LIMELIGHT and DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL

This has been a busy, busy week for me. I'm getting new flooring in my kitchen and laundry room and my house looks like a fruit-basket upset. My refrigerator and stove are sitting in my dining room and living room, respectively, however, it's given me time to relax and read some! Hence this post and the next two books in the "I Blog For Books" cycle.

Both books are written by author Melody Carlson and run the gamit from teen angst to the fading lights on life. They each teach, however, that God can and does work in the lives of people no matter their age, that it's never too early in life or never too late to follow God and see His Will for our lives.

LIMELIGHT is the tale of fading beauty Claudette Fioré. Her suicide attempt, after the IRS seizes all her assets, forces Claudette to return to the meager Northern California town where she was born, to the house left to her by her mother and to her estranged sister. Without servants, expensive salons, shopping trips on Rodeo Drive or any of the other things of her former pampered lifestyle, Charlotte begins to see the truth of her old life and begins searching for truth, wondering if it is too late to make things right.

On the opposite end of the scale DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL is the tale of sixteen-year-old Maya Stark. Her mom will soon be released from prison, changing everything she's known. Filled with all of the problems of today's teens this well-written novel will be a blessing to teen girls. It teaches them to be strong, and to look in the right direction for answers to problems...up.

Both of these novels will make wonderful additons to our church library. More information on LIMELIGHT and DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL may be found at the Random House website.

These books were provided for review by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

LEAVING CAROLINA by Tamara Leigh

It's Monday again and time to blog about books. As I look at the calendar I've turned the page to November and sigh, wondering what happened to January through October! Seems like only yesterday I was putting away the Christmas decorations and here it is, almost time to take them out once again. Meanwhile, I'm enjoying reading some terrific books.

One of them is LEAVING CAROLINA. Let me start out by saying that RARELY do I read a book written in first person. They are generally the kind of book I pick up at the bookstore, read the first two pages and quickly set back onto the shelf. Had I done that with LEAVING CAROLINA I would have missed an entirely enjoyable and, at times, hilarious read. I'd hazard a guess, with the way the book ended, that Tamara Leigh is writing a series of books set in Pickwick, North Carolina and featuring the very unusual Pickwick Clan.

The Pickwick family has been known for four generations of miscreants, ner-d0-wellers, and down-right misfit relatives. Piper Wick is forced to return to her hometown to prevent her Uncle Obe from changing his will and airing all the family dirty laundry in public, including her own youthful indiscretion, which would ruin her chances of marrying the man of her dreams, Congressman Grant Spangler.

Upon her arrival Piper is forced to deal with a long-lost godson, her cousins, and her uncle's dotty attorney, all the while trying not to reveal her secrets and trying to save herself from sliding back into old habits and avoiding the pull of Pickwick.

LEAVING CAROLINA also gently reminds us that forgiveness is a gift from God and that truth matters above all. All in all this is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

More information on LEAVING CAROLINA can be found at the RANDOM HOUSE website. LEAVING CAROLINA is available at local booksellers as well as most online booksellers.

This book was provided for review by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Quiet Tuesday

Why is it quiet, you may ask. Because I've run so much these last couple of weeks I've hit a brick wall and am exhausted. I overdid Sunday evening at our church's Harvest Festival and my knees feel like there are broken glass inside them. It's time to take a day and relax, rest, and recoup a little.
I'm also starting to feel a little bit closed in. Maybe "hemmed in" is a better term. I feel like my boundaries are getting tighter as the holiday season begins to draw closer and as my list of things to do gets only larger. I look at my calendar and there's hardly a truly free day anywhere in sight. I haven't even had time to truly blog lately, only post the reviews for the books I've been reading. I can't believe we've only been home from vacation a month, it feels like a year has gone by since we left. That tells me I've been doing too much.
I declare that today: Tuesday, October 27, is a mental health day. Everybody enjoy it!!

SHADOW GOVERNMENT and WISDOM HUNTER

SHADOW GOVERNMENT

In 1949 George Orwell wrote the novel 1984. The ideas seemed far fetched, like science-fiction. The idea that "Big Brother" would be watching. Grant R. Jeffrey, one of the foremost authors on prophecy, proves that Big Brother is not only watching but has paved the way for the prophecies of Revelation.

Security cameras, surveillance of private financial transactions, radio frequency spy chips hidden in consumer products, eavesdropping on e-mail correspondence and phone calls, and Internet tracking. No one is protected, and privacy is a thing of the past.
An ultra-secret global elite, functioning as a very real shadow government, controls technology, finance, international law, world trade, political power, and vast military capabilities. These unnamed, unrivaled leaders answer to no earthly authority, and they won’t stop until they control the world.

If you enjoy eschatology then SHADOW GOVERNMENT will be right up your alley.

WISDOM HUNTER

I got behind this week, it was a VERY busy week and I'm ashamed to say I did not get to read WISDOM HUNTER. It looks like an excellent book and I will put it aside to read later.

Here's the synopsis:

Pastor Jason Faircloth knows what he believes. His clear faith, in fact, is why he is one of the most prominent pastors in Atlanta. He relies on it to discipline his daughter, his wife, his church. He prays daily that others would come to see God’s ways as he does.
And it is about to cost him everything.
Groping for answers in the face of tragedy, Jason begins a search for the only family he has left: the granddaughter kept hidden from him. Soon he finds himself on an international adventure that will take him straight into the depths of his soul. He is determined not to fail again.
A fast-paced suspense novel rich in spiritual depth, Wisdom Hunter explores what it means to break free of Christian legalism—and discover why grace can mean the difference between life and death.

Information on both books can be found at the Random House website

SHADOW GOVERNMENT

WISDOM HUNTER

These are two books I think anyone who enjoys action, fast-paced adventure, or reading of events yet to come would really enjoy.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

KISS ME AGAIN: Restoring Lost Intimacy in Marriage

Another book for the blog tour. I must admit I am not always a big fan of non-fiction and when I responded to the inquiry I didn't realize KISS ME AGAIN was yet another self-help book. I generally look at those with a large dose of skepticism. I was genuinely surprised after only reading the Introduction! KISS ME AGAIN is a book every married woman should read.

Barbara Wilson takes a seldom trodden path. Most books on marital problems for women look at the "what's wrong with my husband" view. Instead KISS ME AGAIN causes women to take a good, hard look at their own past lives and discover the root of the problems with the intimacy in their marriage. The author covers all avenues and gently guides readers into the truths offered in God's Word.

KISS ME AGAIN included exercises to be completed as well as a 10-week study guide that can be used with your spouse or in a group setting. To learn more about KISS ME AGAIN visit RANDOM HOUSE . KISS ME AGAIN is available at most local book stores and online booksellers.

GIVEAWAY!!! Multnomah has provided an extra copy of KISS ME AGAIN. To receive this copy free, leave a comment on my blog and I will draw a name on Friday October 23rd. The winner will receive KISS ME AGAIN by mail.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

THE SOUND OF SLEIGH BELLS

Week two of the publishers blog tour and this week's offering from Multnomah Books is Cindy Woodsmall's latest Amish book THE SOUND OF SLEIGH BELLS. This 194-page offering is the perfect size for gift giving and definitely falls into the category of holiday reading.

Elizabeth Hertzler has a secret. One that keeps her from even considering marriage. Until she discovers the work of Jonah Kinsinger and they begin a correspondence which touches her heart. When she discovers Jonah's true identity Beth doesn't think she can trust, or love, but Jonah's persistence teaches Beth that true love always finds a way.

Well-written and easily read, THE SOUND OF SLEIGH BELLS provides a perfect afternoon's reading. Based upon the enjoyment I received by this book I have already purchased three other books by this author for my own library. Available at RANDOM HOUSE or your local bookseller. For more information on author Cindy Woodsmall and her other available titles, visit her website.

Disclaimer: This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

EXTRAORDINARY by John Bevere

Over the next few weeks you'll see posts on books I am reading as I participate in a publishers Blogging Tour. Hopefully this will introduce you to books and authors you may not have noticed, or intrigue you enough that you will pick up a book you wouldn't have normally been drawn to read.

The first book I received to read was EXTRAORDINARY by author John Bevere. It is well written and easy to read, and for some, will introduce a new concept...God doesn't want us to have separations in our lives....spiritual and normal. We need to examine our lives and find that dividing line, then erase it. We should examine our daily habits and decide whether or not they are pleasing unto our Heavenly Father. God wants us to live wonderful, happy, extraordinary lives, that's His plan for us as His children. God doesn't want us to live one life while sitting in church and an entirely different life the other six days of the week.

The only downside of EXTRAORDINARY, is a personal one. I did not care for the useages of different Bible translations. I felt like the author was choosing different versions to make the verses say what he wanted them to say.

All in all, EXTRAORDINARY was a good read and one I would recommend. EXTRAORDINARY is available beginning tomorrow, October 6th, 2009 at your local bookseller. It's also available at most online booksellers and also available for Kindle readers.