I just finished probably one of the most confusing Christian fiction books I have ever read. The story is told from first person point of view. I actually prefer that type of writing, normally. This book, it seemed to confuse the plot even more.
It is the story of a couple who used to be ambassadors of the United States to Venezuela. Suddenly, their lives are turned upside down by an assasination attempt. They are now in hidding in a remote Mexican town where no one, including family, can reach them. One day, a man walks back into their lives and brings news that will shatter what remains of their lives. Will they be able to recover from all the pain and the pain that is to come? Will their marriage ever be able to survive this?
My biggest complaint with this book is that the author unnecessarily-in my opinion-withholds information. Don't get me wrong. I don't want to know everything. I just want to be able to understand why they are asking each other the questions they do. If the story is told in first person, we should know what the storyteller knows. Keep the information the other characters have secret.
That being said, I think the book is good, just confusing. I am still deciding if I truelly liked the ending. But that is what makes it good for me. Sometimes, I want to read a story that could be real. Reality never ends like books do. To read a book that is more reality than fiction was nice.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale Publishers as part of their 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
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James
I just finished Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James.
The main character of this story is Lily. She comes from a well-to-do family. She falls in love with her brother's friend Jack. But, they do not get married because he comes from a poor family. Fast forward a few years and now, he has made his fortune out west and has bought a publishing company. Unbeknownst to anyone, Lily is a writer for that publishing company writing "Dime novels". Her novels, unlike other ones of the same genre, have a moral and Christian theme to them. But, being a woman, she is not suposed to be doing anything so "scandalous" as writing and making money-especially writing "Dime novels". The only other hickup in Lily getting back together with Jack is that she is now engaged to another man. What is she to do? Will Lily and Jack ever get together?
I loved the setting of turn of the century America. I never thought about how Christians at that time had to watch their testimony even more than we do today. I did think it was funny that the author seemed to be defending herself writing "Christian Ficion". We seem to poo-poo Christian fiction writers-especially all of my guy friends! :) I thought the book was easy reading and fun. A great summer read!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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
The main character of this story is Lily. She comes from a well-to-do family. She falls in love with her brother's friend Jack. But, they do not get married because he comes from a poor family. Fast forward a few years and now, he has made his fortune out west and has bought a publishing company. Unbeknownst to anyone, Lily is a writer for that publishing company writing "Dime novels". Her novels, unlike other ones of the same genre, have a moral and Christian theme to them. But, being a woman, she is not suposed to be doing anything so "scandalous" as writing and making money-especially writing "Dime novels". The only other hickup in Lily getting back together with Jack is that she is now engaged to another man. What is she to do? Will Lily and Jack ever get together?
I loved the setting of turn of the century America. I never thought about how Christians at that time had to watch their testimony even more than we do today. I did think it was funny that the author seemed to be defending herself writing "Christian Ficion". We seem to poo-poo Christian fiction writers-especially all of my guy friends! :) I thought the book was easy reading and fun. A great summer read!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
Friday, May 14, 2010
God's Promises for Girls
I just received the book God's Promises for Girls by Jack Countryman and Amy Parker. This book is divided up into small sections about God's promises and how to act.
I decided to review this book because I have a lot of friends with little girls and wanted to know if this was a good book for them. When I got the book, I was heading over to my friend Heidi's house to hang out with her and her children. Her oldest is three years old. I thought instead of just reviewing it myself I would share it with her and get her opinion as well.
Delaney was so excited to look through the book and read it with me. She was facinated by the pictures. As I read through the book, she could not get enough.
The layout of the book is really nice. There is one to two pages for each subject. There is a picture and a short paragraph. Following are a few verses about the subject. Some of the subjects are being kind to others, praying for peace, being a good daughter, and serving others.
I liked that the layout was so easy to read and the verses were perfect. Some of the verses were longer for a three year old, but would be perfect for an older child. I would definatly recommend this to anyone with a little girl. Whether used for devotions, or even to explain diferent ways to act; this would be a great teaching tool for parents.
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express are my own.
I decided to review this book because I have a lot of friends with little girls and wanted to know if this was a good book for them. When I got the book, I was heading over to my friend Heidi's house to hang out with her and her children. Her oldest is three years old. I thought instead of just reviewing it myself I would share it with her and get her opinion as well.
Delaney was so excited to look through the book and read it with me. She was facinated by the pictures. As I read through the book, she could not get enough.
The layout of the book is really nice. There is one to two pages for each subject. There is a picture and a short paragraph. Following are a few verses about the subject. Some of the subjects are being kind to others, praying for peace, being a good daughter, and serving others.
I liked that the layout was so easy to read and the verses were perfect. Some of the verses were longer for a three year old, but would be perfect for an older child. I would definatly recommend this to anyone with a little girl. Whether used for devotions, or even to explain diferent ways to act; this would be a great teaching tool for parents.
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express are my own.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews
I just finished my first book for book sneeze! And it was amazing!
When I first got The Heart Mender in the mail, I immediately turned to the back to read more about it. The first thing I saw was the Self-Help/Motivational/Inspirational listing. My heart sank. Not that those kind of books are bad, I just do not prefer them. Well, I had to get through it. So glad I did! Now I know I need to look through the entire book store, I might just find another gem like this one in a section where I least expect it. (Just what I need, another excuse to spend another couple of hours in Barnes and Noble!)
The story is about three people: the author Andy Andrews, an American woman in Texas during WWII, and a German submarine sailor also in WWII. It starts with the author finding some German war artifacts in his back yard. He becomes curious and starts to research how they got there. The story then goes back and forth between Helen Mason and Lt. Josef Landermann. Helen is angry at everything after her husband was killed by German bombs in England. Lt. Josef Landermann had to leave his wife and child back in German and was forced to fight. He is not a Nazi, he is a German.
I have already told many people about this book. It is wonderful for book lovers, history lovers, romantic people, and so many others. I can not wait to hear what the people I have told to read it so I can discuss the book with them.
I would obviously highly recommend this book to everyone. It is an easy read, but not "dumbed-down". The flow of the book is natural and not forced in any way. I hate when authors do that to their readers!
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”
When I first got The Heart Mender in the mail, I immediately turned to the back to read more about it. The first thing I saw was the Self-Help/Motivational/Inspirational listing. My heart sank. Not that those kind of books are bad, I just do not prefer them. Well, I had to get through it. So glad I did! Now I know I need to look through the entire book store, I might just find another gem like this one in a section where I least expect it. (Just what I need, another excuse to spend another couple of hours in Barnes and Noble!)
The story is about three people: the author Andy Andrews, an American woman in Texas during WWII, and a German submarine sailor also in WWII. It starts with the author finding some German war artifacts in his back yard. He becomes curious and starts to research how they got there. The story then goes back and forth between Helen Mason and Lt. Josef Landermann. Helen is angry at everything after her husband was killed by German bombs in England. Lt. Josef Landermann had to leave his wife and child back in German and was forced to fight. He is not a Nazi, he is a German.
I have already told many people about this book. It is wonderful for book lovers, history lovers, romantic people, and so many others. I can not wait to hear what the people I have told to read it so I can discuss the book with them.
I would obviously highly recommend this book to everyone. It is an easy read, but not "dumbed-down". The flow of the book is natural and not forced in any way. I hate when authors do that to their readers!
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com
Monday, April 26, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
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