Monday, April 11, 2016
IF I RUN by TERRI BLACKSTOCK
What would you do if you were accused of a crime that you knew you didn't commit? Would you run as fast as you could, or stay and hope for the best? If you are looking for a fast paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, grab a copy of this book. It has everything in it to keep readers up late finishing a story so gripping that you find your heart beating a little faster as you turn each page. The main character, Casey suffers from a traumatic event that happened when she was only 12. She never quite got over it and suffers from PTSD. She is a fiercely competent woman who never backs down. I love her determination and strength. The author has written characters that make you want to scream at them or reach a hand out to help them.
The story really picks up steam when Casey is accused of a heinous crime. She runs without thinking of the consequences. She must prove her innocence at all cost while also trying to prove corruption in the police department. Casey can't trust anyone and the author gives us a story that is torn from the front page of everyday America .
The other main character in the book , Dylan is a true hero in my eyes. He is assigned a case that will have him looking over his shoulders to see who the bad guys really are. Dylan also is dealing with PTSD and has to deal with it throughout the story. Dylan is strong willed and his faith never wavers as he has to face the past that haunts him sometimes. I hope you are ready for a roller coaster ride as you read this book. The author has clearly written twists and turns that have you clinging to your chair as you ride through an adventure that is mystery at its top level. The ending is a cliffhanger so fans of Terri Blackstock will be eagerly anticipating the next installment in this series.
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild for an honest review.
The story really picks up steam when Casey is accused of a heinous crime. She runs without thinking of the consequences. She must prove her innocence at all cost while also trying to prove corruption in the police department. Casey can't trust anyone and the author gives us a story that is torn from the front page of everyday America .
The other main character in the book , Dylan is a true hero in my eyes. He is assigned a case that will have him looking over his shoulders to see who the bad guys really are. Dylan also is dealing with PTSD and has to deal with it throughout the story. Dylan is strong willed and his faith never wavers as he has to face the past that haunts him sometimes. I hope you are ready for a roller coaster ride as you read this book. The author has clearly written twists and turns that have you clinging to your chair as you ride through an adventure that is mystery at its top level. The ending is a cliffhanger so fans of Terri Blackstock will be eagerly anticipating the next installment in this series.
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild for an honest review.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
RELEASING SPIRITUAL GIFTS TODAY by JAMES W. GOLL
To understand spiritual gifts we must understand that they are not something you use when you are bored. They are to be used in our daily walk. God gives us these gifts to help others, and to work together as a body of Christ.I like how the author explains that we need to being seeking what gifts He has for us. It is important that the body of Christ use these gifts to operate together .
This is a very in depth study of the Gifts of The Holy Spirit and he does a great job of explaining them in layman's terms. He tells us to take risks and not just sit in a pew waiting for the perfect time to use your gifts. Do we sometimes worry what others might say if we start operating in our gifts? God doesn't want us to be fearful, He wants us to go out and spread His word. The book is a great tool to use for those who are just starting to operate in their gifts. It can also be used for those who are looking for more meaning and a richer understanding of The Holy Spirit. I liked how he broke the book down into sections and guided us through what each gift means and how to operate in them. Not all of us will have received the same gifts like teaching or discernment , but they are to be used together as one body. He raised a great question later in the book that I thought was so much needed an answer. There is not one gift more important than another one. "But the best gift is always going to be the one that is needed at the moment."
I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.
This is a very in depth study of the Gifts of The Holy Spirit and he does a great job of explaining them in layman's terms. He tells us to take risks and not just sit in a pew waiting for the perfect time to use your gifts. Do we sometimes worry what others might say if we start operating in our gifts? God doesn't want us to be fearful, He wants us to go out and spread His word. The book is a great tool to use for those who are just starting to operate in their gifts. It can also be used for those who are looking for more meaning and a richer understanding of The Holy Spirit. I liked how he broke the book down into sections and guided us through what each gift means and how to operate in them. Not all of us will have received the same gifts like teaching or discernment , but they are to be used together as one body. He raised a great question later in the book that I thought was so much needed an answer. There is not one gift more important than another one. "But the best gift is always going to be the one that is needed at the moment."
I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.
UNANSWERED : LASTING TRUTH FOR TRENDING QUESTIONS by JEREMIAH J. JOHNSTON
When you ask a question don't you expect an answer? The problem with unanswered questions that we have about faith, God or Christianity is if we don't get an answer , we may decide it was not important . For some it may be that we start to believe false statements and our journey may take a different direction. I loved the authors' candor as he tackled tough questions. When we ask a question to God and don't receive an answer, we think He is not listening or maybe ignoring us. Of course that is not true but in the book he talks about God being silent in our lives for a reason. "God's silence is personal because it can be the agent of our transformation."
I was so enthralled with the statement of "memorial stones" in our lives. We all need to be reminded of times when He was there to help us through a hard time . Do we remember what He did for us? It's nice to remember those times and thank him for protecting us and perhaps growing our faith during those trials. I always remember people saying when you are in trouble , they don't hesitate to call out to Him. We also need to call out to Him and thank Him everyday for all He has done for us.
The chapter on mental illness and suicide was one of the best, most accurate accounts of this national epidemic. How many of us are guilty of letting the "beast' out when someone comes to us with a problem? We go into scripture quoting mode and make the person feel ashamed. The bottom line is people don't want to be lectured, they want to be loved and accepted. He goes on to say that no where in the bible does it say if you commit suicide that you are going to hell. What a bold statement. I have always been told the complete opposite. This doesn't mean He condones suicide, in fact it is "a poor testimony ."
There are so many great nuggets of revelation in this book that I feel like shouting from the rooftops. I'm thankful that I was able to read this book with clear eyes and an open heart. I encourage everyone looking for answers to take this book, study it and let the truth set you free. "Christians are not perfect, just forgiven ."
I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.
I was so enthralled with the statement of "memorial stones" in our lives. We all need to be reminded of times when He was there to help us through a hard time . Do we remember what He did for us? It's nice to remember those times and thank him for protecting us and perhaps growing our faith during those trials. I always remember people saying when you are in trouble , they don't hesitate to call out to Him. We also need to call out to Him and thank Him everyday for all He has done for us.
The chapter on mental illness and suicide was one of the best, most accurate accounts of this national epidemic. How many of us are guilty of letting the "beast' out when someone comes to us with a problem? We go into scripture quoting mode and make the person feel ashamed. The bottom line is people don't want to be lectured, they want to be loved and accepted. He goes on to say that no where in the bible does it say if you commit suicide that you are going to hell. What a bold statement. I have always been told the complete opposite. This doesn't mean He condones suicide, in fact it is "a poor testimony ."
There are so many great nuggets of revelation in this book that I feel like shouting from the rooftops. I'm thankful that I was able to read this book with clear eyes and an open heart. I encourage everyone looking for answers to take this book, study it and let the truth set you free. "Christians are not perfect, just forgiven ."
I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.
Friday, April 8, 2016
AN Unhappy Medium -Blog Tour Cozy Mystery Review + Giveaway
An Unhappy Medium
by Dawn Eastman
I enjoyed the character of Clyde’s Aunt Vi who provides zombie makeup, meddling, and much comic relief. The best thing about An Unhappy Medium is that you will never guess whodunnit. I dare you to try!
~Sissy, Bubble Bath Books
~Sissy, Bubble Bath Books
Dawn Eastman scores again as we dive right back into the lives of the Fortune family in Crystal Haven.
~ MELISSA’S ECLECTIC BOOKSHELF
~ MELISSA’S ECLECTIC BOOKSHELF
What a fun story. I love the paranormal element.
~FUONLYKNEW
~FUONLYKNEW
An Unhappy Medium:A Family Fortune Mystery
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Publisher: Berkley (April 5, 2016)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425282809
E-Book ASIN: B011IUSQXI
Synopsis
Psychic Clyde Fortune and her zany family are back in the fourth in the national bestselling series from the author of A Fright to the Death.
Former cop and novice psychic Clyde Fortune finds herself in a race for justice when a Zombie Fun Run turns deadly…
All of Crystal Haven, Michigan, is psyching up to participate in a Zombie Fun Run organized by Clyde’s nephew Seth, but Clyde is fretful about the undead festivities. For one thing, her sister, Grace, has unexpectedly returned to town after fifteen years. For another, Clyde has the nagging feeling that something is about to go wrong…When one of the zombie runners is found murdered and then Grace disappears, Clyde realizes her grim premonition is dead-on. Now, she and her police detective boyfriend Mac must find a ghoulish murderer before someone points the finger at Grace. And when a tangled web of family secrets and old grudges combines with a mysterious case of stolen diamonds, even someone as quick-witted as Clyde might not be able to outrun a killer…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dawn Eastman lived in Michigan for many years, in a house full of animals, unusual people, and laughter. She now lives in Iowa with her family and one extremely bossy small dog. She is the national bestselling author of The Family Fortune Mystery Series
, which features psychics, animal communication, quirky characters and murders.
, which features psychics, animal communication, quirky characters and murders.
This is my first book to read by this author but I will be going back and getting all her books. She is very gifted and the story was incredible. The book is a paranormal cozy mystery and it sure kept my interest. It has a great cast of characters that make the story so enjoyable to read. The details of the town were so vivid I wanted to go there and be a part of it. The book is sure to a winner for this author as she cleverly placed creative characters like Zombies and tarot readers in the town. Did I mention the Zombies?
It's a great day in the little town as Clyde and her crew are having a Zombie Run. Of course not everyone is on board with this great idea. When something horrible happens during the run, Clyde seems to be at the forefront of the investigation. The town comes out in full force to point fingers and whisper like a group of gossips about the horrible incident. I have to mention the town meeting. It was hysterical and it made me think of a scene from the Gilmore Girls. Whenever they had a town meeting, it was like a big production complete with quirky characters and snacks. I was so sure I would figure out the mystery. I was so wrong. The author did a tremendous job of keeping readers guessing with the twists and turns. This is one book that you definitely don't want to miss.
I was given a copy of this book from Great Escapes Books Tour for an honest review.
Giveaway: Tell me what you like most about cozy mysteries. Make sure to leave your name and email in comments below. Giveaway will close on April 13, 2016 at 11:55 CST. The winner will be notified the following day. Good Luck .
Author Links
Webpage – www.DawnEastman.com
Twitter – @DawnAEastman
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DawnEastmanAuthor
Tour Participants
April 4 – Bubble Bath Books – Review, Giveaway
April 5 – Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf – Review, Giveaway
April 6 – fuonlyknew – Review, Giveaway
April 7 – I Wish I Lived in a Library – Review, Giveaway
April 8 – Texas Book-aholic – Review
April 9 – Girl Lost In a Book – Review, Giveaway
April 10 – A Holland Reads – Review, Character Interview, Giveaway
April 11 – Musings and Ramblings – Review, Giveaway
April 12 – A Chick Who Reads – Review
April 13 – The Bookwyrm’s Hoard – Review, Giveaway
April 14 – Booklady’s Booknotes – Review, Giveaway
April 15 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review, Giveaway
April 16 – Laura’s Interests – Review, Giveaway
April 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Review, Character Interview
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
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