Love in a Time of Hate ~ Review

Love in a Time of Hate
By Hanna Schott
Translated by John D. Roth

The Story of Magda and André Trocmé

and the Village That Said No

to the Nazis

Love in a Time of Hate is a lovely and moving story in a time when fear and self-preservation were the reigning thought patterns or so it seemed. This is a story that proves this was not true throughout Nazi-occupied France.

The Prologue opens in 1940 with Magda opening the door when the doorbell rang - this scene brought to mind the picture of Jesus standing at the door knocking.  And this scene is but a fleeting glimpse of the work that the Trocmé's did that was a living example of  "...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 21:40)

This book is broken into parts that share the life story of Magda and André during their childhoods and the familial influences that shaped them into the people that they became. Into people who would take a stand to do what was right at the risk of their own lives and freedom. Into people who tried to live life in such a way so as to not be in conflict with the message that they had to share - a message of love to all during a time of hate and prejudice. To turn the other cheek was not just a statement to speak but a way of life in their commitment to live the peace that Jesus exemplified with His own life. 

Love in a Time of Hate should be an example all should take to heart in this time in our own history, which is becoming equally turbulent and hateful. The historical aspects of this book recommend it in and of themselves. But the human equation adds a depth that many history books lack. This would be a welcome addition to any library and be an excellent choice for a book report.

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

About the Book:

One young couple.

One small village.

Thousands of Jews on the run from the Nazis.

Love in a Time of Hate tells the gripping tale of Magda and André Trocmé, the couple that transformed a small town in the mountains of southern France into a place of safety during the Holocaust. At great risk to their own lives, the Trocmés led efforts in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon to hide more than three thousand Jewish children and adults who were fleeing the Nazis. 

In this astonishing story of courage, romance, and resistance, learn what prompted André and Magda to risk everything for the sake of strangers who showed up at their door. Building on the story told in Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed, German journalist Hanna Schott portrays a vivid story of resisting evil and sheltering refugees with striking resonance for today.

Accelerant ~ Review

Accelerant
Abiassa's Fire #2
By Ronie Kendig

Before starting off - if you have not yet read the first book in this series - stop right now and pick it up. It is imperative to understand what is going on in this book to know what came before and no summary or synopsis of Embers will accomplish that.

If you have read Embers you'll understand Prince Haegan is understandably not happy - his parents were murdered before his very eyes, his sister Kaelyria is paralyzed and near death. And even worse he was not allowed to bring justice and death upon Poired the very person responsible for this attack.

Accelerant opens with Haegen, fleeing the destruction of Zaethien by Poired, upon the back of Chima hoping to somehow save the swiftly fading life of his sister. But Chima has plans of her own and Haegen is about to embark and yet another stage of his journey as Fierian, one that will test him and expose his doubts. But can Haegen overcome his doubts and fears to become whom he was meant to be or will he succumb to the fears and allow the enemy to manipulate and control him - thwarting Abiassa's will?

Throughout this book, there seems to be a lot of anger by many of the key players which I think is a contributing factor in their general unhappiness at the current situations. Many are willing to point out the duties that another must fulfill all the while grumbling at their own. This actually frustrates many truths that could be gathered because this self-focus prevents a key skill - listening.

There are also many important facts that have been lost to the Nine Kingdoms - facts that deal directly with their Histories and which we are only given a glimpse of that may have an important bearing on the final outcome.

And don't expect a conclusion with this book as this series is slated for 3 and what an ending - it will leave you wondering what will happen next. And a word of warning ~ keep a bookmark at the character guide you'll need it to keep this abundance of characters straight in your mind as you read.

About the Book:

He'll destroy the world. 

But first he has to save it.

The Nine Kingdoms bleed. Leaderless, ravaged, the land awaits deliverance from Poired Dyrth's devastating campaign. But what if one blight can only be cleansed by another?

The promised Fierian is known by many names. Judge. Destroyer. Scourge. And now one other: Haegan, Prince of Seultrie. Once a cripple, now a gifted Accelerant, Haegan can no longer run from the truth. But neither can he be reconciled to it. He knows only one thing for certain: as the only able-bodied heir to the Fire Throne, he must return to the Nine and fight for his people.

But there are insidious forces at work. When reality itself falls into question, Haegan struggles to know where to fight, who to trust. Caught between duty to his country and duty to the world, Haegan must see clearly enough to choose the right path to save his devastated world.

Over Maya Dead Body ~ Review

Over Maya Dead Body
A Serena Jones Mystery #3
By Sandra Orchard

Serena Jones is going to just enjoy a little downtime with her family on Martha's Vineyard while celebrating the engagement of an old family friend. But things quickly take a downward turn when their plans are disrupted by a death. Serena being who she is suspicious and with Aunt Martha along she has a ready assistant to help her investigate her concerns.

But all too soon Serena's investigation takes a dangerous turn when someone seems to be targeting her and her unofficial investigation. Before she knows it Nate Butler (her always present building supervisor) and Tanner Calhoun (her mentor and fellow agent) are in Martha's Vineyard offering their assistance and confusing Serena with their attention.

Over Maya Dead Body is a great follow-up to two previous books A Fool and His Monet and Another Day Another Dali. Serena is just as clueless this time as to the marked attention of both Tanner and Nate as she has been before. But this time Nate and Tanner seem determined that Serena be aware of it, but there is a crime to solve if only she can figure out exactly what it is. But whenever she does figure out if it is a murder, antiquities smuggling, or drug running she has a range of potential suspects to choose from.

And more than a case is on the line as once again Serena faces a life-or-death situation, this time her heart is on the line as well. Who will Serena choose? As she says so aptly "I never kiss and tell..."

Get ready for one more case with Serena that will leave you laughing (or at least smiling) as she works with the help of those nearest and dearest to her to solve this mystery. And get prepared for a secret to be revealed that will answer some question series readers may not have realized that they even had. And if you haven't yet read the previous two books you should before opening this one - the background is necessary to fully appreciate this book.

My only complaint the book was so good I read it way too fast for the time I had to wait for it to come out after finishing book 2. And yup it is worth a reread through the entire series.

About the Book:
While vacationing on Martha's Vineyard, Serena Jones becomes entangled in a suspicious death with ties to an international antiquities smuggling ring. Will she find the killer before another person dies?

Gladden the Heart ~ Review

Gladden the Heart
Amish Turns of Time #5
By Olivia Newport

Susanna Hooley's life in Kishacoquillas Valley, Pennsylvania, 1847, is about to get a whole lot more difficult. The Amish church is curious and yet wary of the Methodist tent revival meeting going on in their midst. And Susanna is just as curious as anyone, but there are some lines not meant to be crossed and stepping into the tent is one of those lines, even if the Reverand Baxton and his daughter Patsy have been friends with many of the community's Amish for years.

Susanna has a comfortable life and she anticipates the possibility of marriage to Adam Yotter in the near future. But when a strange malady strikes Noah Kauffman, her favorite cousin, Susanna's hopes and dreams for the future are threatened when Noah's "gift of the Spirit" begins to divide friends and family.

Noah's preaching tugs at Susanna's heart but Noah seemingly has no recollection of preaching once he stops. And once he starts he is unaware of all that surrounds him, even to the point his own safety is in question. Drawn to help Noah and his wife Phoebe, Susanna soon finds herself at odds with her mother and Adam over Noah and the suitability of his gift (or curse) to the Amish way of life. Soon their very community is taking sides and the rift that is dividing them may never be repaired...

Gladden the Heart takes a peek into the past which few are familiar with, one that revolves around "sleeping preachers: and have the very differences of worship and lifestyle were the very things drawing the seeking of the Amish community to this revivalist style of preaching. This book provided an interesting look at Amish history during the time in American history during which revivals were sweeping the nation. It is interesting to see this story unfolding from the perspectives of the various characters who come at the situation from varying and unique viewpoints.

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:

When the lively fervor of nineteenth century revivalism endangers the staid customs of the Amish community in the lush but rugged Kishacoquillas Valley of central Pennsylvania in 1847, the Amish church must deal with a divisive question: What is a genuine spiritual experience?

The question turns personal when Susanna’s beloved cousin Noah begins preaching while under trances and even though he is not a minister he gives long sermons that attract increasing attention. Curious, she helps to keep Noah safe during his trances. At the same time Adam, Susanna's intended, feels pressure from the bishop to speak out against the ways of revivalism.

Susanna and Adam are pushed to opposite sides of a controversy that threatens their traditional Amish faith..  Now they must grapple with whether love is possible...even if they come to different conclusions.

The Unicorn Hunter ~ Review with Author Interview

The Unicorn Hunter
By Rachel Kirkaldie

Princess Jessalyn's betrothal is about to be the talk of the Kingdom of Sharadel, but not for the reasons she wants it to be. But a little betrothal mishap is about to be the least of her worries when she is kidnapped from the grounds of her very home.

But far more than a kidnapping of a princess is working its evil through the lands. And Jessalyn is but one pawn within the greater scheme that could topple more than one kingdom. But until she sees past her own vanities she may not be able to see the greater danger that threatens everything she has ever known.

Caught up in this web that has engulfed is Erik, a young man who has allowed himself to be shaped by life's circumstances and tricked into the role he now finds himself in. And Erik is determined to stop the trickster whom he allowed to influence him. But his quest could cost him his life.

The Unicorn Hunter will take the reader into a world where legends are coming to life and where what is known isn't what is. And Princess Jessalyn, with the help of a young knight and a thief, is about to discover that she is more than what she appears and true worth is not to be found in appearance and rank but rather what resides within.

At 183 pages this book is perfect for a weekend read. For upcoming school book reports in the fantasy/adventure genre keep this one in mind - you'll enjoy the assignment. With a cast of characters with distinct and powerful personalities you know there will be a clash or two as they work towards their goals which may or may not coincide.

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


About the Book:

"Our next scheme," he replied, shaking his head,

"we're going to kidnap the princess."

Princess Jessalyn has a perfect life all lined up for her: she is the most beautiful princess in the realm and is about to marry the soon-to-be-king of Gontir. But all her plans are shattered when she's kidnapped by a murderous unicorn hunter in a plot to destroy Gontir.Dark and mysterious things begin happening, and Jessalyn may be the only one who can save the realm. Faced with the realization that everything she once cherished is not what she thought was, Jessalyn must decide if the life she's always wanted is worth the price of her heart.

About the Author:
Rachel Kirkaldie earned a BA in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing from BYU-Idaho in 2002. While she was there, she worked as a writing assistant in the student writing center, published poetry in the school literary magazine The Outlet, and attended multiple conferences and workshops. More recently she won “Publisher’s Choice” for best Christmas story in a contest. Although a full-time mother and a part-time state employee, she still finds time to dedicate to her writing, making it the best she possibly can.

Find her online at http://www.rachelkirkaldie.com/

Author Interview:

1) What inspired your creation of Princess Jessalyn? 

I created Princess Jessalyn years ago when I was still in high school, back when all I wanted was to be beautiful and I was obsessed with all things princess. I like to think I've gained a little more depth since then, and Jessalyn has, too. 

2) Where did the "smelly fishing kingdom" come from? I've been to a few areas over the years and this description instantly took me to them. 

Sharadel came straight from my brain. It wasn't based on any specific place, at least not that I can recall. I would like to visit it, though, despite the smell of fish. 

3) Are you planning a sequel or is this a stand-alone book? 

Oh, yes, there will be a sequel! The Unicorn Hunter is part of a trilogy. The original manuscript was actually a cliffhanger, and my publisher asked me to change it so the book could stand by itself, just in case we weren't able to publish the next two books. I think the stand-alone ending is better, but I had to cut a lot out and move it to the next book. 

Good, I like series - that way I don't have to abandon a character that I really or a world that I'm just starting to explore! 

4) When you write do you have a place that you go for inspiration or do you just start writing when something comes to you? 

I used to write just when I "felt like it," those moments when I'm full of inspiration and I just have to get it out into words. But inspiration can be elusive, and I didn't want to take ten years to write one novel. So I had to push myself to write even when I wasn't feeling particularly inspired. It can be painfully hard but it gets easier over time, kind of like exercising a muscle. When I write I have to have zero distractions: no music, no TV, and definitely no kids climbing all over me. So most nights my husband would find me in our closet, typing away. :)

5) Do you have a favorite genre or author that is your go to of choice? If so what or who is it? 

I love YA fiction; when I hit the library I go straight to the Teen section. 

Excellent source for reading material by the way.  And YA fiction has some really excellent reading available.

Thanks for taking the time out your busy schedule Rachel for this short interview - I'm looking forward to what comes next for Princess Jessalyn and the Kingdoms of Sharadel and Gontir.

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow ~ Review

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow
Evaporation of Sofi Snow #1
By Mary Weber

Who wouldn't want to pick up this book simply because of the title and the cover art? But what's inside in even more intriguing. But be warned this isn't a book that can wrap it all up in a neat little package in this one book. But those who have read Mary Weber's previous series (The Storm Siren Trilogy) will know the wait will be worth it.

This book opens at some future date as Earth is caught up in the Fourth World War, a war that is about to be arrested by the arrival of an ice planet. The arrival of the Delonese ice-planet occurred during Sofi Snow's sixth year and forever altered Earth's existence thanks to their tech abilities.

Eleven years have passed since the Delonese arrived and Sofi's life is not what she wants. Her father has died. The boy she loved betrayed her. And she and her brother Shilo are part of Earth's third Fanfight Games and she is determined that this time they will win.

Fanfight Games, you ask??? A multileveled survival tournament that is a mix of the real and the virtual. In this case, Shilo is the team's competitor who takes part in the physical aspects while Sofi works behind the scenes with others to add virtual challenges and to guide Shilo in his quest of victory for their Corporation.

And, news flash, the world is no longer ruled by governments but rather corporations and there are 30 with this power. And fortunately, or not, Sofi and Shilo's mother is in control of Corp 30. Yep, seems mom is intent on exploiting her two children for Corporate glory and Sofi has a problem with this along with her mother's lack of motherly attention throughout their lives.

But in a moment of betrayal, everything threatens to come undone. An attack takes out Corp 30's team and Sofi is left reeling from the attack and the report that her brother and team are dead. But Sofi, convinced that someone is hiding the truth about Shilo turns to the one person she never hoped to see again - Miguel.

But Miguel, as Ambassador to Delonese, has the connections that Sofi needs to find the truth she seeks.  And the answers she's seeking all seemingly point to Delonese and Miguel is Sofi's only hope of getting there.

This book is fast-paced reading that takes unexpected twists and turns that will keep the pages turning and the reader intrigued.  This isn't a reworking of the Storm Siren series - the story worlds are vastly different and the characters in this world are gifted through technology rather than fantastical powers. I highly recommend this book but just a warning the main players in this story are broken people who have their own ghosts that they are trying to forget or escape (revealed throughout the story). And the conclusion is one that will absolutely stun you - so don't read ahead as you will totally ruin the ending - which I might add will leave you in riveting anticipation of book 2 (Reclaiming Shilo Snow).

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


About the Book:

For fans of Ender’s Game and Blade Runner comes a story of video gaming, blood, and power.

Ever since the Delonese ice-planet arrived eleven years ago, Sofi’s dreams have been vivid. Alien. In a system where Earth’s corporations rule in place of governments and the humanoid race orbiting the moon are allies, her only constant has been her younger brother, Shilo. As an online gamer, Sofi battles behind the scenes of Earth’s Fantasy Fighting arena where Shilo is forced to compete in a mix of real and virtual blood sport. But when a bomb takes out a quarter of the arena, Sofi’s the only one who believes Shilo survived. She has dreams of him. And she’s convinced he’s been taken to the ice-planet.

Except no one but ambassadors are allowed there.

For Miguel—Earth’s charming young playboy—the games are of a different sort. As Ambassador to the Delonese, his career has been built on trading secrets and seduction. Until the Fantasy Fight’s bomb goes off. Now the tables have turned and he’s a target for blackmail. The game is simple: Help the blackmailers, or lose more than anyone can fathom, or Earth can afford.

From the award-winning author of the Storm Siren Trilogy, step into a diverse cast of characters spanning from the electric metropolises of earth to the chilling alien planet above, in a story of re-finding yourself in the midst of losing the one thing you love. Before it all evaporates.

NIV Kids Visual Study Bible ~ Review

NIV Kids' Visual Study Bible
Published by Zondervan

Explore the Story of the Bible

People, Places, and History

One can never be too young to start studying the Bible and this new Visual Study edition is for kids helping them to explore and understand God's Word. The first thing to make note of this Bible is the New International Version (NIV). Second, even though it is a kids Bible it is one that anyone can use - it is complete and not abridged, nor is it a book of Bible stories.

The illustrations are throughout the Bible but not on every single page. Yes, there are over 700 images but the Bible is 1936 pages long. So the illustrations are merely a tool to enhance the study of specific passages.

Each page is lined on the outer edge by a golden yellow column in which key passages are explained for aid in understanding. At the beginning of a new chapter, this column helps point out key features - time, people, place, and a quick chapter synopsis. There are a few maps throughout the Bible along with 12 pages at the back of the Bible.

The infographics I found well placed in helping the readers to visualize more fully certain aspects - such as the differences in Job's life before and after his testing, a clock of the hours of Good Friday, and the key words found in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John.

This Bible is hardcover and the pages while delicate won't tear with normal use and as such should be an appropriate gift for a child of 7 or 8 years of age. This is a Bible that can be taken to church and Sunday school and enjoyed for daily home use. The first page is a presentation page that can be personalized by the giver. There is a royal blue ribbon to use as a marker which goes well with the cover illustration. This would make a perfect gift for either a boy or a girl.

I was provided a review copy of this Bible by the publisher through Handlebar with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.  


About the Book:

The NIV Kids' Visual Study Bible brings the Bible alive for children.The NIV Kids' Visual Study Bible, for ages 8-12, brings the Bible to life in four-color illustrated splendor. This study Bible includes a spectacular full-color interior featuring over 700 illustrations, photos, infographics, and maps on every page that visually represent key Bible information. Each page also features important facts located near the relevant verse. Intriguing facts; colorful, engaging maps; photographs; and illustrations make this a Bible they'll want to explore.

Features:
* Over 700 four-color photographs, illustrations, infographics, and maps throughout
* Full-color design
* Book introductions, including important facts and an image to orient the reader
* One-column format with side bar study notes for ease of reading
* The complete text of the New International Version (NIV) translation of the Bible
* Beautiful cover featuring glossy images