The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief by Charles Day

The Legend of the Pumpkin thief by Charles Day

Recently nominated for a 2012 Bram Stoker Award®

As the townsfolk sleep, something creeps into the neighborhood. Hidden in shadows, its presence is as old as time itself, its intent not born of goodness.

Nick, a teenager who fancies himself a detective, wakes to find his carved masterpiece missing. Now a mystery is afoot, and Nick has his first assignment, to find out who or what is snatching up the town’s pumpkins and why.

Unfortunately, as with all great detectives, obstacles stand in Nick’s way—the neighborhood bully and his cronies, and the strange old lady and her dog who share the run-down house at the end of Nick’s block. As Nick investigates, an urban legend unravels . . . .

The Legend of The Pumpkin Thief.

Nick fears the legend as he embarks on the most dangerous adventure of his young life. Collecting clues, getting ever closer to the true nature of evil, he learns that curiosity comes with a high price. 

My Take:  I don't know if I would label this a YA book maybe more of a middle grade.  I think most YA readers would consider this way beneath them.  I did find that looking at it from a middle grade level it was cute and a bit on the suspense/thriller level but not really scary.  I am a bit jaded though as I compare things to Stephen King to measure scary. But even from a middle grade level this might be a little on the mild side.  I would recommend that parents read it first just so you are sure that this would be ok for your Child. 

I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Dewey's 24 hour readathon

I will be updating this post throughout the day.

Opening questions.

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? I am reading from outtside Lancaster, Pa.
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Gemina
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?Celery and peanut butter
4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I am a recently disabled 56 year old woman.  I homeschooled all three of my children.  I have 3 granddaughters that I adore to pieces.  Books are one of my favorite things.
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? I will try to spend less time on the computer and more time reading. 

Start of hour 3

Pages read 98

have a slight headache because I didn't get alot of sleep last night.  I took advil so hopefully will be feeling better soon.

Hubby got home from work so talked to him for a bit before he laid down to sleep.  So should have uninterrupted reading for at least 3 hours.

Hour 6 update.  I slept from 11-12.  Just couldn't keep my eyes open.  Just ate lunch.
total pages read  187

Slow going.  But I hope to get at least two books read.


hour 9 update
total pages read 236
Finished Gemina
Currently reading A Sister's Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray

Hour 16 update.

I will going to bed in a bit but I will starting An Amish Family Christmas by Shelley Shepard Gray

I finished A Sister's Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray.

So I achieved my goal of finishing two books.

Happy reading for all of you who are continuing through the night.

Union with Christ by Rankin Wilbourne

Union with Christ: The Way to Know and Enjoy God (David C. Cook, July 2016)

Nothing is more basic or central to knowing and enjoying God than Union with Christ.

Have you ever had difficulty connecting what you know to be true about God with how you feel or how you live each day? Have you ever longed to change but just felt stuck?

The Bible makes a stunning claim: God has provided a way for your life to be united to Christ’s. What does that mean? Is it really possible for me, now? What would it look like?

In Union with Christ, Rankin Wilbourne makes union with Christ accessible and beautiful, for you. Union with Christ is not an abstract idea. It is a powerful reality. And recovering a sense of your union with Christ can change everything for you, like finally putting on a pair of desperately-needed glasses.

Discover how coming to see your life through the lens of union with Christ can help bridge that gap between your head and your heart, between your belief and your experience. Union with Christ is what we most need in order to know and enjoy God.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT RANKIN WILBOURNE}

Rankin Wilbourne grew up in Louisiana and was educated at the University of Mississippi and Princeton Theological Seminary. He is now the senior pastor of Pacific Crossroads Church in Los Angeles. As a former commercial banker, Rankin understands the “gap” between the gospel preached on Sunday and the world people face on Monday. Leading a thriving church in a city driven by stories, he’s concerned with drawing connections between what we believe and how we live. Rankin and his wife, Morgen, reside in Los Angeles with their three children.

Find out more about Rankin athttp://www.rankinw.com.

My Take: Union with Christ is a often hard for older Christians to understand let alone new Christians.  When we become a Christian our life becomes united with Christ.  We should then be enjoying all the benefits of being a child of God just like Christ.  Our lives should be showing a clear difference before and after although it is hard at times.  I have been a Christian for almost 46 years and I still feel like I have a hard time growing and learning.  This book brings these things more into focus.  I will be rereading this book in the future to remind myself.  

I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Experiencing God through His names by Sheryl Giesbrecht

Experiencing God Through His Names (Bold Vision Books, June 2016)

What’s in a name?

Names are more than groups of letters that represent a person or identify objects. Names are powerful. A person’s character and destiny can be influenced by his or her name. God’s attributes and personality support His unique and distinct names. If we comprehend the meanings of His titles, we can know God more intimately. InExperiencing God Through His Names, Sheryl Giesbrecht walks with you on an exciting journey to discover and absorb the truth about God’s character. In the next 31 days, God wants you to get to know Him. Are you ready?

Learn more and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT SHERYL GIESBRECHT}

Sheryl Giesbrecht has written three books, hundreds of articles, blogs, and columns. A nationally syndicated radio host, Sheryl is a sought after inspirational speaker who facilitates leadership training for thousands internationally.

Find out more about Sheryl athttp://www.FromAshesToBeauty.com

My Take:  This is a very nice book that has 31 devotions that go along with 31 of God's names.  I enjoyed learning what each of the names meant and how I could rely on God in that area of my life.  I developed a chronic illness a little over two years ago and have being slowing learning how to rely on God for things that I was able to rely on myself for in the past.  I will be using this book in my devotions for the forcible future.  

I received a review copy from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Jesus and the Beanstalk by Lori Stanley Roeleveld

Jesus and the Beanstalk: Overcoming Your Giants and Living a Fruitful Life (Abingdon Press, September 2016)

What if a fairy tale and ten Bible verses could free you to live an effective, fruitful life in Christ?

We live in unsettling, challenging times. Everywhere we look, we see giant problems: giant obstacles to sharing faith, giant barriers to peaceful lives, giant strongholds of fear. But what if you knew eight small secrets to unlocking a strength big enough to overcome whatever obstacle life may bring?

Using allegory and a bit of humor, Jesus and the Beanstalk explores a passage in 2 Peter 1 to uncover eight truths that will help you unleash a larger-than-life faith:

—Faith
—Goodness
—Knowledge
—Self-control
—Perseverance
—Godliness
—Affection for others
—Love

In this creative, refreshing perspective on spiritual growth, you will discover an unyielding strength when you tap the power of a God who is stronger than any beanstalk and bigger than your biggest giants.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT LORI STANLEY ROELEVELD}

Lori Stanley Roeleveld is the author of “Running from a Crazy Man (and other adventures traveling with Jesus)” and “Red Pen Redemption.” Her blog, LoriRoeleveld.com, was voted Top 100 Christian Blogs by RedeemingGod.com and has enjoyed over 1.5 million views. Lori lives in Hope Valley, RI.

Find out more about Lori Stanley athttps://loriroeleveld.com.

My Take:  This book was very good at reminding me that God is in control over all of the problems in our lives whether they are giants or ants.  I liked the way the author used biblical images to remind us of this.  At the end of each chapter the author gave us small steps to take to slay our giants.  She also gave us one stone (a saying to apply) to use against our giants.  This is a book that I will be referring to over and over again.

I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.