah's real father is in the army and is in Iraq on a special mission which he takes because he has given up hopw every finding his daughter.  Read it to find out what happens. 

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

The White Horse King:The Life of Alfred the Great by Benjamin Merkle

I read this as a part of Thomas Nelson blogger review program.  I had never heard of Alfed but I have recently become interested in England and it's kings so I thought I would give it a try.  I found the sidebars that were put into the texts instead of using footnotes as very distracting and it did take away from my enjoyment of the book.  I would recommend this book however if you are interested in England and it's kings.
I have always been fascinated by the Vikings and I was interested to read about what Alfred did when attacked by the Vikings. I was interested in learning more about different customs they had and practiced.

I thought this was a very intesting book and I learned quite a bit.  

Thursday, December 10, 2009

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

I belong to Audible.com and listen to quite few audio books so was very excited when as a Christmas gift to their subscribers they offered a free version of A Christmas Carol read by Tim Curry.  I am sorry to say that I was a bit disappointed.  I guess I expected Tim Curry to be a bit more extravagant with his voices.  The book was read very well, don't get me wrong but I guess I was expecting more.  I did enjoy the story as I enjoy it every year at this time of the year.  Scrooge is the perfect example of how anybody can change.     

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

It's been alittle while since I reviewed here and I have read several

I have recently read two of Karn Kingsbury's Red Glove collection.  I read Gideon's Gift which was about a little girl named Gideon (I have never heard of a girl named Gideon before) who has cancer and what she does for a homeless man at Christmas times.  The second book I read was Maggie's Miracle which is about a woman named Megan who has given up on love and a man name Casey who is still getting over his wife's death.  These stories are quick little books that are perfect for this time of year as they are set during the Christmas time.  I kinda knew what was going to happen in both of the books but it was enjoyable to read them.  I came away feeling goos which is what I wanted out of them.

Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti audiobook.  I listened to an abridged version of this and I really do prefer the unabrideged version.  I guess the abridged version wouldn't be bad if you didn't already know the story but as this is a book that I have read several times I could tell that parts were missing.  It is a good story none the less.  It is the continuation of the book This Present Darkness.  In this story the forces of good and evil are at it again but over a small Christian School.  This edition was read by Frank Perretti the author.  I recommend this series if you like suspense but read or listen to the unabridged versions.

Cooking Up Murder by Miranda Bliss e-reader.  I read this on my ereader at work before I went to bed. It was okay but not sure if I will continue with the series.  A recently divorced women and her friend sign up to take a cooking class only to have someone die in the parking lot after class one night.  Was it a heart attack or murder?  And if it was murder who would want the man dead?  It did keep me guessing but really I didn't come to carre for any of the characters that much so by the end of the book I really didn't care.

The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson and Martin Dugard audio.  I really enjoyed this book as it was written like a novel but packed alot of history into the story.  It went back and forth between when Tut was alive and when he was discovered.        

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Key Lime Murder by Joanne Fluke

This was another enjoyable mystery featuring Hannah Swensen and her ffamily and friends in Lake Eden.  This time it is set around the cLake Eden fair.  Michelle, Hannah's Sister, is entered in the beauty contest, her mother's group has a dunking booth and Hannah is judging the baking entries.  One of her fellow judges winds up found dead on the fair grounds.  Was  it a contestant?  And what's wrong with Moishe hannah's cat?  You will have to read to find out.  

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Take One by Karen Kingsbury






What a great idea. I was sad when the Baxter series ended (although I need to read the first series). This book takes the family but focusing on Bailey and Cody in college and adding new characters. The Baxter family are secondary characters but it is nice to reconnect with them just a bit. In this book we are introduced to
Kevin and Chase who want to make a movie that is not a Christian movie per se but one that will impact lives. Kevin's daughter Andi has started college and is Bailey's roommater. She wants to shed her missionary kid image and makes some decisions that aren't all that great. this is a great book.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Noticer by Andy Andrews

I belong to Thomas Nelson Blogger reviewers. The book that I am reading now is The Noticer by Andy Andrews.


In the first chapters two things struck me,

One is this quote" Why does everyone think that when people say that God will put a person after His own heart where He wants him to be that it means God will put them on a mountaintop or in a big house or at the front of the line?"



As the book goes on to say that everyone wants to be on the Mountain top but if you think about it the mountain tops are usually cold and rocky and no growth but down in the valleys there is all kinds of growing going on, the top of the mountain does give us a great view but a view is just to give us a glimpse of our next destination, the next mountain. Then we need to come down into the valley and start climbing the next mountain. I paraphrased a bit but that's the general idea.



We always think that the mountain top is the best, being first in line is best. But where ever you are now is where God wants you to be and it's up to you to learn the lessons that God wants you to learn so you can continue on your destination and start climbing that next mountain.



The next thing that struck me is this statement. Whatever you focus upon, increases. If you focus on what you need, your needs increase. If you focus on what you don't have you will focusing on other things that you don't have, but if you have a grateful perspective you are happy and have abundance in your life. If you are happy and enthusiastic people like to be around you. Opportunities and encouragement come from people and if people like to be around you , you get more opportunities and encouragement. But the opposite is true also, if you are negative , complaining, and disagreeeable other people stay away then things just get worse and worse.


This book goes on to tell about stories of when different people meet Jones, a man that helps them to look at their lives in a different perspective.
 This book also helped me to look at my life from a different perspective.  Great Little book.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

This book was nothing like the movies you have seen.  I listened to it on audio which I am glad I did because I don't think I would have finished it if I were to read it.  It is very good at showing man's depravity.  I actually found myself feeling sorry for the monster.  He wanted nothing else but to be loved and because of his deformity could not find love. I thought it kinda careless of Frankenstein to just leave his monster and not worry about what would happen.  He just abandons him and then is surprised that the monster hates him.  I did find it a bit unbelivable that the monster learned to read the way it is described in the book especially when he is  reading the books he is reading.  This is anther book that is labeld a classic and I don't understand what all the fuss is about.  It was okay but not a classic to me.

Cherry Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke

A movie is going to be made in Lake Eden and everyone in the town will be effected.  Main street is going to be closed down for the filming and Hannah will be making a cheesecake for the Director.  But when he is killed while demostrating how to play a scene Hannah and her friends and family are out to find out who did it.  Another enjoyable story with some delicious recipes.   

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Green by Ted Dekker

Green by Ted Dekker is called The Circle book zero.  It is supposed to be the book that you can start with or end the series that includes the books. Black, Red, and White.  This book deals with two realities The one that Thomas Hunter lives in with the Circle or albinos, the people that drowned in the pools of Elyon, and the Horde the followers of Teelah who have a skin disease that makes their skin turn into scabs thus they are nicknamed Scabs.  The other reality is Earth in modern day after they have suffered a virus outbreak that killed alot of the population. 

This story is very allegorical and it brings the people of Thomas' reality come to the edge of Armageddon.  Elyon is God, Teelah is Satan And various people in the story are Christ, the antichrist, false prophet. 

The story is very action packed and it does go back and forth between the two realities but it is mostly focused on the Circle.

You are suppose to be able to read this book either as the end to the series or as the beginning.  I have read Black but not the other two books and I think I would have enjoyed Green better if I had read the other two books first.  I think because I read Black that I understood a bit more about what was going on in the story.

If you are a suspense fan ore a fantasy fan then this book will be right up your alley.

I read this as part of Thomas Nelson Blogger Reviewer Program.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Comanche Moon by Larry McMurtry

Comanche Moon by Larry McMurtry was a pretty good prequel to Lonesome dove.  In McCraw and Call deal with Buffalo Hump , blue Duck and  mexican Bandit that captures their captain and toture him.  They are sent on the mission to find him.   Maggie gets pregnant and has Newt but Call won't claim him as his son.  The civil War happens during this time but it doesn't seem to affect Texas to much.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World by David Jeremiah





What do we as Christians do when the world seems to be falling apart?  When the world's economy is in the drink?  David Jeremiah answers these questions and more in this book.  He has come up with about ten things that we should do and address' them in a chapter apiece.  Each chapter is filled with Scripture and examples on how we should approach that chapters topic.
While reading this book I felt both comforted by the promises that David Jeremiah gives us from scripture and challenged to live my life in the way that the scripture says to live.  God and Jesus did not tell us in the Bible that we would have a trouble free life.  This is a fact that is brought up several times in the book but no matter what we are to follow Him. One way to accomplish this is to stay centered in Christ (one of the chapters is dedicated to this concept alone).
This book is a good source guide through the Bible to address any problems that you may find yourself in this troubled time of ours.  For each topic it points your back to the Bible and the answers that the Bible holds for you.
I really felt liked I learned alot from this book and came away with a better knowledge of  how the Bible address everything that we face today. 
I read this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger Program.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Sunset by Karen Kingsbury




     This is the last book in this series about the Baxter Family.  John and Elaine are going to get married but can he get through the feelings of guilt about remarrying?  Kari meets and counsels someone from her past.  Can Luke and Regan put their marriage back together?  What abut Ashley and Landon will they try to have another child?  all these questions are answered in this book. 
This book had me on the verge of tears several times. I have come to love the Baxter Family through these series of books.  I am going to have to go back and read the first series as I have only read the first one.  These are not your generic Christian novels they deal with the very real problems that Christians deal with and they are very human and make human mistakes.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo




This book isn't really about Alex Cross so much as it is about is Great Great uncle.  And it isn't so much about Him Abraham Cross as it is about Ben Corbett.  Ben Corbett is recruited by Teddy Roosevelt to go to  his hometown of Eudora, Mississippi to investigate the rash of lynchings that have been happening.
He will have to see his father who he hasn't seen since his mother died and he will meet up with some of his childhood friends.  He will be betrayed by some and helped by others.
This book is very different from the other Alex Cross Books but it is a story very well told.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Fearless by Max Lucado

"Fearless" tackles the subject of fear in today's world.  Max Lucado discusses with us different fears throughout the book.  One fact he stated was particularly telling to me, "ordinary children today are more fearful than psychiatric patients were in the 1950's" .   With biblical wisdom and witty illustrations Max Lucado explores the fears of today such as not protecting our children, violence, and death to name a few.
I really liked this book although it made me see I was more afraid than I realized. It also comforted me with all the scripture that says don't be afraid but trust in God. 
I read this as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Review blogger program.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

The Turkey Day Murder by Leslie Meier

This was a nice visit to Tinker's Cove.  This time the local Indiana tribe is trying to get recognition from the government so they can build a casino.  Curt Nolan is the local tribe leader and is not interested in the casino as he is in the museum that is suppose to be built along with it.  Lucy is looking forward to Toby coming home from college.  As it is always in this series not everyhting works out.  Toby comes home bringing three friends instead of one and Curt Nolan gets killed during the annual Thanksgiving football game. 

I really didn't have any idea who was the killer this time until it was reveiled.  There were a few curse words that were really not needed.  I thought they took away from the  story because of the shock that they just showed up.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Lonestar Secrets by Colleen Coble

Shannon Astor wants to make a better life for herself and her daughter Kylie.  When her uncle dies and leaves her his ranch this seems like the right move.  Shannon will have to face the members of the small town of Bluebird Crossing where she left five years before as an unwed mother.

Shannon has put herself through vet school and has returned to take over for Grady so he can spend more time in the ministry.  At the Mustang Makeover she meets her high school enemy Jack MacGowen and his daughter Faith who looks exactly like Shannon's daughter Kylie.  But that can't be because Kylie's twin sister died at birth.  Or did she?

This was a roller coaster of ride book.  It seemed like about every couple pages there was a new secret revealed which kept me turning the pages till the very end.  This was a mixture of thriller and romance.  I don't usually like romance books but this one had enough suspence to keep me interested till the very end.  Although God and faith were mentioned throughout the story it was not overbearing or "preachy".
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast paced raomance with alot of thrill packed in.

I read this as a part of the Thomas Nelson's Book Review Blogger program.  You can find info at http:/brb.thomasnelson.com/

Sunday, September 6, 2009

A Quick Word with Beth Moore from Praying God's Word

This is a little devotional book that takes one scripture then Beth has a little thought about it>  It has really encouraged me to pray the scriptures back to God when I am reading them.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Someday by Karen Kingsbury

Someday by Karen Kingsbury is the third book in the third series about the Baxter family.  This time various family members have some decisions to make.  John Baxter has to decide what he wants out of his relationship with Elaine.  Katy and Dayne have to decide what they want out of their careers as actors and Luke has to decide what he wants out of his marriage.  i really like the book by karen Kingsbury and find myself getting sucked into the book right away and enjoying the ride all the way to the end. 

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Sail by James Patterson and Howard Roughman

Sail was a typical James Patterson book with short chapters that pack a big wallop.  this time the Dunne family is going on a sailing trip.  They have their problems and they are hoping to become closer during the trip.  Almost from the beginning they are beset by problems. I really can't tell you much because almost anything I say will be giving away a plot twist.  I would give this book 4/5 stars.  There is some language and some sexual content.