Monday, December 21, 2015
CENTRALIA by MIKE DELLOSSO
This story will grab you from the beginning on a roller coaster ride that doesn't stop till the end. For some reason Peter Ryan has lost his wife and daughter. He can't understand what has happened to them. Friends and family try him repeatedly to tell him that they died, but he does not believe them. Where did his family disappear, to he wonders. Are they really dead or is something more going on that may endanger him?
The story is a knockout mystery that will keep you barely hanging on to your seat as the story is a bumpy ride into the secrets of a missing wife and daughter. But is that all to the story? Is there an underlying secret thst Peter doesn't know about? When Peter's house is broken into, his survival skills kick in and it is him against the world. The characters are well developed and hold your attention as you weave your way through a series of twists and turns. Just when you think you have the story figured out, the author slams you with a very intense turn that takes the story in another direction. I hope you are prepared to stay up late as you start this explosive , intriguing book. It is not a book that can be put down until the author delivers the exciting ending that keeps you wanting more. I will look forward to more books from this genius storyteller of intrigue and heart pounding action .
I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review
The story is a knockout mystery that will keep you barely hanging on to your seat as the story is a bumpy ride into the secrets of a missing wife and daughter. But is that all to the story? Is there an underlying secret thst Peter doesn't know about? When Peter's house is broken into, his survival skills kick in and it is him against the world. The characters are well developed and hold your attention as you weave your way through a series of twists and turns. Just when you think you have the story figured out, the author slams you with a very intense turn that takes the story in another direction. I hope you are prepared to stay up late as you start this explosive , intriguing book. It is not a book that can be put down until the author delivers the exciting ending that keeps you wanting more. I will look forward to more books from this genius storyteller of intrigue and heart pounding action .
I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review
CHRISTMAS STAR SAPPHIRE by HALEE BRIDGEMAN
This is a nice quick read packed with a wonderful story about wealth, unforgiveness and letting go of your past. Some of us think that being wealthy is the most important thing in finding happiness. We believe with money, we will be happier, have lots of friends and live an easy care free life. The book is written with depth as it explores the different ways the characters handle being wealthy.
In this book, the author tells a story about Joe who is a very dedicated man of faith. He ministers to college students and is content with his life. He starts to fall for a young woman named Madeline. As they start to grow closer, Joe decides he can't be in a relationship with her. He has found out that her family is extremely wealthy and it bothers him. He is afraid to let someone in, to trust someone , to love them. Will Joe let go and trust God? Can Joe follow God for direction in his life , or turn away and stay alone forever ? What reaction will Madeline have when Joe tells her about his painful past? Will a tragedy during the holidays bring Joe close to his father again? Can he forgive his father for the painful childhood he endured?
Don't miss this great intriguing story of redemption, letting go of the past and learning to trust God . I really enjoyed the way the author focused on the struggles that being wealthy can cause. We don't realize how "the love of money " can destroy relationships until it is to late. The author has done an amazing job of showing readers how unforgiveness can lead to mistrust, loneliness and bitterness. I loved the realism between Joe and his estranged father. The past is sometimes painful, but it can be a lesson to learn to trust God and know He never gives us more than we can handle.
"In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6
I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.
In this book, the author tells a story about Joe who is a very dedicated man of faith. He ministers to college students and is content with his life. He starts to fall for a young woman named Madeline. As they start to grow closer, Joe decides he can't be in a relationship with her. He has found out that her family is extremely wealthy and it bothers him. He is afraid to let someone in, to trust someone , to love them. Will Joe let go and trust God? Can Joe follow God for direction in his life , or turn away and stay alone forever ? What reaction will Madeline have when Joe tells her about his painful past? Will a tragedy during the holidays bring Joe close to his father again? Can he forgive his father for the painful childhood he endured?
Don't miss this great intriguing story of redemption, letting go of the past and learning to trust God . I really enjoyed the way the author focused on the struggles that being wealthy can cause. We don't realize how "the love of money " can destroy relationships until it is to late. The author has done an amazing job of showing readers how unforgiveness can lead to mistrust, loneliness and bitterness. I loved the realism between Joe and his estranged father. The past is sometimes painful, but it can be a lesson to learn to trust God and know He never gives us more than we can handle.
"In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6
I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.
Sunday, December 20, 2015
THE SUPER MOM MYTH by BECKY KOPITZKE
I remember the moment I found out I was pregnant. I was ready to take on the world and be the world's best mom who could handle it all. What a dream I was living in. The minute we had that little bundle all to ourselves, my hands started to sweat as I realized I didn't know what I was doing. I wish I had been able to read "The Super Mom Myth" and realized I was going to be ok.
The book is chalked full of helpful insights to help moms everywhere get through the day and feel good about theirselves. I definitely could relate to "The Grouch on the Couch." I seemed to be forever in a bad mood. After all, I felt like I had to do everything in order to be the best mom in the world. There was no way I was going to fail and give in to the thoughts of "You can't do this. You are a terrible mom."
As you read each chapter, there are scriptures and wisdom that transpire across the pages as the author shares her struggles and triumphs of motherhood. I loved reading her different illustrations with her children that really opened my eyes to many things I could relate to. How many of us have screamed because our child lost something or didn't do a chore.p? Out job is to train them up, pray for them and guide them in the right direction. We also need to support them and encourage them and above all love them unconditionally .
One of the things I though was so powerful in this book was to learn to apologize to our children. "When we apologize and ask our kids for forgiveness, it teaches them that we are not perfect, nor do we expect them to be."
I loved how she has designed the book into eight different topics. It makes an easy tool to go directly to what topic you are struggling with and read that chapter. It has questions at the end of the book that is perfect for a bible study to do with others or for an individual to use .
We are not perfect but we can be great moms by praying, encouraging and keeping the Word alive in our hearts. I hope as you read this book, you find nuggets of truths that will set you free from the myth that we have to be "a super mom."
I received this book from Barbour Publushing for an honest review.
The book is chalked full of helpful insights to help moms everywhere get through the day and feel good about theirselves. I definitely could relate to "The Grouch on the Couch." I seemed to be forever in a bad mood. After all, I felt like I had to do everything in order to be the best mom in the world. There was no way I was going to fail and give in to the thoughts of "You can't do this. You are a terrible mom."
As you read each chapter, there are scriptures and wisdom that transpire across the pages as the author shares her struggles and triumphs of motherhood. I loved reading her different illustrations with her children that really opened my eyes to many things I could relate to. How many of us have screamed because our child lost something or didn't do a chore.p? Out job is to train them up, pray for them and guide them in the right direction. We also need to support them and encourage them and above all love them unconditionally .
One of the things I though was so powerful in this book was to learn to apologize to our children. "When we apologize and ask our kids for forgiveness, it teaches them that we are not perfect, nor do we expect them to be."
I loved how she has designed the book into eight different topics. It makes an easy tool to go directly to what topic you are struggling with and read that chapter. It has questions at the end of the book that is perfect for a bible study to do with others or for an individual to use .
We are not perfect but we can be great moms by praying, encouraging and keeping the Word alive in our hearts. I hope as you read this book, you find nuggets of truths that will set you free from the myth that we have to be "a super mom."
I received this book from Barbour Publushing for an honest review.
Lone Star Literary Life Blog Tours
presents
HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN
a novel
by
James Lee Burke
Title: HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN
Author: James Lee Burke
Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
# of pages: 448
Order today from
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iBooks
New York Times bestseller James Lee Burke returns with his latest masterpiece, the story of a father and son separated by war and circumstance—and whose encounter with the legendary Holy Grail will change their lives forever.
From its opening scene in revolutionary Mexico to the Battle of the Marne in 1918, and on to the bordellos and saloons of San Antonio during the reign of the Hole in the Wall Gang, House of the Rising Sun is an epic tale of love, loss, betrayal, vengeance, and retribution that follows Texas Ranger Hackberry Holland on his journey to reunite with his estranged son, Ishmael, a captain in the United States Army.
After a violent encounter that leaves four Mexican soldiers dead, Hackberry escapes the country in possession of a stolen artifact, earning the ire of a bloodthirsty Austrian arms dealer who then places Hack’s son Ishmael squarely in the cross hairs of a plot to recapture his prize, believed to be the mythic cup of Christ.
Along the way, we meet three extraordinary women: Ruby Dansen, the Danish immigrant who is Ishmael’s mother and Hackberry’s one true love; Beatrice DeMolay, a brothel madam descended from the crusader knight who brought the shroud of Turin back from the Holy Land; and Maggie Bassett, one-time lover of the Sundance Kid, whose wiles rival those of Lady Macbeth. In her own way, each woman will aid Hackberry in his quest to reconcile with Ishmael, to vanquish their enemies, and to return the Grail to its rightful place.
House of the Rising Sun is James Lee Burke’s finest novel to date, and a thrilling entry into the Holland family saga that continued most recently with Wayfaring Stranger, which The New York Times Book Review described as “saturated with the romance of the past while mournfully attuned to the unholy menace of the present.”
Praise for the author
“The heavyweight champ, a great American novelist.” —Michael Connelly
A classic saga of the American West from James Lee Burke
House of the Rising Sun
One of America’s most acclaimed and versatile novelists returns with a harrowing, historical epic featuring Texas Ranger Hackberry Holland. Starting in revolutionary Mexico circa 1918 and winding through seedy, gang-controlled San Antonio, Holland fights his way back to his Army captain son while protecting one of history’s most fabled artifacts.
“A gorgeous prose stylist.” —Stephen King
“The reigning champ of nostalgia noir.” —The New York Times Book Review
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It has been awhile since I have read a really good story that is chocked full of strong characters. House of the Rising Sun has so many great characters , that I liked them all. The author wrote them with such depth that they came alive on the pages. That's when I knew I was in for an adventure that would grab me from the beginning and take off at full speed with twists and turns.
A former Texas Ranger named Hackberry Holland is on a mission to find his missing son. It seems to stumble on roadblocks as he hunts for Ismael, his son. Could it be that Ismael being a captain in the U.S. Army may have caused someone to kidnap him? Hackberry suspects that the Mexican soldiers may know something about his missing son. After Hackberry kills several Mexican soldiers, he decides to steal a very important artifact . This artifact belongs to a ruthless arms dealer named Arnold Beckman. That probably was not one of Hackberry's greatest decisions. Has Hackberry just signed his own death warrant? Will his son play a part in the stolen artifact that puts him in danger?
I liked Hackberry because he has flaws that sometimes makes his decisions seem harsh or lack judgment. He has a tendency to like the liquor a bit to much and has knee jerk reactions to things. He acts impulsively without thinking which causes some friction with others in the story. I think of him as a hot head at times, which causes him to be violent .
House of The Rising Sun has action, tension, intrigue and a cast of characters you won't soon forget. It's a great story with many intense scenes and keeps you glued to the pages. The story is easy to follow and gives you a feel of the old west. This book will be liked by those looking for a great action packed good guys vs bad guys theme that will fight it out in an epic battle by superb writing and flawless scenes that jump off the pages.
I received a copy of this book from The Lone Star Lit Life Book Tour for an honest review.
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