Books/Reading

Book Review: Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble

August 24, 2012 By JulieK

From the summary:

Inheriting a beautiful old hotel on the Outer Banks could be a dream come true for Libby. The inn cries out for her restorer’s talent and love of history. She’s delighted to learn of the family she never knew she had. And the handsome Coast Guard lieutenant she’s met there on the island could definitely be the man of her dreams.

But Libby soon realizes that the only way she can afford the upkeep on the inn is to sell it to developers who are stalking the island. The father who willed her the inn has died before she could meet him, and her newfound brother and sister are convinced she’s there to steal their birthright. Worst of all, her best friend and business partner has been kidnapped before her eyes, and Libby’s under suspicion for the crime.

I have to say, I really did enjoy this story. It started as a very entertaining and quick read where you’re pulled into the story very quickly. The story is full of interesting plot twists and turns. Hope Island itself is painted as a beautiful place, one that you’d love to go and visit. I enjoy Christian Fiction, and my only minor complaint with the story is that while most of the Christian references flow beautifully within the story, occasionally the references seem to be a little bit forced.

Overall I would recommend this book, I hope that there will be more in the series as I would love to learn more about Libby!

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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.”

Book Review: This Scarlet Cord

July 20, 2012 By JulieK

Oh, I love historical fiction, and historical fiction that makes a biblical story come to life is among my favorites. This story is the story of Rahab, a Canaanite woman whose life takes many turns and eventually leads to Joshua and the fall of Jericho. From the book description “Hidden within the battle of Jericho is the story of Rahab, a beautiful and brave young Canaanite woman who aided the Israelites by hanging a piece of scarlet cord from a window. This act of faith changed her life by placing her in the genealogy of Christ.” The book doesn’t disappoint, it brings you very quickly straight into the story.

I knew the story of Joshua and the battle at Jericho, but this fictional story brought the bigger battle, the battle for the One True God to life. Set in a land far away, and very different from where I live, the text brought the setting straight to the reader. This was a very quick, and very entertaining read. Although I knew the story, and how it would eventually end, I was sad when I arrived at the final page, this was one of those books that I didn’t want to end.

Book Review: Through Rushing Water by Catherine Richmond

July 4, 2012 By JulieK

What an eye opening fictional journey to Dakota Territory! Sofia, Russian by birth, and teaching French at a New York women’s college, is convinced that her soon-to-be senator is about to propose to her. She makes her way through the crowd just in time to hear him announce her room mate as his betrothed. The stunned and embarrassed Sofia signs up to become a missionary, and expects to be sent to China. Her assignment sends her to Dakota Territory, where we come to meet the Ponca Tribe.
I learned about how the government treated our own native people in school, but this book brought the story and the hardships to life. I wanted to reach through the book and shake the governmental forces and agents who brought such a proud people to the brink of destruction. Throughout the story, you meet people and their stories, and you are brought right to the time and place with rich descriptions of the hardships and triumphs. Sofia is spunky and not afraid to put herself in harms way to do her missionary work.
Once the story got going, I was afraid that the “love story” would detract from the real story of the people, but it added a very nice complement to a hardship story. Once Sofia meets the Ponca, she works tirelessly to try and help them.

I really enjoyed this book, it was difficult to read some parts, simply because the hardships were real. But, as a historical fiction, it was a great read.

Book Review: 1000 Days The Ministry of Christ by Jonathan Falwell

June 23, 2012 By JulieK

1000 Days The Ministry of Christ by Jonathan Falwell

Jonathan Falwell certainly has a family history with ministry. In 1000 Days, he chronicles the approximately 1000 days of Jesus’ time actively ministering here on earth before the crucifixion. Mr. Falwell uses snippets of scripture to illustrate Jesus’ words, and then interjects how we can use those words to help ourselves here today. There are present day examples to use as illustrations of how we can use the information in our own lives and live in a more Christ-centric way.

This book was not at all what I expected it to be, I enjoyed reading it, but what I wanted to read was more of a history book, maybe taking all the information we have in the Gospels and merging them together as a chronological history lesson. That is not what this book is. This book takes several specific events of Christ’s ministry here on earth, and uses the scripture to evangelize and preach about how we can use the scripture in our daily lives. I think it would be a good introduction for someone who does not know much about the scripture. There is a lot of basic information in each chapter, and if a group of people wanted to use the book as a jumping off place to learn more, there are group discussion questions included at the end of each chapter.

I did enjoy reading the book, but I wished that the balance tipped more toward the scripture and less toward the preaching. Overall, if you’re looking for an overview of Jesus’ ministry, you’ll get a good foundation through this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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.”

What have you been doing?

April 23, 2012 By JulieK

Well…

Certainly not updating my blog :) Actually I’ve been doing a whole heap of stuff!! I just finished an online class, we had vacation, there’s the kids’ baseball schedules and there’s always crafty-projects going on… But what I’ve been doing most lately is reading… Yes, I’m obsessive compulsive, and that’s my obsession of choice at the moment. Here’s what I’ve read lately… Quite a hodge-podge of books :) The links when you click on the pictures are affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure page for more information.

Shadow of the Titanic by Andrew Wilson

I’ll start with the book that I just finished… And the book that is totally out of my “box.” If you know me at all, you know that I don’t “do” drama, I refuse to go and see movies if they are real-life or could possibly be sad in any way… There’s enough drama in real life, I don’t want to pay to go see it… Ummm (spoiler alert!), the Titanic? it sinks. I have no idea why any person would want to see it in 3D… But, I heard this author do an interview on NPR during their coverage of the 100th anniversary of the sinking… And it sounded interesting. The book follows the survivors, and how the sinking and survival shaped the rest of their lives. I will say, it was excellent! I really enjoyed the book, it was well written, and I found the transitions from person to person well thought out and connected. I can’t say enough about it, and it really isn’t my kind of book… but it was really good.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Now, this book? My kind of book :) There are witches AND vampires… what’s not to like?? I read all 4 of the Twilight books in a month… This is my kind of story! The only problem is that the sequel doesn’t come out until July 10th, and I can’t wait that long to find out what happens next! This book flowed nicely, with enough fake history to allow you to escape into their world :)

30 Pieces of Silver by Carolyn McCray

This book was not what I was hoping it would be. The description touted it as something like the DaVinci Code… Described as a controversial historical/religious thriller that will challenge everything you’ve ever been taught… Ummm, not so much. I throughly enjoyed the DaVinci Code book, it didn’t “challenge” my beliefs, I read it as a novel… and really enjoyed it. This book didn’t hang together as well as the DiVinci Code. The changes from past to present were clunky and awkward. There wasn’t enough of the historical information to make it really “believable” (and I’d like to point out that I found the aforementioned witches and vampires believeable… so my threshold isn’t all that high). The action scenes were entertaining, but not enough to make it all hold together. I wasn’t completely sad when I finished this one.

Griffin’s Daughter Trilogy by Leslie Ann Moore

Well, I finished Dead Sexy, and needed something else to read… The first book in the trilogy happened to be on my Kindle, I have no idea how long it had been there, but I figured, it was there, and something to read… Elves and castles… My kind of book. The first book was very entertaining, the second seemed kinda hurried, and the third book was disappointing… So, for 3 books we’re leading up to this epic battle between good and evil… and on one page, with one sentance… “he knew what he had to do”… That was it… No description of the battle, no explanation of what happened… All that build up… the ending was a disappointment… but the first book was entertaining…

Dead Sexy by Tate Halloway

This book started the obsession… I picked this one up at the library, simply because we were standing by the “new” books area, and Mike was talking to someone… I happened to look over at the shelf, and saw the title: “Dead Sexy: No Rest for the Wiccan” which made me giggle out loud. This one had witches, vampires AND Zombies oh, my! Very fluffy read, and very entertaining. I enjoyed it a lot, and although it’s not the height of literature, it was a fun and quick read.

That’s what I’ve been up to lately! So, what should I read next??