English

11.19.2013

The Blessed Child ~ Review

The Blessed Child
By Ted Dekker and Bill Bright

Jason Marker is about to flee Ethiopia when war spreads south into the country.  But a favor to to his interpreter has Jason heading to the Ethiopian Orthodox monastery known as Debra Damarro.  But the EPFL is just minutes away and Jason has even less time to get Caleb, a young orphan and Leiah, a Red Cross nurse out of the monastery.

What happens during their escape is something that Jason and Leiah are totally unprepared for.  A soldier whom they believes has been shot and wounded or even killed sits up after Caleb examines him.  But the surprises with Caleb don't end in Ethiopia.  And neither does the danger.

But once in the US, Caleb is placed in the custody of Father Nikolous of the Holy Ascension Greek Orthodox Church in Burbank, Nikolous tries to use Caleb's gift for his own purposes - monetary gain.  But Nikolous's promotion of Caleb brings out the crowds who are seeking a show or healing.  Unfortunately someone else has been made aware of Caleb's existence after a chance encounter that should never have taken place.

Caleb is the key to a new understanding of God and His kingdom and he is the threat that could destroy a man destined for great power!  Blessed Child is classic Dekker at his best.  Originally published in 2001 Blessed Child still has a powerful message that will touch your heart.

What is chance?  What is destined by God?  Open your mind to see with your heart and walk further into the Kingdom.

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review.

Book Description

“Whoever said that a straightened hand was more dramatic than a healed heart anyway?”
A young orphaned boy was abandoned in the midst of an invasion and raised in an Ethiopian monastery. He has never seen outside its walls—at least, not the way most people see. Now he must flee those walls or die.
But the world beyond is hardly ready for a boy like Caleb.
When relief worker Jason Marker agrees to take Caleb from the monastery, he unwittingly opens humanity's doors to an incredible journey filled with political intrigue and peril. Jason and Leiah—the French-Canadian nurse who escapes the monastery with him—quickly realize Caleb's supernatural power to heal. But so do the boy's enemies, who will stop at nothing to destroy him. Jason and Leiah fight for Caleb’s survival while the world erupts in debate over the source of his power.
In the end nothing can prepare them for what they discover.

11.18.2013

Little Shepherd ~ Review and Giveaway

Little Shepherd
by Cheryl C. Malandrinos
Illustrations by Eugene E. Ruble

Five year Obed has just been entrusted with his first flock of sheep when one chilly night a bright light fills the sky.  Angels fill the night sky delivering a message about a newborn baby.

To Obed's surprise Father and the other shepherds all head to Bethlehem to see the sight the angels said they would see.  But Obed is worried about the sheep they are leaving unguarded.  What about the wolves that have been howling throughout the night.  But Father assures him that the sheep will be safe.

What they found was what the angels had told them a baby in a manger surrounded by animals and his parents.  But as the wolves continued to howl Obed couldn't understand why he alone seemed concerned for their flocks.  Did no one else hear the predators? 

When they returned, to Obed's utter amazement not a sheep or lamb was lost!  Somehow Father had known that this would be the case.  It was a part of the miracle of the night filled angels, a newborn baby and unguarded sheep.  This would be a night Obed would remember!

The Little Shepherd is the perfect book to share the joy and wonder of the season with your children or grandchildren.  Children with feel a connection with Obed as he is 5 and thus be drawn into the story from the opening.

I was provided a copy of this book in conjunction with this Pump Up Your Book blog tour in exchange for my honest review.


About the book:

Obed is in the hills outside Bethlehem when the angels appear to announce the Savior's birth.
Can he trust that the miracle of the first Christmas will keep his flock safe while he visits the
newborn King?

Excerpt:

Off in the distance, a wolf howled. Obed moved closer to his flock, scanning the hills for any
sign of a pack that might race in and steal his sheep. His family depended upon the sheep for
food and their wool for clothing. No sheep would be lost under his watch.

He shivered inside his cloak. While the days were getting warmer, the nights still chilled him. He
walked over to the large fire blazing inside the pit. He rubbed his hands together and held them
up to the fire to warm them.

Above him, the sky twinkled with millions of stars. Obed couldn’t remember a night so clear.

Suddenly, a bright light filled the sky.

Obed trembled. “Father, what is happening?”

Available at the following:


Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA2KStzoCPo

or



About the author:

Cheryl Malandrinos is a freelance writer, children’s author and editor. Her first children’s book,
Little Shepherd, was released in August 2010 by Guardian Angel Publishing. She is a member
of the SCBWI, a book reviewer, and blogger. Cheryl also writes under the name of C. C. Gevry.
Ms. Malandrinos lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two children. She also
has a son who is married.

Visit Cheryl online at http://ccmalandrinos.com and
the Little Shepherd book blog at http://littleshepherdchildrensbook.blogspot.com/.

Rafflecopter giveaway for a set of 2 Little Shepherd mugs (valid for residents of
U.S. and Canada only):

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Little Shepherd Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Nov 4
Book spotlight at The Story of a Writer
Book review at Margo Dill’s Read These Books and Use Them!

Nov 5
Book review and interview at Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews
Book trailer reveal at 4 the Love of Books

Nov 6
Guest post at I’m A Reader, Not A Writer

Nov 7
Guest post at This Little Book of Mine
Guest post and book review at Topsy Turvy Land

Nov 8
Interview at Between the Covers

Nov 11
Guest post at Marilyn’s Musings
Guest post at Authors and Appetizers

Nov 12
Book review at Janet Ann Collins On Words
Guest post at Bookingly Yours
Book review and giveaway at Mom Loves 2 Read

Nov 13
Book review at Maureen’s Musings

Nov 14
Guest post at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection

Nov 15
Guest post at Paperback Writer
Book trailer reveal at Broken Teepee

Nov 18
Book review at Blooming with Books

Nov 19
Book review at Nancy Stewart Books
Radio interview at Stories from Unknown Authors at 1 PM.

Nov 20
Guest post at 4 the Love of Books
Book trailer reveal at Thoughts in Progress

Nov 21
Guest post at Literarily Speaking

Nov 22
Book review at Cheryl’s Book Nook

Nov 23
Book review at Freda’s Voice

Nov 26
Book trailer reveal at Celtic Lady’s Reviews

Nov 27
Book review at ASC Book Reviews (ASC Photos and Designs)
Guest post Tribute Books Reviews and Giveaways

Nov 29
Book spotlight at Cheryl’s Book Nook

11.16.2013

A Confident Heart ~ Review

A Confident Heart Devotional
60 Days to Stop Doubting Yourself
By Renee Swope


Have you ever had a doubts about what you are doing and in your ability to even be a halfway decent approximation of a functioning person?  Well, A Confident Heart will help you find confidence both in yourself and in God's love and caring for you as His beloved child.

Whether you are suffering from doubts brought about by guilt, fear, or past hurts God is ready to offer you His love and His confidence. Renee offers incidents from her own life and from the lives various people from the Bible to helps gain the confidence that we need so that we might fulfill the purpose that has been given us.  Not only will we fulfill it be we will do so in a manner that will bring about a greater blessing because we are not fettering ourselves with doubts.

At the back of the book there are appendixes - first a personalty summary so that you might determine your strengths and weaknesses and thereby able to counteract some causes of your doubts.  Second is When I say, God says in which we verbalize or think doubts and God offers a truth counter to our thought process and there are Scripture references to back these truths up.

All-in-all this is well thought out book and would make an excellent gift for any and all the dear ones in your life.  I think men and women would both find truths to help them get past the periods of trouble and doubt in their lives.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Available November 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About the book:

Confident, strong, and free--it's closer than you think

We all have doubts, fears, and insecurities, even if we've convinced ourselves that other women don't share those struggles. If you're tired of feeling like you're not good enough, smart enough, or gifted enough, Renee Swope has a message for you: you already have something special to offer the world!

Expanding on her popular "When I say--God says" statements, Renee offers you a daily thought-map to help exchange your most common self-doubts for God's transforming truths. Her authentic style and soul-stirring devotions include personal stories, powerful biblical teaching, and real-life application wrapped around one of God's promises each day to help you

~ live confidently in your God-given roles, relationships, and responsibilities
~ break free from people-pleasing and performance-based living
~ trust the certainty of God's truth over your circumstances and emotions
~ take a step toward the life of faith God designed for you and let this sixty-day journey to a confident heart be your guide.

11.15.2013

Peril ~ Review

Peril
Bloodlines Trilogy #3
By Jordyn Redwood

Peril is the third offering in the Bloodlines Trilogy and it is intense.

Morgan Adams and her husband Tyler Adams are teetering on the edge after the death of their baby. But this is just one part of their problems Morgan needs a kidney due to a complication of her pregnancy and she is running out of time and the will to keep going.  But when an unknown family tie comes to light she, along with the hospital where she works, is drawn into a hostage situation.

Dr. Thomas Reeves is conducting experiments that are having unexpected side-effects on the patients. The issues seem to be only in their minds, but there is evidence beginning to surface that may prove otherwise.  But Dr. Reeves's sole focus is his own success and the potential accolades that may come his way.  Career is everything to him - friendship and family have no ties on his heart.

There are aspects in this book that are quite intriguing such as persistent memory on cells and organ donation.  Though this is technically a fiction/suspense it is a book that will make you stop and think - after you've finished reading the book, that is.  This is also a book that will touch your heart so be sure to have a tissue or two nearby.

I was provided a copy this book by Kregel in exchange for my honest review.


About the book: 
Dr. Thomas Reeves is at the pinnacle of his career. The Department of Defense has awarded him a lucrative contract for his new research into superior autobiographical memory, which promises the ability to create combat troops able to quickly learn complex battle plans and enact them perfectly under the most demanding battlefield scenarios.

An elite unit has received neural grafts from fetal cadavers of genetically altered brain cells with enhanced NMDA receptors. The results are remarkable . . . until the recipients begin suffering hallucinations, nightmares, paralysis, . . . and death. Dr. Reeves searches for answers, but DOD insiders want him to stop the search.

The situation becomes public when pediatric ICU nurse Morgan Adams, Dr. Reeves's daughter, is taken hostage by three research subjects in an attempt to force Dr. Reeves into disclosing why they are sick. If answers aren't revealed within twenty-four hours, patients in the pediatric ICU will be killed.
This spine-tingling conclusion to the Bloodline Trilogy raises spiritual and ethical dilemmas torn directly out of today's headlines. When does life begin? How far does commitment to family go? And can the sins of the father ever be forgiven? 

NOAH ~ Movie Trailer Reveal

As an added excitement for Friday I'm sharing the just released 
movie trailer for NOAH which stars Russell Crowe.

In a word WOW!
Don't believe me check it out...
Even if you do believe me check it out!


Can't wait for this to be released.
If the trailer is any indication this will be an incredible film!

Now a little bit about NOAH...

NOAHSynopsis: After visions of an apocalyptic deluge, Noah, the world’s only righteous man, is chosen to undertake a divine mission to build a massive ark to save his family and all of creation before the impending rains fall and the flood waters rise. 
Cast
: Russell Crowe, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson
Director
: Darren Aronofsky 
Trailer 

What They Don’t Teach You ~ Book Blast with Giveaway

What They Don’t Teach You in Sales School
About the Author:
Tony Rea holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Windham College and a degree in electrical engineering, specializing in computer science, from Northeastern University. He has been in high-tech sales for more than thirty years. He has worked in start-up companies and global corporations and has received numerous achievement awards. He lives with his wife, Melinda, and their two children in Massachusetts.



About the Book:
If you’re a salesperson struggling to close sales when you think you’ve done everything right, you could very well be taking missteps without knowing it. In order to help you avoid those mistakes, Tony Rea, a veteran salesperson, explains the basics of selling in this guidebook that can help you exceed expectations.


Rea offers guidance on:
• Sales fundamentals
• Effectively managing the sales environment
• Honing your perceptive skills
• Communicating to infl uence
• The mechanics of selling to close

While selling might seem straightforward, it’s really a complicated mix of politics, techniques, and psychology all mixed together. Figuring out how each one of those things works requires learning the craft and keeping at it.
This guide can be your go-to reference for advice on fi nding creative ideas, responding to objections, and making a great fi rst impression. The techniques you learn won’t just help you close more sales; they can serve to improve other areas of your life as well.


Whether you’re a newbie salesperson or high-level closer, you can start selling more by learning What They Don’t Teach You in Sales School.


Purchase your copy:


Book Spotlight:
Title: What They Don’t Teach You in Sales School
Author: Tony Rea
Publisher: iUniverse
Genre: Business/Sales
Pages: 258

Purchase at iUniverse


If you’re a salesperson struggling to close sales when you think you’ve done everything right, you could very well be taking missteps without knowing it. In order to help you avoid those mistakes, Tony Rea, a veteran salesperson, explains the basics of selling in this guidebook that can help you exceed expectations.


Rea offers guidance on:
• Sales fundamentals
• Effectively managing the sales environment
• Honing your perceptive skills
• Communicating to infl uence
• The mechanics of selling to close

While selling might seem straightforward, it’s really a complicated mix of politics, techniques, and psychology all mixed together. Figuring out how each one of those things works requires learning the craft and keeping at it.
This guide can be your go-to reference for advice on fi nding creative ideas, responding to objections, and making a great fi rst impression. The techniques you learn won’t just help you close more sales; they can serve to improve other areas of your life as well.


Whether you’re a newbie salesperson or high-level closer, you can start selling more by learning What They Don’t Teach You in Sales School.


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Becoming Alice ~ Book Blast with Giveaway

Becoming Alice
About the Author:
Alice Rene holds a master’s degree in social welfare. She lives with her husband in Southern California.


About the Book:
“Strongly recommended a deftly written memoir that will hold the reader’s rapt attention from beginning to end.”
-Midwest Book Review

“Her ability to authentically capture the bewilderment and pain of dislocation through a child’s eyes – including the disharmony in her immediate family – makes for engaging reading that will resonate with young adults everywhere.”
-Beth B. Cohen, Ph.D., author of Case Closed: Holocaust Survivors in America, 1946-1954


Six-year-old Ilse watches Nazi soldiers march down her street in Vienna, Austria. It is the beginning of an odyssey that will take her to Riga, Latvia, and finally to Portland, Oregon. Becoming Alice chronicles her Jewish family’s harrowing escape and struggle as immigrants to fit into the American landscape. The added problems of growing up within a troubled family cloud her childhood and adolescence.


Ilse changes her name to Alice. Not until she moves into a boarding house in Berkeley, surrounded by girls from a patchwork of cultures, does she make peace with her true identity. Becoming Alice brilliantly showcases Rene’s triumph over adversity, identity crisis, and the sometimes debilitating power of family ties.


Purchase your copy:


Book Spotlight :
Title: Becoming Alice
Author: Alice Rene 
Publisher: iUniverse
Genre: Memoir 
Pages: 284

Purchase at iUniverse


“Strongly recommended a deftly written memoir that will hold the reader’s rapt attention from beginning to end.”
-Midwest Book Review

“Her ability to authentically capture the bewilderment and pain of dislocation through a child’s eyes – including the disharmony in her immediate family – makes for engaging reading that will resonate with young adults everywhere.”
-Beth B. Cohen, Ph.D., author of Case Closed: Holocaust Survivors in America, 1946-1954


Six-year-old Ilse watches Nazi soldiers march down her street in Vienna, Austria. It is the beginning of an odyssey that will take her to Riga, Latvia, and finally to Portland, Oregon. Becoming Alice chronicles her Jewish family’s harrowing escape and struggle as immigrants to fit into the American landscape. The added problems of growing up within a troubled family cloud her childhood and adolescence.


Ilse changes her name to Alice. Not until she moves into a boarding house in Berkeley, surrounded by girls from a patchwork of cultures, does she make peace with her true identity. Becoming Alice brilliantly showcases Rene’s triumph over adversity, identity crisis, and the sometimes debilitating power of family ties.


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