Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The Crossing

I recently read The Crossing by Serita Jakes which tells the story of an unsolved murder which occurred on a school bus after a local football game. The effects of that shooting are felt by many, and the book looks at what has happened to them. This includes a football player who attempted to stop the shooting, a cheerleader who witnessed the murder of her coach, and the husband of the cheerleader who reopens the case since there was never any resolution to who guilty of the murder.

This book was a great mystery, which is not the type of book I normally read, but I really enjoyed it. The mystery was just the right amount, and I liked how the book focused on how the tragic event changed the lives of three different people. These characters were all relatable, and I found myself sympathizing with the problems they were facing due to the tragedy they saw. I would highly recommend this book to my friends and family, but I would probably recommend that it be read by an older audience.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Waterbrook Press 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

There You'll Find Me

I’m going to admit iy…even though I’m a few years out of high school, actually 7, I still enjoy reading the same types of books I enjoyed when I was in school. That’s why, when I saw the book There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones, I couldn’t wait to read about Finley Sinclair. Finley is the daughter of a well-known hotel owner, and she went through a difficult time after the death of her brother. Finley decides to travel to Ireland to travel the steps her brother took as he grew in his relationship with God.

When Finley travels to Ireland she faces many obstacles, including her relationship with Beckett Rush, a famous actor, her school project which pairs her with an elderly woman who has a secret of her own, her issues with food, and her stress over composing an original song to perform at her college audition. I really liked how the book came together and although there were various topics discussed in the book, they all seemed as if they were something any regular teenager could be going through. I also liked that Finley was brave enough to face going to a foreign country in an attempt to find herself and also reconnect with God. Although she didn’t necessarily find everything she was looking for in Ireland, I really liked reading about her bravery and also the struggles she was facing in her relationship with God. I think it’s a good thing for teenage girls to read about and understand that they are not the only ones struggling.

I am definitely going to be loaning this book to my teenage sister and cousin, since from just looking at the cover they already expressed their interest in reading the book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Booksneeze 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Monday, September 19, 2011

A Heart Revealed

A Heart Revealed, from the Winds of Change Series, written by Julie Lessman, looks at the life of Emma Malloy. Emma had to escape her home and travel to Boston after being abused by her husband for 8 long years. As she finds herself working with her lifetime friend, Sean O’Connor, trouble ensues. Sean O’Connor was sure he would spend his life as a bachelor, but he finds himself falling in love with Emma.

While this book is relatively long, I enjoyed every moment of it. I really enjoy the time period the book is based in, as Sean O’Connor is struggling with problems facing his family during the depression. I have read a few other books in this series, and that made it easier for me to keep the numerous characters from causing me to become confused. Also, I liked the faith that the O’Connor family displays and also Emma.

I cannot wait to read more books in this series, and I would recommend this book to people who are interested in romances that have historical situations portrayed in them.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Revell 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Lancaster County Christmas

Suzanne Woods Fisher’s newest book, A Lancaster County Christmas, looks at the intersecting lives of two families. Mattie Riehl, an Amish mother, finds herself unable to have any more children, and she is questioning God’s will for her life. Jaime, an “Englisher” is questioning her career and her relationship with her husband C.J. When Jaime and her husband find themselves trapped at the Riehl farm after a winter blizzard, they being to face their issues as they face difficulty during the blizzard.

I really enjoyed this book, and I was able to finish it in the span of a day. The book looked at issues that all people are able to relate to: children, jobs, parents, and even spouses. I found myself relating to the character of Jaime in that she was questioning the next move in her life. She wasn’t sure what job she was meant to do, and she would not make a place for Jesus in her life. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick, inspirational read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Revell 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Hermie: A Common Caterpillar

Hermie: A Common Caterpillar, written by Max Lucado is a cute book that tells the story to young children that God’s no finished with us yet. The book looked at a caterpillar and a butterfly and their friendship. The drawings were also something that young children will like to look at as they learn to read better through this book.

I’m excited to give this book to my young cousins, and I look forward to purchasing the other books in the series for my cousins also. From other reviewers comments, there is a DVD which also goes along with this book that I think would be a good tie-in for this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Booksneeze 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Monday, September 5, 2011

Cherished

Cherished by Kim Cash Tate tells the story of Kelli London and Heather Anderson and the situations they are currently going through in their lives. Kelli once had dreams of becoming a songwriter, but her life has not turned out how she once imagined and she finds herself moving back home to be near her family. Heather Anderson is looking for love and she has an affair and follows after men she should not have a relationship with. Kelli and Heather form a friendship and are able to work through their issues and search for forgiveness.

I liked this book and the overall concept of forgiveness, as I sometimes find myself struggling to forgive others, and this book showed how God’s forgiveness can be displayed in the characters lives. Although I enjoyed this book, I did feel as if it was a little slow-moving. This can be because of the fact that I typically read historical fiction instead of chick-lit type books. I would read another book by Kim Cash Tate, and, overall, I enjoyed this book.

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 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Wedding

So today's my friends wedding that I'm in...didn't lose the weight I wanted to but it will be fun anyway. It's been a crazy past few months with job interviews and wedding stuff-then lost power for a few days with the hurricane!! Luckily it came back on the other day so we only had to go about 4 Days without power. After everything calms down I am going to completely focus on eating healthy and working out!! By next summer hopefully I'll be down to the smallest size I've ever been :-)