Eyes of Justice: A Review

I've been reading Lis Wiehl's Triple Threat series since the first book.  They are the kind of books that you get more and more wrapped up in as the series continues.  You feel like you really get to know the three friends who make up the group.  You see the ups and downs through the cases they work, as well  as their personal struggles.

That's what makes Eyes of Justice such a shocker - one of the Triple Threat women becomes the victim, leaving her remaining friends grief-stricken and searching for her killer.  I never saw the beginning of this book coming.  Ok, I never saw any of this coming!  I was floored by the events as the whole story unfolded.

It was a pretty emotional read, but I think this is probably the best book yet of the Triple Threat series.  It's a little tricky to really review the book without giving away too much of the plotline, but it's safe to say it's a fantastic read!  As always, I look forward to the next book and can't wait to see the new directions the series is sure to go in.

Heaven is For Real

I have to admit, I was a little wary when I first heard about "Heaven is for Real."  I've read books before by people who claimed to have gone to heaven and returned to earth, and to be honest, many of them don't line up with Scripture.  But when I found out this book told the story of a child who saw heaven, I was very interested. 

I really didn't expect this book to influence me like it did.  It rocked me to the core.  If you want something that will build your faith, this is the book you need.  The descriptions shared from Colton's experiences are incredible.  I read much of the book with tears in my eyes.  When Colton told his dad, "Did you know that Jesus has a horse only He can ride?" I had goosebumps.  Colton's descriptions of heaven and of an adoring Father who loves us more than we will ever know will not disappoint even a skeptical reader (like me).

Thank you to BookSneeze for allowing me to review this book.  I received a free copy in exchange for my review - however, the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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On my "I can't wait to read" list....

I was so excited when I logged onto Booksneeze this afternoon and found this on the availabe books list!  I immediately loaded it our iPad.  It may be slow reading, since I still have six weeks of college left before Christmas break, but I can't wait to dive into it!  I've heard so many awesome things about Heaven is for Real.

This is going to be my first ebook to review, and I've got to say, I love it!  Nothing can beat getting a book immediately instead of having to wait a week or two for a hard copy to come in the mail.  I love books.  I love technology.  When the two are combined, can it get any better?

A Review and a Brook McGlothlin GIVEAWAY!

One thing I've learned in my life is that life rarely goes as planned!  When I was a kid, my career plans and goals changed as often as my hairstyles, but one dream never changed - I dreamed of being a writer. Not just any writer, but a bestselling mystery author who lived on a huge farm with her husband, her five kids, and her many pets.  I would write, always full of fresh and new ideas, and I would enjoy life on my farm all day long.

Fast forward twenty-some-odd years, and you'll find me - a working mom of two, pastor's wife, and college student with a blog, living in a small town and nowhere near a farm...the closest thing we have to a farm animal is our teacup Yorkie.  Let's just say that childhood dream didn't pan out quite the way I expected.  I love my life, and I wouldn't trade this reality for any childhood dream.  But the dream of being a writer is still there...it's just grown and changed with me over the years.

I was so excited to get a copy of Notes to Aspiring Writers to review!  Brooke's new books isn't a "theory" book or a "technical" book - it's a heart book.  It digs deeper than the writing itself, and goes to the heart of writing.  It's about letting go of our dreams and embracing God's dreams for our lives.  It's about learning to accept our circumstances when God says "no."  It's about following God's leading to your real life's mission.  With study questions and a resource list included, you can go even deeper into your reasons for writing and find great ways to sharpen your skills.  This book was so inspiring and challenging to me!

Now for the best part...the giveaway!  I'm very excited to offer a FREE copy of Notes to Aspiring Writers to one lucky winner!  Here are the rules:

1. MANDATORY ENTRY:  Like Notes to Aspiring on Facebook (here) and leave a comment letting me know you did.

2. ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: 
* Share this giveaway by Twitter, Facebook, or your blog - leave a comment for each method you use to share the giveaway.

Entries will be open until Saturday, August 27th at midnight and the winner will be announced on Sunday, August 28th.  Thanks for entering, and good luck!

Heart of Ice - A Review

A cold-blooded killer is at work in Portland.  Seemingly random acts of arson, theft, fraud and multiple murders that appear unrelated are happening around the city, orchestrated by a master criminal.  This time, the threat is right under the noses of the Triple Threat Club, and they have no idea how close they are to the killer...close enough to be in danger themselves.  The danger intensifies as the crimes start hitting closer to home.  Add to this the life-changing medical crisis one member faces and the family crisis of another, and you have a page-turner that you can't put down until the very end.

I've been reading Lis Wiehl's Triple Threat series from book one, and they just keep getting better.  Lis tackles each mystery is a unique way, bringing you three different perspectives – a prosecutor, an FBI agent, and a crime reporter.  As the three friends work together to solve the case, Lis also delves deeper into their personal lives and the struggles they each face.  I am now a dedicated fan, and I look forward to the release of each new book.  This series is a must-read for mystery fans!

*In exchange for reviewing this book, I received a free copy from BookSneeze.

Sisterchicks!

I've been a big fan of the Sisterchicks books by Robin Jones Gunn since I read the very first one.  While I'm a huge mystery/suspense fan, these books are light, fun "chick lit" perfect for a break from heavier reading.  I was very excited recently to get the latest release, Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes, to review.

The latest book in the series shares the adventures of two long-time pen pals who finally get to meet face to face.  Summer has raised a family of six and juggled all the challenges that her busy life has thrown her way, but an abnormal result on a routine test throws her life into turmoil.  She decides to make the long dreamed about trip to the Netherlands to meet her friend Noelle.  As the two friends share a week of adventures, they learn to find God in the small, everyday moments and to trust Him with the big and small challenges. 

Robin makes each location she writes about in the Sisterchicks book come alive, and this one is no exception!  Although I had never really thought about traveling to the Netherlands before, I would now love to go.  From stories of Corrie ten Boom's home to the tulip fields to the famous artwork, she makes it sound like an amazing place to be.  I would deinintely recommend this book, especially to anyone who loves to travel - or those who only dream of it.

*In exchange for reviewing this book, I received a free copy from Waterbrook-Multnomah's Blogging for Books program.

Book Review: Same Kind of Different as Me

This is, hands down, one of the best books I have ever read.  Same Kind of Different as Me is a must read! 

This amazing true story tells how God brought two very different people in the most unlikely way, how their relationship evolved to the deepest of friendships, and the woman who brought them together changed both their lives forever.  It's also the story of how God can bring us through the most painful circumstances with His limitless love.  I shed a lot of tears as I read this book, but by the end, I was in awe of how powerful love and friendship really are.

For everyone who grew up in the comfortable, middle-class lifestyle that many of us knew as children, this book will also open your eyes.  As one of the co-authors, Denver Moore, tells his story of poverty and homelessness, you will see a side of American life that you may not have known even existed.  It gave me a totally different perspective on poverty and homelessness.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone!

*In exchange for my review, I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze.  All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Flight of Shadows

I really stepped out of my realm when I chose Flight of Shadows by Sigmund Brouwer for a book review. Admittedly, I’m not a sci-fan fan, but I read some of his books several years ago and really enjoyed them, so I wanted to give this one a shot.

The writing is great, and the story is interesting. My only real complaint about the book was that I felt lost. I didn’t realize that it was the sequel to a previous book, and the book assumes that you already know a lot of the background and characters of this story. Set in a futuristic America, Flight of Shadows tells the story of Caitlyn, a young woman with very unique DNA thanks to genetic experimentation. In fact, it’s so unique that she’s running for her life, with the help of a few unusual, but loyal, friends. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of science fiction, but I would recommend reading the first book, Broken Angel, so you’ll have a deeper understanding of the characters and story.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

Book Review - Hand of Fate

When controversial talk radio host Jim Fate is murdered, the first instict in Portland is panic over the possibility that it is related to recent sarin gas attacks.  But before his death, Fate had reached out to Federal prosector Allison Pierce and FBI agent Nicole Hedges about threats he'd received.  Determined to find his killer, Allison, Nicole, and their friend, crime reporter Cassidy Shaw, dive into the investivation and find a lengthy list of people who wanted him dead.  Can they find the killer before he or she strikes even closer to home?

Fox News fans will recognize Lis Wiehl as a legal analyist for the station.  I read and reviewed her first novel in the Triple Threat Series, Face of Betrayal.  I liked her first book - I liked Hand of Fate even more.  As you get to know the characters in the series more, you find yourself drawn more and more into their lives.  I feel like Lis Wiehl really took her writing skills up a notch with this book.  The story really reached out and grabbed me.  Her books are a great read that have a Women's Murder Club kind of feel to them.  Don't expect an overtly Christian theme to her books, though - she weaves ideas throughout the story to make you think, but they don't have an "in your face" approach to Christianity, making a great way to introduce non-Christian readers to the world of Christian fiction.

* In exchange for reviewing this book, I received a free copy from Book Sneeze.

Never Let You Go - Book Review

In a matter of months, Lexi Solomon's world crashed around her. It was enough to crush most people, but her love for her daughter Molly has carried her through losing everything else. Life is hard, but they've managed to survive, and Lexi hopes their circumstances will soon start looking up. Out of the blue, Lexi's past comes back to haunt her - her sister's killer, her estranged husband, and the man who led her husband to drugs. Lexi once again feels like her world is crashing down. But along with the men from her past comes a mysterious stranger who always seems to show up when he's needed the most. Lexi is left fighting forces that are determined to destroy her to save the last remaining shreds of what matters most to her.


Wow! That pretty much sums up my initial reaction to Erin Healy's first "on her own" novel. This book is amazing! It keeps you hanging on and wanting more. Never Let You Go echoes the feeling of Frank Peretti's novels on spiritual warfare. Her storytelling pulls you in to Lexi's life, and the story leaves you standing in awe of God's love and grace. I can't wait to read Erin Healy's next book - she has made me a dedicated fan.

*In exchange for reviewing this book, I received a free copy of the book from BookSneeze.

Reverting to Childhood?

That must be what's happening to me!  I went to the library Friday to check out some books for spring break.  That's what I miss the most since I started college...having time to curl up and get lost in a good book.  So I've been saying I wanted to check out a bunch of books and spend time reading over my break.

What's funny is what I came out of the library with...they're all from the teen section!  I've been feeling nostalgic lately, wanting to go back and re-read childhood favorites like A Wrinkle in Time, Anne of Green Gables and the entire Chronicles of Naria.  I actually looked for the newest book by Ted Dekker, my favorite author, but someone had already checked it out.  So I headed for the teen section and picked up another Ted Dekker book, Chosen.  I also got Madeline L'Engle's A House Like a Lotus, which is about the daughter of the main character in A Wrinkle in Time.  I also checked out The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, since I loved the movie, but that was just too teen-agery for me - I quit after the first couple of chapters.

I've already spent some time snuggled up with a good book this weekend, but I plan on spending a lot more time during the coming week doing just that.  I'm so excited about the having the whole week off work and out of school.  Most of all, I'm looking forward to spending time with my family, relaxing and having fun together.  It's going to be an awesome week!

Books That Changed My Life

I love to read, and I've read a lot of really good books over the years. There are a few, though, that stand out as books that really influenced me and changed my way of thinking - I can honestly say that these books changed my life.

1. A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George

This was one of the first books I read as a newlywed...a newlywed who was completely clueless about marriage, managing a home, and pretty much everything else about real life. It helped me so much! It's especially a great book for new Christians or newly weds.

2. The Power of a Praying Wife
3. The Power of a Praying Parent
4. The Power of a Praying Woman all by Stormie Omartian

These books absolutely revolutionized my prayer life! Each book suggests 30 areas of prayer, along with Scripture references and personal stories from the author. These are a must own!

5. Believing God by Beth Moore

The whole focus of this book is that as Christians, we believe in God, but how much do we really believe God and His promises? It really challenged my thinking - awesome book!

6. Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer

Most people don't know that I fought a very long and difficult battle with fear for years. There was a point in my life when fear had almost crippled me - I was afraid for my husband to even drive to the store. It took a long to overcome that fear, and I'm convinced that I would never have won that battle without this book. It helped me tremendously!

7. Taking Care of the Me in Mommy by Lisa Welchel

I picked this book up on the bargain shelf at a Christian bookstore, not realizing just how much of a bargain I was getting! This book is full of practical ideas for so many areas of life. I have used ideas from it for menu planning, grocery shopping, chore charts, Scripture memory and more. I find myself turning to it over and over again. Lisa's website is full of charts and examples mentioned in the book, including the best idea I've ever seen for a prayer journal. I tweaked her idea slightly and created my own prayer journal from it.

8. How to Study Your Bible  by Kay Arthur

Kay Arthur's Bible study plan is the best I've ever found for personal Bible study, and I've tried a lot of them! What I love the most about it is the fact that she encourages you to dig into God's Word for yourself and not just take someone else's word for it. I believe so many Christians would be so much stronger and so much more grounded in their faith if they would do that! Doing inductive study will make the Bible more real, more interesting, and more alive for you than ever before.

Book Review - Green, by Ted Dekker

Thomas Hunter, the hero of the Circle trilogy, is watching his world fall apart. His son Samuel is rebelling, the Circle is fracturing, and the followers of Elyon are surrounded by enemies on every side. Many in the Circle are beginning to doubt Elyon's promises and question his ways. Meanwhile, in his sister Kara's world, life is also unravelling thanks to Billy Rediger and his quest to find the truth about the events that occured in Paradise, Colorado and how it's tied to Thomas Hunter. A final battle between good and evil is brewing in both worlds, and Thomas must race to save them both.
I have to admit, when I first read the description of Green and the fact that it's both the end and the beginning of Ted Dekker's Circle novels, I wondered how he would pull that off. In a way that only Dekker can, this book truly can be a starting point or an ending. Personally, I would read it as the end of the books, because it also ties up a lot of loose ends and fully brings together both the Circle novels and the Paradise novels. This book is great! I have to admit, the switching back and forth of the settings can be a little confusing at first, but it's all tied together well at the end. The symbolism is unmistakable - I actually found myself reading the last few chapters with tears in my eyes. This book is a must read for any fans of Dekker's Circle and Paradise novels!

My 5 Favorite Books (Fiction)

1. The Awakening - Angela Hunt
2. Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers
3. Adam - Ted Dekker
4. Thr3e - Ted Dekker
5. The Atonement Child - Francine Rivers

My review for Face of Betrayal

Face of Betrayal is a great first novel from Lis Wiehl, someone fans of the Fox News Channel are very familiar with! The story has a "ripped from the headlines" feel as three friends investigate the disappearance of 17 year old Senate page Katie Converse. As they delve into the case, they discover disturbing clues from Katie's blog pointing a mysterious relationship with a much older man. The friends race to piece together the puzzle of who he is and what happened to Katie.
Lis gives the reader a unique perspective on the story because it is told from three different viewpoints - prosecutor Allison Pierce, FBI agent Nicole Hodges, and reporter Cassidy Shaw. The storyline is good and takes some surprising twists. Lis also takes you into the personal lives of each of the characters, and she leaves several loose ends that left me wanting to know more. It's a great book - if I had any complaints, it's the fact that there were a few minor details, and one very short scene in particular, that I would rather not see in a Christian book.
Overall, I really enjoyed Face of Betrayal, and I hope that I get the opportunity to review Lis' next Triple Threat novel, Hand of Fate, due out in April 2010.

My review for The Noticer

Orange Beach, Alabama is a typical American town - it's filled with people with a lot of needs, from failing marriages to bankrupt businesses to lonely lives. But one by one, lives are changed by a mysterious old drifter known only as Jones. Jones insists that all it takes is a little perspective on your problems to change your life and realize that things are not as bad as they seem to be. As he travels throughout the town, he touches many lives, offering wisdom and hope to those who need it.
"The Noticer" is very different from any other book I've ever read. Part fiction, part self-help, and part good old fashioned wisdom and advice, it definitely makes you think. It gives you, as Jones would say, a little perspective. It also includes a detailed discussion guide that would generate some really good topics for a book club. The sound advice and encouragement it offers, as well as the author's own inspirational life story, would make it a great choice for anyone going through a transition or a difficult time in their life. It made me think about the people who have influenced my own life as well, often in ways they never even realized. It's definitely a book I will pass along to others.

My review for The Rivers Run Dry

Raleigh Harmon's life is not going well. A disciplinary transfer lands the Southern FBI agent far from home in Seattle with an egotistical supervisor. Add to the mix her mom, who has moved with her to live with the quirky sister of Raleigh's deceased father, and the disappearance of a young hiker who may have been kidnapped, and things gets a little crazy.
I really enjoyed "The Rivers Run Dry." It includes quite an interesting cast of characters, from Raleigh's New Age aunt and her friend Claire the Clairovyant, who is all too eager to help Raleigh solve a case - and leads to to some pretty funny episodes; to the ever-evolving list of suspects in the disappearance; to Raleigh's quirky co-workers and sometimes confusing boss. Not only is a great mystery with lots of surprises, but Sibella Giorello's writing style is beautifully descriptive. You can picture each scene is vivid detail. So often, especially when reading a mystery, I feel compelled to keep going simply by the plot - rarely do I find a book with not only a good plot, but one whose poetic language drives me to keep reading and keep enjoying it. This was a great introduction to Giorello's work, and I look forward to reading her next Raleigh Harmon novel, due out next year.

My Book Review for Kiss - by Ted Dekker

I am a huge Ted Dekker fan, so I was really excited to get Kiss. It's a great book, and it's one that any mystery fan will love, even those who don't usually like the intensity of some of Dekker's other books. It's suspenseful, exciting, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story begins with Shauna, the main character, getting ready to confront her father with allegations that, if true, will be shattering, especially since her father is ahead in the polls in his race for President. Her plans to confront him are in place...until a car accident leaves her in a coma. She wakes up unable to remember the last 6 months of her life. As more details are revealed to her, things go from bad to worse. She is blamed for the accident and accused of being involved in drugs. Despite her memory loss, Shauana is convinced that all is not as it seems. As the story unfolds, Shauana is fighting not only to clear her name, but also to find out what she researching and who is behind the attempts to cover it up. She also battles to repair her strained relationship with her father, fearing whether her quest for the truth will do to further damage. To further complicate the situation, Shauna's coma has enabled her with a strange new gift, but she wonders whether it is a blessing or a curse. I really enjoyed Kiss and am already to looking forward to the next book coauthored by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy, Burn, which will be out next year.

Looking forward to Ted Dekker's newbook...

The Unseen by T.L. Hines - My first Thomas Nelson book review

The Unseen is the first book I've read by T.L. Hines, and I look forward to reading more! The plot twists and turns keep you guessing until the very last page. When the book begins, you start to get an idea of just who Lucas, the main character is...then you very quickly learn that there is more to him that you imagined. Little by little, throughout the book, Hines pieces together Lucas' past. He gives you hints, but he still completely caught me off guard with the ending. The plotline was very original and kept my glued. As you progress through the book, you wonder how the author is going to pull what seems to be several different plot lines together, but once they all tie in, it whole story comes together wonderfully. I got so involved with the book and so caught up in the storyline that I wanted to check every ceiling, closet and crawl space in my home and office as I was reading - you'll understand what I mean after just a couple of chapters! After reading The Unseen, I would love to pick up more books by T.L. Hines. If you are a fan of suspense and mystery novels, I would definately recommend this book!

To find out more about this book, visit Thomas Nelson at: