The Promise ~ Thoughts on Sacrifice

The Promise

THE PROMISE, an epic and poignant film starring Academy-Award winner Christian Bale, Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Nativity Story), Marwan Kenzari and Charlotte Le Bon.

The PROMISE is a touching story about sacrifice and love.  The film portrays two heroes – one with the courage to stand-up for the truth and speak out against injustice – and the other, a friend willing to pay the ultimate price to do what’s right.

Sometimes it is our friends who are the everyday and little known heroes who strengthen and nourish us.  Their presence is a blessing – whether as a shoulder to lean or as a literal lifesaver.

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Have you ever known a person in your own life who was willing to sacrifice for another? A sacrifice that affected the life of others? I have ~ here is a glimpse at what he gave.

J was faced with a decision he could reenlist or he could get out of the military. He was promised that if he reenlisted he would not be sent into the war zone. J needed this assurance with the promise of his first child on the way and his wife's fragile condition. With the assurances that he would stay where he was for the foreseeable future J signed the dotted line so to speak.

Less than a week after reenlisting J's assurances were gone and he was going to be deployed into the war hot zone. His wife was understandably distraught, but there was nothing that J could do. He had reenlisted and his future was no longer his choice.

But J had a friend - one who saw the situation J now found himself in. R was determined to do all he could to make right the situation J now found himself in. R offered to take J's place in the war and surprisingly his offer was acceptable to those who had the final say in deployment. R experienced the war that J was meant to see and to live. But R did what he did for J, his wife and the child they would soon welcome. R made it through the war but at a cost to his own health. But he did it for his friend and he never expressed a regret for the sacrifice he made. 

Sometimes a simple word of encouragement makes a world of difference in someone's day. A helping hand, a listening ear, an offer of a shared lunch, a warm pot of soup. One may never know how a simple kindness and a smile can change another's world.

“Greater love hath no man than this, 

that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

- John 15:13  (KJV)

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Synopsis:

It is 1914. As the Great War looms, the mighty Ottoman Empire is crumbling. Constantinople, the once vibrant, multicultural capital on the shores of the Bosporus, is about to be consumed by chaos.

Michael Boghosian (Oscar Isaac), arrives in the cosmopolitan hub as a medical student determined to bring modern medicine back to Siroun, his ancestral village in Southern Turkey where Turkish Muslims and Armenian Christians have lived side by side for centuries. Photo-journalist Chris Myers (Christian Bale), has come here only partly to cover geo-politics. He is mesmerized by his love for Ana (Charlotte le Bon), an Armenian artist he has accompanied from Paris after the sudden death of her father.

When Michael meets Ana, their shared Armenian heritage sparks an attraction that explodes into a romantic rivalry between the two men. As the Turks form an alliance with Germany and the Empire turns violently against its own religious and ethnic minorities, their conflicting passions must be deferred while they join forces to survive even as events threaten to overwhelm them.

Promises are made and promises are broken. The one promise that must be kept is to live on and tell the story.

THE PROMISE is directed by Academy-Award winner Terry George (Hotel Rwanda, Hart’s War).

Click here to read about the Special Vatican Screening

Movie trailer:

Pursued ~ Review

Pursued
The Nikki Boyd Files #3
By Lisa Harris

The first 48 hours are most critical...

Nikki Boyd is anticipating her landing in Nashville and her reunion with Tyler Grant after his three-month stint overseas. But before the plane can touch down they have a sudden crash landing. The passenger next to Nikki disappears in the chaos. Nikki is determined to find her seat mate but no evidence of her presence on the flight can be found.

What Nikki never expected was getting caught up in a federal case before she has a chance to regroup and recover.  Her family and her personal life will have to wait.  Add in a health issue and Nikki is going to be running on adrenaline and determination before this case wraps-up. Time is of the essence and the clock is kicking down - if they don't find Erika Hamilton within 48 hours it will be too late and criminal will walk.

Someone is determined to silence everyone involved in this case and Nikki may have just become a moving target in this case.

Pursued is one you don't want to miss if you've read any of Lisa Harris's previous books. This is suspense and excitement bundled up perfectly between these covers. Bring on book 4!


About the Book:

Nikki Boyd's flight into Nashville was routine--

until the crash landing at the airport. 

When the dust settles, Nikki discovers that the woman who had been seated next to her on the plane is missing--and no one will admit she was ever there. When she learns that Erika Hamilton had been flying to Nashville with an air marshal as a key witness in an upcoming grand jury trial, Nikki wonders if her disappearance from the crash site means she's running from trouble--or straight into it. Before Nikki can even see her family, she and her team are pulled into a missing persons case where the motives are as unclear as the suspects.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Harris has planted danger around every turn in this can't-put-it-down thrill ride that will leave you stunned.

If I'm Found ~ Review

If I'm Found
If I Run #2
By Terri Blackstock

Casey Cox is on the run having escaped only because, Dylan Roberts, the man sent to hunt her, let her go. But does he truly believe she is innocent in the brutal murder of Brent Pace? And if he does can he help her prove her innocence and bring down the true killers who framed her?

As long as she stays a step or two ahead Casey is determined to find the evidence that she needs and stay alive long enough to prove that Brent's death is related to her father's. But as has proven to be the case before Casey can't let an injustice go unchallenged. When Casey comes across a case with a man being wrongly accused, his family is threatened, and a young girl who is caught up in the middle she can't walk away.

But caring could cost her everything as she is vilified even as her past actions are praised by the news media. Can she hide in plain sight while she looks for the key she needs to save yet another life? And can she trust Dylan enough to let him help her?

If I'm Found takes up right where If I Run left off - Casey is attempting to elude the police as she leaves behind the respite she sought in Shady Grove.  The longer Casey is out there, eluding the police, the more determined those after her are to stopping her before she can share what she's learned. It is a race against time to find the evidence she needs and Casey can't go it alone if she wants to survive!

Now, if you are expecting a satisfying conclusion, don't.  There is one more book in this series so be prepared for a cliff-hanger but the edge of danger isn't quite as close as it was at the conclusion of If I Run. Overall this is a good read. Most of the story is told from Casey or Dylan's point of view which allows the reader to experience it along with them. It will be interesting to see how this series finishes up.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher through BookLook with no expectation of a positive review - all opinions expressed are my own.



About the Book:

Is Dylan hunting Casey 

to prosecute her 

or protect her?

Casey Cox is still on the run, fleeing prosecution for a murder she didn’t commit. Dylan Roberts—her most relentless pursuer—is still on her trail, but his secret emails insist that he knows the truth and wants to help her. He’s let her escape before when he had her in his grasp, but trust doesn’t come easily.

As Casey works to collect evidence about the real murderers, she stumbles on another unbearable injustice: an abused child and a suicidal man who’s also been falsely accused. Casey risks her own safety to right this wrong and protect the little girl from her tormenters. But doing so is risky and just may result in her capture—and if she’s captured, she has no doubt she’ll be murdered before she ever steps foot in a jail.

In this riveting sequel to the USA Today bestseller If I Run, evil lurks, drawing Casey out of the shadows . . . but there is light shining in the darkness. Is Dylan a provision from the God who loves her, or another heartache yet to happen?

Home ~ Review

Home
By Ginny L. Yttrup

Melanie Vander's life isn't what she expected - her husband is working late, she never had the children she wanted, and her latest book is just not getting written. Her husband Craig is frustrated the repressed economy has his company on the very brink of folding and his personal finances are non-existent. And then there is Melanie who gets lost in her alternant reality more often than not. Can anything save their marriage from the course that they now find themselves on?

Meanwhile, Melanie and Craig's neighbors Jill and Marcos are having troubles of their own. Jill has struggled for years with OCD and a recurring nightmare and it is getting worse. But she has fears that getting help may cost her more than she'll gain. Adding to this situation are stresses involving their own parents.

As these two couples work through what they are facing (or haven't faced) they will either become stronger or crumble. Can the love they've shared for years be a strong enough anchor to give them the foundation they need to rebuild and regroup?

Can they all find their way home?

Home is an intensely personal journey for the four main characters Melanie, Craig, Jill, and Marcos. They are all dealing with issues from the past. The strongest issue is an ungrieved loss. And the devastating part is that the grief has been hidden away - festering over the years until suddenly it has to make itself known.

All too often loss is hidden away to avoid dealing with it. Others try to marginalize it rather than acknowledging that someone has lost something precious to them. Another's loss makes us feel vulnerable so we avoid acknowledging another's pain and therefore exasperate their pain. But hiding from our pain isn't the answer as this book shows. We must at times be broken by pain and in the process become stronger because of it. The author weaves a powerful yet subtle message throughout this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

        Melanie runs away. 

                         From conflict. 

                                     From pain. 

                                                      From reality. 

 
When novelist Melanie Vander faces a looming deadline, she decides it’s time for an escape to an inspiring, novel-worthy locale. She’s not running away. Really. She just needs time to focus. But as she disappears into her writing, she encounters a man whose tenderness leaves her reeling. Engaging and wise, psychologist Elliot Hammond tempts Melanie to question everything, including her marriage.

But that’s ridiculous. Dr. Hammond isn’t even…real.

Melanie’s husband, Craig, has his own problems, including a recession that’s threatening his business. Waning finances, a looming home foreclosure, and a wife who’s checked out emotionally, has Craig feeling as though he’s carrying his burdens alone. When his client, the beautiful and single Serena Buchanan, offers him a solution to his financial woes, he’s tempted by more than her offer of a business solution. 

At a crossroads, Melanie and Craig seem headed in opposite directions.

As Melanie runs away from her problems by escaping into her own fictional world, Craig dives into his struggles, seeking God for strength and healing for his marriage. Ultimately, Melanie must choose whether she’ll check out completely, or allow her characters to lead her home.

Energy Trading and Risk Management ~ Spotlight

Energy Trading and Risk Management
By Iris Marie Mack

Book Description:

A comprehensive overview of trading and risk management in the energy markets

Energy Trading and Risk Management provides a comprehensive overview of global energy markets from one of the foremost authorities on energy derivatives and quantitative finance. With an approachable writing style, Iris Mack breaks down the three primary applications for energy derivatives markets – Risk Management, Speculation, and Investment Portfolio Diversification – in a way that hedge fund traders, consultants, and energy market participants can apply in their day to day trading activities.

• Moving from the fundamentals of energy markets through simple and complex derivatives trading, hedging strategies, and industry-specific case studies, Dr. Mack walks readers through energy trading and risk management concepts at an instructive pace, supporting her explanations with real-world examples, illustrations, charts, and precise definitions of important and often-misunderstood terms.
• From stochastic pricing models for exotic derivatives, to modern portfolio theory (MPT), energy portfolio management (EPM), to case studies dealing specifically with risk management challenges unique to wind and hydro-electric power, the bookguides readers through the complex world of energy trading and risk management to help investors, executives, and energy professionals ensure profitability and optimal risk mitigation in every market climate.

Energy Trading and Risk Management is a great resource to help grapple with the very interesting but oftentimes complex issues that arise in energy trading and risk management.

Buy the Book:   Amazon  ~  Barnes and Noble  

Author's Bio:

Iris Marie Mack, PhD, EMBA, earned a doctorate in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University. She was also awarded a Sloan Fellowship Executive MBA from the London Business School. Dr. Mack worked at various energy and financial institutions, acted as a faculty member at MIT, and worked at NASA and ATT Bell Labs – where she obtained a patent for research on optical fibers.

Dr. Mack currently lectures on Energy Trading and Risk Management for the Fitch Learning Certificate in Quantitative Finance Program on Wall Street and at Tulane University. Because of Dr. Mack's extensive knowledge of the derivatives, energy trading, and investment banking world, she has been invited to write opinion columns for the UK edition of the International Business Times.

Dr. Mack has also been named one of Glamour Magazine’s Top 10 Working Women, and she is no novice writer. This publishing will be her third financially-focused and published book – including her energy trading book published with Wiley Finance and a financial literacy book for teens and adults. With this breadth of experience and sheer intellectual prowess, Dr. Mack is more than able to help readers reach the financial stability they deserve.

In addition, Dr. Mack founded The Global Energy Post and MathQED - a homework help site for K-12 and college students. Previously known as Phat Math, this service has even been named one of the Top 50 Social Sites for Educators and Academics, 25 Savvy Social Media Sites for Grad Students and 25 Useful Networking Sites for Grad Students. Such accolades illustrate Dr. Mack’s ability to clearly inform the masses.

Connect with the Author:  Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Giveaway:​

Win a $25 Amazon gift card (open int'l - one winner)

Ends April 22

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Andi Under the Big Top ~ Review

Andi Under the Big Top
Circle C Stepping Stones #2
By Susan K. Marlow

Andrea "Andi" Carter is all excited - the circus is coming to town and the entire Carter family is going to see it. The circus is excitement and Andi is sure living this life is as exciting as watching it.

But everything isn't as it appears as Andi soon finds out when she meets Henry Jackson. Henry ran away from home and is now trapped in a life of hard work and abuse. Can Andi find a way to help him before the circus moves on? Or will Henry's foolish decision take him even further from home?

But Andi isn't about to let someone in need stay in that situation. And she'll get her family involved if she has to.

This is the second book in the Circle C Stepping Stones series and it is geared towards younger readers who are just starting out in chapter books. Before the reader starts the story there are a couple pages of new words that the reader may be unfamiliar with along with a brief description. After the story ends a brief historical summary about circuses is given.

This book is 105 pages making it a good fit for a historical fiction book report. There are 6 illustrations throughout the book that add a little something to the reading experience. Perfect for the home or school library and a fun addition to history class.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:
The summer after Andi Carter turns nine the circus comes to town. She can't wait to get in line to see the elephants, acrobats, and--most of all--the champion bareback rider. What could be more thrilling than riding your very own horse under the big top?

When the Carters see the show, Andi meets Henry Jackson, a small boy selling concessions. Andi thinks his job must be perfect, hanging out with happy clowns, exotic animals, and excited visitors. But it's not all fun and games. Henry shares a secret with Andi: he ran away from home to join the circus--and now he's trapped. Andi wants to help him get free. But helping him may mean losing something very special to her.

Andi Saddles Up ~ Review

Andi Saddles Up
Circle C Stepping Stones #1
By Susan K. Marlow

Andrea "Andi" Carter is turning 9 years old and her filly Taffy is turning 3! Andi is beside herself anticipating the riding she'll finally get to do with Taffy. And her number 1 hoped for birthday gift is her very own saddle.  And Andi has big plans - including trick riding on Taffy.

Unfortunately, (as anyone who has read any of the other series featuring Andi Carter knows) her brother Chad forbids her attempting any such tricks on Taffy or any horse. But meeting a new girl just about her age takes Andi's mind off her disappointment. Sadie is the perfect new friend and she's willing to share her secret to catching fish with Andi.

But just when everything seems perfect it all starts to fall apart because of a land dispute between Chad and Sadie's pa - Vince Hollister. Will a fight between grown-ups destroy Andi's friendship?

This is the first book in the Circle C Stepping Stones series and it is geared towards younger readers who are just starting out in chapter books. Before the reader starts the story there are a couple pages of new words that the reader may be unfamiliar with along with a brief description. After the story ends a brief historical summary about sheep and cattle wars is given.

This book is 104 pages and would be a good fit for a historical fiction book report. There are 6 illustrations throughout the book that add a little something to the reading experience. Perfect for the home or school library and a fun addition to history class.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:
Andi Carter has just turned nine. She and her palomino, Taffy, are old enough to be a real horse-and-rider pair at last! With a beautiful new saddle, Andi's sure she is ready to learn to trick ride like her friend Riley used to do before he left the ranch.

Sadly, big brother Chad knocks down any trick-riding plans, but Andi cheers up when she discovers a new friend at her special spot. Her fun with Sadie is soon threatened, though. They are caught in the middle of a boundary quarrel between the two families. Both Sadie's pa and Chad are stubborn as mules and neither will back down.

Can Andi and Sadie hang on to their friendship while the adults are fighting?