The Case for the Real Jesus By Lee Strobel & Jane Vogel Book Review

Review Written by Madilyn

Book Title: The Case for the Real Jesus

Author: Lee Strobel & Jane Vogel

Source/Sponsor: BookLook

Number of Pages: 208

ISBN: 978-0-8007-2043-8

Publisher: Revell

Year of Publication: 2008

 

Book Description

Students today are bombarded with opinions and research about Jesus that goes against everything you've been trying to teach them. They don't know if they can trust what the Bible says about Jesus because they don't know they can trust the Bible. They wonder if he really rose from the dead, or if he was even God. Let Lee Strobel's investigations into the real Jesus help your students see the truth about the Son of God.

 

Book Review

 This. Book. Is. AMAZING. I mean, Lee Strobel is the author, so I knew it was gonna be good, but seriously. It's  REALLY GOOD. I know that whenever I pick up one of Strobel's titles  that I'm in for a good, educational read, and that's why I rave about him all the time. He's consistent. I have yet to read one of his books that I did not absolutely love (and I have read all of them). He has a way of digging to the bottom of a problem to find the best and most accurate answer available. He doesn't cut corners. He doesn't lean toward one side or another when investigating a new subject, so you know that you are getting an unbiased opinion, an opinion that was formed on facts and reason. I think that's another reason why this author is so appealing. In so many ways God requires us to just have faith and know that He is God and trust that he has everything under control and know that He doesn't owe us answers. And I get that. We're only human, after all. We have a limited view of things, but God, HIS perspective is infinite. But He gives us more to go on than you think. If you have any doubts as to the origin of biblical principles, I beg you, read one of Lee Strobel's books. I STRONGLY recommend "The Case for a Creator", which is by far my favorite book of his. I hope that you will pick up something by this author next time you are at the bookstore. You can't go wrong with any of them, and I promise you won't regret it.

 

Blessings,

Madilyn

 

D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts/sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

 

 

 

 

 



The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel & Jane Vogel Book Review

Review Written by Madilyn

Book Title: The Case for Christ

Author(s): Lee Strobel & Jane Vogel

Source/Sponsor: BookLook

Number of Pages: 128

ISBN: 978-0-310-74564-8

Publisher: Zondervan

Year of Publication: 2001

 

 

Book Description

In The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith student editions, Lee Strobel unfolds the compelling evidence that turned him from an atheist to a Christian. This leader s guide gives youth leaders and volunteers everything they need to take their youth group or Sunday school class through both books. Five riveting sessions per book (ten sessions total) will equip teens with persuasive reasons for their faith in Christ.

Here s what groups can expect: Session 1 dramatically illustrates the importance of knowing the facts about Christianity. Sessions 2, 3 and 4 consider the important objections people raise to Christianity, and respond with an in-depth look at the evidence for belief in Jesus and the Christian faith. Session 5 takes groups from learning to application as they draw on what they ve learned in an actual evangelistic scenario. Leaders will also find a skit suitable for publicizing The Case for Christ sessions in church to both teens and parents.

These powerful studies will boost the faith of teens, and their confidence to share it, to a whole new level.

 

Book Review

 I love Lee Strobel. I have now read all of his books, and I recommend them all. His books are always very educational and quite convincing. He leaves no stone unturned on the subject at hand and leaves you with no questions unanswered. My favorite thing about "The Case for Christ" was how inquisitive the author was during his studies. Let me tell you something, this guy doesn't come to a  conclusion just to satisfy what he thought he already knew. He asks the HARD questions, and sometimes gets answers that he doesn't like. He comes at this "Case for Christ" with an open mind and an unhindered perspective. He pushes for both sides to show all their facts and he double checks the accuracy of said facts before accepting them. This guy is crazy smart and I'm pretty sure that he could do anything he set his mind to. This book is a must have for Christians looking to deepen their faith AND for those who aren't so sure about this whole Jesus thing and want some answers connected to solid facts and reason. I really enjoyed reading yet another amazing book by Lee Strobel, and I hope to read more from him in the future.

 

Blessings,

Madilyn

 

 

D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a free copy of this book by BookLook in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts/sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.



Prelude for a Lord by Camille Elliot Book Review

// Prelude for a Lord //

By Camille Elliot

{Book Review by Bethany}

Publisher: Zondervan
Source: Book Look Bloggers
Publication Date: August 5th, 2014
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 0310320356
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

// Book Synopsis //

Taken from GoodReads

"An awkward young woman. A haunted young man. A forbidden instrument. Can the love of music bring them together . . . or will it tear them apart?

Bath, England—1810

At twenty-eight, Alethea Sutherton is past her prime for courtship; but social mores have never been her forté. She might be a lady, but she is first and foremost a musician.

In Regency England, however, the violin is considered an inappropriate instrument for a lady. Ostracized by society for her passion, Alethea practices in secret and waits for her chance to flee to the Continent, where she can play without scandal.

But when a thief’s interest in her violin endangers her and her family, Alethea is determined to discover the enigmatic origins of her instrument . . . with the help of the dark, brooding Lord Dommick.

Scarred by war, Dommick finds solace only in playing his violin. He is persuaded to help Alethea, and discovers an entirely new yearning in his soul.

Alethea finds her reluctant heart drawn to Dommick in the sweetest of duets . . . just as the thief’s desperation builds to a tragic crescendo . . ."

// Bethany's Book Review //

Camille Elliot's debut is a lovely regency novel with a nice sprinkle of mystery. Full of meaningful characters and lessons learned, it is a wonderful choice for all regency suspense fans!

I am quite a fan of regency fiction, and I also enjoy stories that have an aspect of mystery to keep things jumping. Prelude for a Lord involves both of these aspects, making for a delightful read with a very classical feel!

Even thought this is Camille Elliot's first novel, you really wouldn't think so from her elegant writing style, which impressed me right from the beginning. This author has such a lovely way with words, and her writing style really did fit perfectly with the regency genre. The story was very well thought out, but the way it was told added so much to the story!

This novel had a lot of characters, and I think that the author did an excellent job intertwining their lives, making for a well-thought out story line. I loved how certain aspects of one character's life provided insight into another characters personality. For example, the gentleman in the story had a sister who's protection he greatly valued. Since the author went into detail with his sister's character, you really got to know her and her fear of not being protected. Since we really get to know the sister well, we see how great her brother's integrity is when we see him go to certain lengths for his sister, and how that is his way of loving her. There were many other instances like this, that I just loved. It added another dimension to the novel!

Despite the fact that this is a regency fiction, this story surprisingly wasn't heavy on the romance, and rather focused on the main character and the mystery surrounding her. While there was romance at the end, I felt like the relationship status stayed at the "friendship" or "co-worker" level for a great portion of the story, cutting out a lot of mushy feelings and scenes. Personally, I like to have a controlled level of romance in the novels I read, so I loved how that worked in my favor with Prelude for a Lord.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, and would definitely recommend it! Fans of regency suspense will not want to miss out on this gem of a novel!

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a complementary copy of Prelude for a Lord from the publisher, for the purpose of this review. I was not paid to promote this novel, and all thoughts expressed are completely my own, honest and unbiased opinions.

The Case for Faith By Lee Strobel Book Review

The Case for Faith (Student Edition)

A Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity

 

Review Written By Madi

Book Title: The Case for Faith

Author: Lee Strobel

Source/ Sponsor: BookLook

Genre: Christian

Number Of Pages: 95

ISBN: 978-0-310-74542-6

Publisher: Zondervan

Year Of Publication: 2001

My Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars

 

 

Book Description

Is Faith Possible in Today's World? It's not easy to believe in Christianity when there is pain all around you and issues that defy easy explanation. Unless there are answers to the questions you face. Lee Strobel knows how important it is to find answers that ring true. With his background as an award-winning journalist, asking tough questions has been his business. And while his search for the truth convinced Lee that Jesus is real, it also confronted him with some particularly knotty, gut-level questions about Christianity you've likely asked as well: Why is there suffering? Doesn't science disprove miracles? What about hell---and the millions who've never heard of Jesus? Is God unjust? They're the kinds of conundrums that can block---and have blocked---people's faith. But those questions don't have to block yours. Join Lee in a fascinating journey of discovery. You'll gain powerful insights that will reshape your understanding of the Bible. And you'll read true stories about people whose experiences demonstrate that faith in Jesus not only makes excellent sense, it makes a life-changing difference as well.

 

Book Review

 A few months ago, my dad handed me a copy of The Case for a Creator By Lee Strobel and insisted that I read it. Well, I did, and let me tell you, it completely changed my perspective. All the answers to how religion and science can mix in one book. So when the opportunity to review The Case for Faith presented itself, I jumped on it. This author isn't afraid to ask the hard questions, and he certainly isn't afraid to travel the country in search of answers to those questions. He is constantly questioning what other people tell him. He refuses to accept someone else's ideology, and instead goes to great pains to form his own opinions based on proven facts. The thing that I liked about getting the student edition of The Case for Faith was that it just got to the point. It's short, but contains enough information for a young person to easily process. The last book of Lee's that I read took me a while to read. Not because it wasn't fantastic (because it was), but because it was so detailed and intricate. Which is good, but I would have to take breaks to process everything. If you have any huge doubts about the topic of one of his books, then I encourage you to read the original version. If you are looking for something that won't take as long to read, but is still jam-packed  with encouragement and God based facts, then the student edition is for you. I personally liked them both and would love to start collecting all of his books for my private collection. The way he starts at the base of a problem/question and works his way up, without skipping over anything, leaves me surer than ever that my God is real, present, and the Creator of everything. If you are a very analytical person, than I think you especially would enjoy Lee Strobel's work.

 

~Madi For The Literary Maidens

 

D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

 

 



The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron Book Review

// The Butterfly and the Violin //
 

A Hidden Masterpiece Novel

                            By Kristy Cambron

                      {Review Written by Bethany}

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Source: Review book from the publisher through BookLookBloggers

Number of Pages: 336

Publication Date: July 8th, 2014

My Rating: Five out of five stars

// Book Synopsis //

{Taken from GoodReads} 

 
"And then came war . . .

"Today." Sera James spends most of her time arranging auctions for the art world's elite clientele. When her search to uncover an original portrait of an unknown Holocaust victim leads her to William Hanover III, they learn that this painting is much more than it seems.

"Vienna, 1942." Adele Von Bron has always known what was expected of her. As a prodigy of Vienna's vast musical heritage, this concert violinist intends to carry on her family's tradition and play with the Vienna Philharmonic. But when the Nazis learn that she helped smuggle Jews out of the city, Adele is taken from her promising future and thrust into the horrifying world of Auschwitz.

The veil of innocence is lifted to expose a shuddering presence of evil, and Adele realizes that her God-given gift is her only advantage; she must play. Becoming a member of the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz, she fights for survival. Adele's barbed-wire walls begin to kill her hope as the months drag into nearly two years in the camp. With surprising courage against the backdrop of murder and despair, Adele finally confronts a question that has been tugging at her heart: Even in the midst of evil, can she find hope in worshiping God with her gift?

As Sera and William learn more about the subject of the mysterious portrait--Adele--they are reminded that whatever horrors one might face, God's faithfulness never falters."

// Bethany's Book Review //

A picture is worth a thousand words, and a painting brought forth in trial is worth even more. Fans of heartwarming historical fiction will love this new breathtaking novel from debut author Kristy Cambron. Switching between two different time periods and point of views, this story takes you an unforgettable journey of two women-one during WWII inside a concentration camp, and the other in the present day tracking down art from the concentration camps. 

As a devoted fan of WWII historical fiction, I was very excited to learn of this new book which is set in my favorite time period setting for historical fiction. My very first impression of this book was how breathtaking the cover is. While I knew it held so much beauty even before reading the novel, after reading the poignant story within its pages, I have an even greater love for the cover, and all it represents in the story with the painting that Sera is tracking of Adele. 

This novel completely blew me out of the water. I had a feeling it would be good, but I didn't expect that it would end up on my favorite books read in 2014 list! For a debut novel, I'd have thought that this was not the first book by this author, as the writing style shows experience and a seasoned writing style, making it hard for me to believe it was only this author's first novel! Kristy has been gifted with the ability to take words on a page of paper and turn them into a story, breathing life into the characters and weaving a true masterpiece that moves you just as much as the painting of Adele did for those in the story. This novel has such heart and emotion, and was written in such a way that you can't help but be touched in a positive way. 

Kristy wrote about the horrendously unjust time in history where innocent Jews were killed all for the sake of power. She wrote it in such a poignant way that I just couldn't help but feel as if I were in the concentration camps alongside Adele and the others who were there with her. While lots of Holocaust historical fiction is usually known for producing this emotion, I felt like this experience was different than others I've had with other fiction set during this time. The author just has such a wonderful way with words, and this novel was truly one of the most unique novels I've ever had the pleasure of reading. The way that the power of music and art were woven into the storyline made for such a touching addition to the novel. I loved how the author wove the beauty of life into the story by emphasizing how music can be a form of worship to the Lord, as we saw ultimately displayed in Adele's life. 

Aside from the sheer beauty and radiance of this novel, and the story it tenderly tells, the characters were another part of this story that I loved. This novel was extremely unique, since it switches between two different time periods and point of views, making for an interesting reading experience. In the story we get to know Adele who lived during WWII, and we also meet Sera who is living in the present day, tracking down a portrait of Adele painted long ago. Both women have a touching story in this novel, and the development of both of their characters is such a beautiful thing to see take place on the page, and was done so well. I'd only read one other novel sharing two point of views/time periods before, and really liked how this part of the story added to the storyline and overall theme, adding advantages to the reading experience that I enjoyed greatly. 

Overall, this novel was such a touching one. I got so swept away in the story, and truly felt the characters emotions, and will forever remember Adele's legacy - even more so the because of the real people who's stories of concentration camp life were similar to Adele's fictional one. Even though Adele's story is a work of fiction, I love how it reflects upon to true stories of those who did suffer in the concentration camps. That fact that what Adele went through was based on real events added another dimension to the story, making it a truly beautiful masterpiece. I loved the way music was incorporated into the story as a form of worship to the Lord, and loved how Kristy really drove home the fact that music has the power to move people, and is a wonderful thing when used for the Lord's glory. I feel so blessed to have been able to read this book, and treasure it as a favorite! I would highly recommend this novel to any historical fiction fans, and eagerly await future novels by this author! 

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a complementary copy of The Butterfly and the Violin from the publisher for the sole purpose of this review. I was not paid to promote this book, and all thoughts expressed in the review are my own, completely honest and unbiased.

Body & Soul By Bethany Hamilton and Dustin Dillberg Book Review

Body & Soul

Review Written By Madi

Book Title: Body & Soul

Author(s): Bethany Hamilton and Dustin Dillberg

Source/Sponsor: BookLook

Genre: Fitness

Number Of Pages: 160

ISBN: 978-0-310-73105-4

Publisher: Zondervan

Year Of Publication: 2014

Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars

 

Book Description

Bethany Hamilton has become a fitness expert by virtue of being a professional athlete who has excelled. And she's done it while overcoming incredible challenges. Whether you know Bethany or not, whether you surf or not, everyone has challenges, and in Fitness, Faith, and Fun (working), Bethany shares some of her core experiences with body, mind and spirit. Bethany shares her expertise as an athlete and a Christian, showing how your spiritual health is just as important as your physical health. This isn't a book about Bethany, this is a book about wellness, becoming your best 'You,' through fitness--physical and spiritual.

 

 

 Book Review

When I ordered this book, I didn't even take the time to read the description. I figured it would be about the story about Bethany Hamilton and her faith, but I was actually pleasantly surprised to find out otherwise. When I realized that this was a fitness book, I'm not gonna lie, I was not thrilled. I'm not exactly the healthy eating, active every day type of person. I have tried a few work outs, but I've had a hard time sticking with them. This book helped me with that. It includes some workouts that you can do in the comfort of your home, and yet still change up your usual schedule and get  motivated. Another thing that I have always had a hard time with is understanding why certain things are bad for me and why I should avoid them. Bethany went into detail in this book why you should be one of those "Label Readers". She explained what each thing was, how it affected your body, and how you should/should not incorporate it into your daily diet. Some of it really surprised me. Like, how can certain juices be bad for you? IT'S FRUIT. Well if it's made at home that's all fine and dandy, but in a lot of store bought juices they use added preservatives and sugar substitutes that are really bad for the human body. I loved learning about what my body needs to function properly and reap the benefits of every day life. Another thing that I loved about this book was how Bible based it was. There were a lot of scriptures scattered throughout the text that applied to the human body and how we should honor it as God's Temple. Now I'm not saying that I'm gonna all of a sudden be a health gooroo (or however you spell it), but I do think that with this book as a reference that I will be able to make a few small changes at a time that will eventually lead to a healthier, happier lifestyle.

 

Madi For The Literary Maidens

 

D I S C L A I M E R: I was provided with a free copy of this book by BookLook (formerly known as BookSneeze) in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not further compensated to review this product, and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once A Day Country Faith Book Review

/ / Once A Day Country Faith / /

/ / 56 Reflections From Today's Leading Country Music Stars / /

 

{Review Written By Madi}

Book Title: Once A Day Country Faith

Author(s): 56 Country Music Stars

Source: Booksneeze

Book Genre: Devotional

Number Of Pages: 128

ISBN: 978-0-310-42293-8

Publisher: Zondervan

Year Of Publication: 2013

Rating: Four Out Of Five Stars

 

/ / Book Description / /

Pour yourself a fresh, cold glass of sweet tea and ease into your favorite chair with a copy of the Once-A-Day Country Faith. You'll enjoy a front row seat to an intimate look at your favorite country stars as they discuss the personal significance of their favorite Bible passage. With contributions from 56 of today's top country artists, the Once-A-Day Country Faith includes the Bible passage that tops each of their charts as well as the reasons why this part of scripture is so valuable to them. After reading Country Faith, you'll be inspired to identify the Bible passage that's most meaningful to you. You'll also listen to your favorite country artists in a whole new way.

 

/ / Book Review / /

With people like Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Scotty McCreery, The Band Perry, Josh Turner, Lauren Alaina, Wynonna Judd, Miranda Lambert, Alan Jackson, Hunter Hayes, Charley Daniels and Sara Evans (to name a few) writing this book, country music fans every where are bound to be jumping with joy. I personally have a special fondness for country music. I love the way that it tells a story. Reading this book is like getting a little glimpse into the hearts of some of the singers whose songs have touched mine. Each artist that contributed wrote a little about a verse that is dear to their hearts. I love the insight that some of the people provided. Some people don't go into to depth as much as others, which is a bit of a bummer, but I still enjoyed it very much! My mom has already asked to borrow it as soon as I'm finished writing this review. I live in Texas, and my family has a love for all things Southern, so this is a real treat. Now if only I could get this book signed by it's authors ;) . I would greatly encourage you to read this devotional. It definitely puts you in a good mood, and reading a page each day helped put a pep in my step. I think it's really cool that these people that are shoved into a materialistic society in whole new way still manage to hold onto their faith. Fame tends to get the better of a lot of people, and it's nice to see some people standing firm amongst all the tabloids and headliners.

 

~The Literary Maidens

 

Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion by Booksneeze. I was not further compensated to review this product, and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Butterfly Palace by Colleen Coble Book Review

// Butterfly Palace //

 

By Colleen Coble

 

{Review By Bethany}

Number of Pages: 336
ISBN: 1595547835
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: January 21st, 2014

Source: Litfuse Publicity Group
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

 

Taken from Good Reads

 

"Lilly secures a job as lady's maid in a grand manor in Austin, Texas. But even far from home, her past lurks around every corner.

When Lilly Donnelly arrives at the Cutlers' famed Butterfly Mansion in 1899, the massive house and unfamiliar duties threaten to overwhelm her. Victorian Austin is lavish, highly political, and intimidating, but with the help of the other servants, Lilly resolves to prove herself to her new employers.

Then, while serving at an elegant dinner party, Lilly recognizes one distinguished guest as Andrew, the love of her life, who abandoned her without a word back home. He seems to have assumed a new identity and refuses to acknowledge her, leaving her confused and reeling.

Before Lilly can absorb this unwelcome news, she's attacked. Could it be the sinister Servant Girl Killer who has been terrorizing Austin? Or is it someone after something more personal--someone from her past?

Does she dare trust Andrew to help or is he part of the danger threatening to draw Lilly into its vortex?"

 

// Bethany's Book Review //

 

Romantic suspense author Colleen Coble has done it again! Filled with lots of mystery and suspense along with a light dose of romance, this Downton Abbey-like novel is sure to delight and impress, keeping you up late into the night!

 

This is the third novel I've read by Colleen Coble, and for sure my favorite of the three. (The first two were Tidewater Inn and Rosemary Cottage). I was completely blown away with this novel, since the other books I'd read by her weren't as good as this novel, in my opinion, and I absolutely loved every singe page of this novel! I remember just finishing the first chapter and thinking to myself that I already knew that without a doubt I'd have this book on my favorites list. In fact, I loved it so much, I'm putting it on my top three favorite reads of 2014!

 

If you enjoy historical fiction set in the 1900's, placed in an elaborate Texas mansion, complete with the inside look at the everyday life of the servants who keep the house functioning (this book reminded me a lot of the beloved T.V. series Downton Abbey); mixed with a health dose of mystery and edge-of-your-seat suspense, then you absolutely must read this novel!

 

I just loved this setting! I mean being a proud Texan, I was already excited how the book is set in Austin Texas, and to find that it was set in a huge mansion that reminded me a lot of Downton Abbey, then I knew I'd enjoy it. This novel was everything I was hoping for based on reading the synopsis, and then some! The suspense in this novel really surprised me. I knew Colleen mainly wrote suspense novels, but this one was a masterpiece! I loved how she combined the time period and setting with the mystery, and found it to be a very interesting suspense, filled with lots of historical details. Another thing I noticed was how well thought out the plot was. There were constant twists and turns in the story that left me on the edge of my seat and re-evaluation who I assumed was behind the dangerous undercover work. It was obvious with how smoothly the story flowed that the author thought out the plot very well, and it definitely showed! 

 

While I do highly recommend this book to historical suspense fans, I will say that due to some mature content, I would only recommend this book to mature readers. Mature content included a scene where a couples' kissing lead went too far and resulted in an alluded love scene whilst in a barn alone. While not many details were given of the event, the idea that they were involved in an inappropriate love scene was obviously alluded to, though not obviously stated. I felt like the romance scenes were a little overly mushy, and ended up skipping most of the kissing scenes as there was a bit more passion than I cared to read. There were also several scenes involving a murderer, and while again not many details were given, there were a few details on how the victim's necks were slit, as well as a scene were a body was found. While the author did handle these scenes without giving overly gory details, younger readers will still want to take caution when reading.

 

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a free copy of Butterfly Palace from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not paid to write this review, and all thoughts expressed in my review are completely unbiased and honest.

Luminary by Krista McGee Book Review

// L u m i n a r y //

The Anomaly Trilogy // Book # 2

By Krista McGee

{Review By Bethany}

Title: Luminary
Series: Anomaly // Book #2

Author: Krista McGee

Source: BookSneeze

Number of Pages: 320

ISBN: 1401688748

Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers

Publication Date: January 7th, 2014

Bethany's Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

 

Taken from GoodReads.com

 

"She was an anomaly with a death sentence. Now she's free.

Thalli was scheduled for annihilation. She was considered an anomaly--able to experience emotions that should have been eradicated by genetic modification. The Scientists running the State couldn't allow her to bring undue chaos to their peaceful, ordered world. But seconds before her death, she is rescued.

Now Thalli is above ground in a world she thought was destroyed. A world where not even the air is safe to breathe. She and her three friends must journey across this unknown land, their destination a hidden civilization. It's their only chance of survival.

Broken and exhausted after an arduous journey, they arrive in New Hope, a town that survived the nuclear holocaust. When Thalli meets the people there--people actually "born" to "families"--her small world is blown wide open.

Soon after their arrival to New Hope, the town comes under attack. She has escaped imminent death, but now Thalli is thrust into a new fight--a fight to save her new home. Does she know enough about this world of emotions, this world of chaos, to save not only herself, but the people she has come to love?"

 

// Bethany's Book Review //

 

What an exciting continuation of the Anomaly trilogy! After reading Anomaly, book one, and being beyond overly impressed with it (you can read my full review of Anomaly here) I was very eager to continue the story in book two, Luminary; and was not disappointed with this second installment that excited and left me eager for the final book, Revolutionary.

 

This book starts off right where we left Thalli, Burk, Rhen and John behind in Anomaly, and begins to embark on a very interestingly dangerous journey with them, to go to what's left of the States after the war when the Scientists took over some forty years ago. One of the things I liked about this book was how they travel to Texas as it's my home state and very close to my heart. I really liked seeing the comparison to the futuristic, science fiction aspect of this series with how they go to the States, at a time that would to us be in the future, where they look for life that survived the war. It was an interesting comparison for them to view this village that they find  that is uncontrolled by the Scientists, compared to the world Thalli grew up in as a mere machine created by the Scientist to satisfy their purpose for her, and leave her with a life barren of emotions and joy. It was interesting seeing Thalli experience the many differences of the Texans through the way they speak, act and live, as it's so completely opposite to all that Thalli had ever known.

 

Anyone who has read the first book in this trilogy, Anomaly, will know that this trilogy is nothing but non stop action and adventure - and this second book is no exception as it is an exciting adventure that kept me up until 2 a.m. on new years day. It's just one of those books that you read in one or two sittings since you just can't put it down. Another thing I loved about this book was the continuation of Thalli's spiritual life, and her growing closer to the Lord. Where we left in Anomaly, Thalli had just given her life to the Lord and in this book she is still a new Christian, and I loved being able to see her apply her faith to her circumstances.

 

Overall I was very pleased with Luminary, and it definitely ended leaving me dying to know what happens next, as this trilogy is so well known for. I loved the balance of science fiction and reality, as well as the adventure Thalli takes in this book visiting Athens and being a part of a very dangerous mission to save her friends. It was a very thrilling book and I can't wait to get my hands on the final book, Revolutionary in the summer of 2014! I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who has read the first book and loved it, as Luminary is just as good, if not better than Anomaly, and a real treat for lovers of inspirational science fiction.

 

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a free copy of Luminary from Thomas Nelson Publishers for the sole purpose of this review. I was not paid to write this review, nor was my review biased in any way because of the free book. All thoughts expressed in my review are completely my own, honest and unbiased.

The Reason For My Hope By Billy Graham Book Review

/ / The Reason For My Hope / /

{Review By Madi}

Book Title: The Reason For My Hope

Author: Billy Graham

Source: Booksneeze

Number Of Pages: 207

ISBN: 978-0-8499-4761-2

Publisher: W Publishing

Year Of Publication: 2013

Madi's Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars

 

/ / Book Description / /

From America's evangelistic elder statesman

Salvation is what we all long for, when we are lost or in danger or have made a mess of our lives. And salvation belongs to us, when we reach out for the only One who can rescue us--Jesus.

The saving message of the Gospel is the heartbeat of this preacher and evangelist. Millions around the world have heard Billy Graham proclaim this unchanging truth. He has never forgotten the transformation of his own life, when he first said yes to God's gift of salvation, and he has witnessed multitudes turn their hearts to the God of Hope.

"The Reason for My Hope: Salvation "presents the essence of that transformative message. It is biblical and timeless, and though simple and direct, it is far from easy. There are hard words, prophetic words, directed toward a culture that denies the reality of sin and distracts us from the veracity of Hell. But through its ominous warnings shines a light that cannot be extinguished--a beacon of hope that Jesus came "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).

 

 

/ / Madi's Book Review / /

 Billy Graham has had a huge part in my upbringing, so I'm always excited to read a book that he has written. I have read more books by this wonderful man than I can count (I even did a report on him in middle school), and I grew up listening to his sermons on television. He is such a wise person, and it has always been a dream of mine to meet him. My whole family gets excited when I get one of his books, because they know that they will all get the chance to read it as well. I always learn a lot about how to treat others and how to act in a way that best represents Christ best when I finish one of Graham's books, and this one was no different. This one, though, more than anything, was an explanatory book about the gift of salvation instead of a book demonstrating how to accomplish something. I mean, after all, there is nothing that we as people can do to accomplish salvation, we can only get that through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. This book is a great book to read as you wind down for the night or if you are stressed out and need something to occupy your mind while you calm down, because though it may not be fast paced, it gives a person a lot to consider. Another cool thing about this book is that I haven't seen it in paperback, so if you purchase it you are guaranteed to get a good quality binding that will last through a lot of page turning (if you ever decide to reread it or lend it out). I love my paperbacks, don't get me wrong, but it's super easy to bend the cover if you aren't careful or to wear out the spine after continued use. That's a perk of hardcopies, they are sturdy and durable. Of course, if you are into all that newfangled e-book reading (blegh!) than this is completely irrelevant to you. No matter what form you buy this book in, I encourage you to read it. I promise that you won't look at things the same in the aftermath.

 

~Madi For The Literary Maidens

 

 Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers by the Booksneeze blogger program, but I was not paid to write this review and all thoughts expressed in this post are completely my own and unbiased. 

Stones for Bread By Christa Parrish Book Review

 // Stones for Bread //

By Christa Parrish

{Review By Bethany}

Title: Stones for Bread

Author: Christa Parrish

Source: BookSneeze.com

Number of Pages: 326

ISBN: 1401689019

Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers

Publication Date: November 5th, 2013

Bethany's Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

 "What do you do when the gift you thought was bread turns out to be stones?

Liesl McNamara’s Wild Rise is not only a popular bake house and café in Vermont, it’s an extension of herself. Liesl is an artisan bread maker, like her mother and grandmother before her. Even though she lost her mother to suicide when she was eleven, she keeps this maternal bond alive as she bakes.

Liesl prides herself on living an uncomplicated, unattached life. But that changes when Seamus walks through the door of Wild Rise, lugging the large bags of whole wheat flour from the local food co-op. He and his daughter Cecelia have recently moved to the country seeking simplicity. Despite her best effort, Liesl becomes attracted to this teddy bear of a man who laughs easily and eats strange sandwich concoctions—on her bread, much to her dismay.

Her simple life is further complicated when a popular cooking show features her bakery. The publicity increases her business and brings several offers from larger businesses, all of which she turns down. But it also brings a completely unexpected phone call, one from a woman claiming to be her half-sister.

Liesl’s sense of identity dissolves as everything about her relationship with her mother—and the bread that held them together—comes into question. Has she been given stones rather than bread? And how can she ever take these crumbs and make them whole again?"

 

// Bethany's Book Review //

Stones for Bread was the first book by Christa Parrish that I've read, so going into it, I wasn't sure what the writing style would be like, or if I'd like it. However  being that it was about a baker, I thought I'd enjoy reading it as I love to bake, though I must confess I bake much simpler recipes than main character, Liesl does in the book. But it did remind me that baking really is an art, which I'd never really actually thought about before, and it can be such a calming activity, as we see in the story.

 

Though Stone for Bread wasn't a favorite, I certainly did enjoy reading it and found it to be a very unique book, and unlike any other I've read - both in writing style and story line. Christa Parrish certainly has her own unique writing style, and it was the first time to read a book with such a emotional writing style and story line. It added a nice touch to the story and was very unique and interesting to be able to read-one I won't forget soon as the characters stay with me even after reading the last word of the story.

 

One thing I loved about this book was all the various artisan bread recipes that were included in the story, when Liesl would bake them. I thought that was really cool and that it would be so fun to bake the breads that Liesl did in the book.

 

While I did enjoy this book, there were a few tiny details that I found to be a bit of a downer for me. One is that in the story, two or three times a character would be about to say a "word" and the author would cut them off a couple letters before the word was completely spelled,  and while the words weren't completed, you have enough to get the idea of the word, and it was just something I'd have preferred to be left out. While the words weren't inappropriate by any means, and definitely moderate, I just prefer not to have them pop up in a story. Like I said, they weren't terribly bad words, just ones I don't want cluttering my mind with, however it was by no means a reason to put the book down.

 

Another downer for me was how the whole story is spent with the main character not knowing Christ or having a personal relationship with Christ. Sadly, while this book is considered a Christian novel, there wasn't much Christian influence, since the character doesn't become a Christian until the very end of the book. One way this was obvious to me was how big bread was to Liesl. When I started this book I had the idea that this book would involve a lot of bread, but I didn't expect it to be literally about bread the whole time. Bread is so big to Liesl and a foundation for the story, it's her heritage, family and life since she owns a bakery that fills her days. When she is upset or troubled she makes bread as a way of releasing stress, and I found it often would take the place that Christ should have filled, since she took bread to that level of importance in her life. I felt like often times she would release her stress or find comfort in making bread instead of in Christ, and it was an opportunity for her to strengthen her faith in Christ (as it was growing throughout the story bit by bit) that was missed since she went to bread instead.

 

Despite these two downers, I did enjoy this book and found it to be a great story on redemption as the main character goes through a lot of different things in the story that make her a stronger person in the end. The writing style was so personal and emotional that you get attached to the characters, and I loved being able to connect with the characters and share their pain. While this book wasn't a favorite, I did enjoy it and would recommend it to anyone who loves to bake!

 

NOTE :: I received a free copy of this book for the purposes of reading it and writing a review on my blog. I was not paid in any way to write this review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are honest and unbiased.

Gunpowder Tea By Margaret Brownley Book Review

/ / Gunpowder Tea / /

/ / The Brides Of Last Chance Ranch / /

 

{Review By Madi}

 

Title: Gunpowder Tea

Author: Margaret Brownley

Source: Booksneeze

Number Of Pages: 327

ISBN: 978-1-59554-972-3

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Year Of Publication: 2013

Madi's Rating: 5 Out Of 5 Stars

 

 

/ / Book Description / /

In a case that could change her career, Miranda uncovers a love that will change her life.

When Miranda Hunt sees the classified ad for an heiress to the legendary Last Chance Ranch, she knows assuming the identity of Annie Beckman is the perfect cover. As one of the finest agents for the Pinkerton Detective Agency, Miranda has been tasked with apprehending the Phantom – an elusive and notorious train robber thought to be hiding on the sprawling ranch.

But she isn’t the only one there with something to hide. Wells Fargo detective Jeremy Taggert is working the scene undercover as well. And although their true identities are a secret, it is impossible for Jeremy and Miranda to hide the spark that flares between them.

But neither is about to let romance interfere with such a huge case. Besides, Miranda hasn’t removed Jeremy from her list of suspects yet. The closer they come to uncovering the identity of the Phantom, the more dangerous he gets – and no one on the ranch is safe.

But neither are their hearts – the longer Miranda and Jeremy spends working together, the harder it becomes to keep their feelings in check. Their careers – and their lives – depend on solving this case. Love will have to wait.

 

 

/ / Madi's Book Review / /

Miranda Hunt is a Pinkerton Detective in the year 1897, and she is proud to be walking in her father's footsteps. She has always been Pinkerton's (Pink for short) last resort. She always got the missions that no one else wanted. Until now. Since she is one of two women in the detective business, so she is the only one who can accomplish the job of catching the "Phantom". The Phantom is a professional robber and thief, and he somehow always seems to escape the authorities. Miranda answers and ad in the paper advertising for an heiress to Last Chance Ranch. She goes undercover as Annie Beckham, and begins her investigation as soon as she arrives at the ranch. There is only one problem. Her train headed to Last Chance is robbed during her journey, and after she becomes a fixed part of the ranch, she realizes that the new hand that Mrs. Walker brought on is really one of the thieves from the train robbery. But something just doesn't fit. Branch doesn't seem like the thieving type, but she knows by experience that he is, in fact, a thief. A very handsome thief.

 

*WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD*

 

Jeremy Taggart (A.K.A Branch), is also a detective, but not from Pink. He's a Wells Fargo agent. Wells Fargo and Pinkerton are arch rivals, and having an agent from each company makes for some interesting scenes. He was hired on as a ranch hand to blend into the ordinary lives of the people around these parts, but he is no rancher, and he's tired of being considered a thief by the pretty Annie Beckham. He just wants to finish this case and move on, or he's liable to get off of his horse and walk like a penguin for the rest of his life. 

 

When the two good guys suspect each other of being the Phantom, things get heated. When they discover each other's true identities, they start to doubt their abilities (sort of). How can they catch the bad guy if they can't even read the good ones?

 

~

 

I REALLY enjoyed this book. The first thing that grabbed my attention about this novel is its title. "Gunpowder Tea" just sounds like such a Southern, relatable book. Being a Texan myself, I was especially drawn to it. Another thing that I liked about this book was its characters. Annie is such a spitfire, and she refuses to be outdone or beat. Considering Annie and I have similar personalities, it was pretty easy for me to imagine myself in her situation, and soon I was so engrossed in my book that I paid no notice to what was going on around me. And Branch! Oh my gosh! For a fictional character, he sure knows how to make a girl swoon. In my humble opinion there is nothing finer than a man that acts like a gentleman. I would recommend this book to just about any female that loves the South, tea, and guns.

 

/ / Favorite Quotes From Gunpowder Tea / /

 

"A gullible fool can locate a swindler faster than the smartest private eye in the world."

 

"A private eye's best friend is a woman with a secret too good to keep."

 

"In God we trust; all others will be treated as suspects."

 

"He also lectured on ways to turn away wrath with a gentle answer. Ha! Some people didn't know a gentle answer from a turnip."

 

"Politeness and inflection were all well and good but some callers need to be put in their places."

 

"A woman without a secret is like a rose without fragrance."

 

"Making accusations without proof is like throwing a rope without a loop."

 

"Suspicion ain't proof unless you're married."

 

"Politeness is more effective when combined with a gun."

 

"An honest thief is about as rare as clean socks in a bunkhouse."

 

"Confession might be good for the soul but it doesn't do much for one's reputation."

 

"That's the problem with suspicion. Once it takes root there ain't no stoppin' it. Colors everythin'. Suspicion makes every rock look like a monster."

 

"If God was small enough to understand, I reckon He wouldn't be big enough to worship."

 

~Madi For The Literary Maidens

 

Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not paid to write this review, and all thoughts and sentiments expressed in this post are completely my own and totally unbiased.

City on Fire: A Novel of Pompeii By Tracy L. Higley Book Review

// City on Fire //

 

A Novel of Pompeii

 

By Tracy L. Higley

 

{Review By Bethany}

 

Title: City on Fire: A Novel of Pompeii
Author: Tracy L. Higley

Source: BookSneeze Blogger Review Program
Number of Pages: 400
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers
Publication Date: September 17th, 2013
Age Recommendation: 16+ years old
Bethany's Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
 

// Book Synopsis //

 

"A Jewish slave girl fights for her life in first-century Pompeii on the eve of the city’s destruction.

Wealthy Roman patrician Cato came to the seaside town of Pompeii to build a new business, but hostility and outright corruption threaten his carefully laid plans and ignite his desire for social justice. Meanwhile, Ariella, an escaped Jewish slave girl, comes to town with a gladiator troupe. Disguised as a young boy, Ariella’s only ambition is survival.

Ariella and Cato face political intrigue, religious persecution, and family peril even as the ominous mountain in the distance begins to spew its fire. They must bridge their differences to save the lives of those they love before fiery ash buries Pompeii, turning the city into a lost world."

// Bethany's Book Review //

 So, let's be honestly realistic here. It's no secret that the long forgotten city of Pompeii wasn't, well, the most moral of cities (!) In fact, usually whenever the topic is brought up concerning this city, horribly immoral stories are told of the ways of the Pompeian's, complete with descriptions of the utterly depraved practices of the city. So obviously, when first learning of a novel based on the vile city of Pompeii, the first thing to come to mind would be a deep concern for the appropriate level of historical facts about this extremely immoral city. At least, that's what first popped into my mind! And to be completely honest, it nearly turned me one hundred percent off to this novel instantly, before even really looking it over, just based off the place it is set in. But, after reading helpful reviews of the book written by my fellow book friends on Good Reads, (A big thanks to you ladies!) I decided to step out and take the risk and request to review this book. And let me just say I'm so very glad that I did! Otherwise I'd have sorely missed out on one of my favorite reads of 2013, as well as the newfound discovery of a new favorite author!

 

To start, I just want to say that this book exceeded my expectations in a far greater way than I could even have imagined. Once I finished it, I was just blow away with how well written the story was, as well as all the historical details and spiritual values in it. The character development in this novel was phenomenal as there is so much growth between the characters as the story progresses. I really enjoyed getting the opportunity to read about the characters, and it made me feel like I was there in Pompeii at times.

 

Another thing that blew me away with this story is all the historical facts and details that left me with a much greater understanding of Pompeii than before I opened the pages of this book. It's clear just how much time Tracy spent in researching the culture, and lifestyles of the Pompeian's; and at the end of the book I really enjoyed reading about all the additional facts about Pompeii as well as learning which characters really were real Pompeian's.

 

However, the biggest con for me with this story was how even though there was a strong immoral thread, the author also wove a thick Christian strand into the story and gave the storyline a strong Christian influence. Unlike other novels written on Pompeii from a atheistic author point of view, I found it refreshing to find a book that while plainly stated the vileness of Pompeii, it was from a Christian point of view and kept details to a minimum; as it promoted the Christian values versus the Pompeian values. While there were a lot of times when the ways of the Pompeian's were clearly stated, it wasn't exaggerated, or glorified. It was just told as is, without detail. I loved how Tracy incorporated the life's of the early Christians into the novel to compare to the Pompeian's. It was an interesting contrast and one that got me to thinking about the lives of the early Christians and the difficulty their faith brought to their life.

 

Another thing I loved about this book was the way it opened my eyes to the life lesson of living each day as if it where your last. When reading this book, I would always be reminded that seemingly big circumstances to the characters were actually not as big when put in light of the fact that the city was in it's last days, and really made me see the characters differently.

 

Now while this is in my opinion a phenomenal historical fiction novel, there are a couple mature reader scenes/content that I feel must be mentioned. And it should also be noted that this is by no means a book that is appropriate for every age level. Though I will state that the author deals with it very well. While she doesn't leave out details or take away from the historical accurateness of the city by glossing over their culture - all be it an extremely nasty one - she states things plainly but without detail or extravagance. The mature reader content in this novel included violence in scenes in the gladiatorial events, public persecution of Christians, vileness of masters when mistreating their servants, as well as the obviously painful deaths of Pompeian's when Mount Vesuvius erupted. As well as topics concerning brothels, and discreet mentions of the evils so prevalent to that time period which were performed out in the open, especially the numerous gods of the people and their forms of worship in temples. While the topic came up more times than I'd have cared for, I'll say it was dealt with in the discreet way possible given the setting. Another thing to be noted was the vile gay views for most Pompeian's who were passionate about this view which so clearly goes against Christian values. So I would strongly urge that for younger readers, before reading this book to think through the cons as well as discuss them with your parents before venturing into this story.

 

In all, though there are a few cons to this story, all of them being the mature content, I'd say that the historical benefit and the wonderfully written story line makes it worth it and a book to long stay in ones mind. I eagerly await the publication of future Tracy Higley novels and am so glad I ended up reading this book as I feel like I've benefited from it greatly!!

 

N O T E :: I'd like to sincerely thank Thomas Nelson publishers of BookSneeze.com for the opportunity to review this book. I was not paid to write this review, and all thoughts expressed are my own, completely honest and unbiased.

God In Slow Motion By Mike Nappa Book Review

/ / G o d   I n   S l o w   M o t i o n / /

 

{Review By Madi}

 

Title: God In Slow Motion

Author: Mike Nappa

Source: Review Book

Number Of Pages: 217

ISBN: 978-1-4002-0462-5

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: 2013

Madi's Rating: 5 Out Of 5 Stars

 

/ / Book Description / /

 

Jesus was not in a hurry.

He had only three years of public ministry--three years to heal and teach and change the world--but the Bible never tells us he was rushing through them.

We are the ones who rush through them. Catching the gist of this parable. Smiling at the punch line in that dialogue. We can race through the Gospels in hours, fully briefed on Christ's life, but hardly changed.

Until we sit down with Mike Nappa's "God in Slow Motion." Nappa hasn't carved up the Gospels for quick review or sliced them into tiny pieces for academic study. He has taken ten important moments from the life of Christ and reveled in them, chewing on their words, relating them to life, comparing them with modern culture, allowing the Spirit to work, and letting Christ change him.

The result is a rich, personal, and biblical narrative about Jesus and how His purposes unfold, then and now. See how God is sneaky about his glory. How he presents evidence for belief. How he can be comforting and terrifying at once. This is the "good news" in all its many-splendored wonder: the life of Christ, frame by frame.

And it is worth every minute because it will change you too.

  

/ / Madi's Book Review / /

This was probably the best book that I have read this year. When I read my Bible, I so often overlook the little details that can make all the difference. Sometimes, I gloss over that one short sentence that defines a passage. In this book Mike Nappa takes a closer look at some of the experiences of Christ, and he makes you take a look at the smaller details that truly convinced me of God's great love in a whole different way. Some parts of the Bible aren't discussed in church as much as others, and often important parts of Christ's ministry is left untaught. I can tell that Mike spends a lot of time studying his Bible. He would have to in order to write a book like this one. I have made it a personal goal to spend more time in God's word daily over the past year or so, and I wish that I could have read this book when I was going through the gospels. I received so much insight from God In Slow Motion that I will never look at certain scripture passages the same way again. I feel like I gained so much understanding of what Christ meant when he was doing little things of service toward others.

 

One thing that I really liked about this book is that the author gave great comparisons, so that I could better understand what doing something like what Jesus was doing could be interpreted. For example: When he was touching on the passage where Jesus was washing the feet of his disciples, he compared it to ordering a cup of coffee. You wouldn't just walk up to someone and say "Hey! I would like a mocha latte with chocolate and caramel drizzled on the top. And make it snappy." That would be insulting. Back in the days of Jesus' life on earth washing some ones feet was even worse. It was more along the lines of "scrubbing prison toilets". When people of that era wanted their feet washed, they would usually take care of it themselves. But some of the more wealthy would require their servants to do the dirty work of scrubbing out the mud from between their toes. Nasty, huh? They wouldn't even let certain servants take on the chore. The Jewess servants stood aside while the lowly esteemed servants washed feet. But Jesus did that for His disciples. Not because He wanted to prove to them that He was great, because, hey, He is God after all. No, He washed their feet because He already IS great.

 

That is just one example of the many things I learned through reading this book, and I hope to find another book like this one soon. Jewels like this don't come around a lot you know. I would encourage anyone that is trying to deepen their relationship with Christ by understanding him better to read this book. I promise you this; you won't be disappointed. I'm so grateful to have this book on my shelf. I know that when the goin' gets rough, this is one that I will reread. It's such an encouragement!

 

 ~Madi For The Literary Maidens