THE GOOD BOOK BY DERON SPOO

Author: Deron Spoo

Whether you already love and read the Bible regularly or are just beginning your Christian journey, The Good Book by Deron Spoo is a must-have resource. The Good Book offers a user-friendly guide to the Bible’s biggest ideas. A chapter from the Bible accompanies each chapter of the book, which helps readers understand the context and content of the Scripture passages in a way that can open the whole Bible. It’s designed as a forty-day journey through forty key chapters of the Bible.

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{MORE ABOUT THE GOOD BOOK}

The Good Book: 40 Chapters That Reveal the Bible’s Biggest Ideas (David C. Cook, April 2017)

The Good Book offers a user-friendly guide to the Bible’s biggest ideas. 

A chapter from the Bible accompanies each chapter of the book, which helps readers understand the context and content of the Scripture passages in a way that can open the whole Bible.

Designed as a forty-day journey through forty key chapters of the Bible, The Good Book will appeal to those who already love and read the Bible regularly as well as to those who are just beginning their Christian journey.

The Good Book:
—is a great evangelism tool for explaining the major themes of Scripture to those who want to know more about God, Jesus, and the core beliefs of Christianity;
—gives new believers an overview of the Bible and lays a framework to help them understand Scripture passages;
—helps longtime Christians rediscover the basic themes of Scripture and experience these truths in a new way; and
—encourages Scriptural literacy as it pushes readers to read both one chapter of the book and one chapter of the Bible each day for forty days.

The Good Book is great for individuals, and it can also be used by small groups in an eight-week church-wide program or a forty-week journey that focuses on one Bible chapter each week. The Good Book will help people understand and live by the transformative truths of the Bible.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT DERON SPOO}

Deron Spoo is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Over the past 16 years, Spoo has guided the church as it transitions from being simply a downtown church to a regional church committed to urban ministry. Church members describe him as “down to earth” and “authentic.” His television devotionals, “First Things First,” reach 100,000 people each week. Spoo is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Paula, have three children.

Find out more about Deron at http://www.readthegoodbook.com.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I found it fascinating and it allowed me to go deeper in the word. The author explained at the beginning of the book the difference between Old and New Testament. In his reference he said "Older Testament is the faith history of the Hebrew people. The New Testament is a collection of twenty-seven books written in the Greek language by the first followers of Christ." We know that the Bible has been rewritten and interpreted many times over. So the question arises " Which is the original and true depiction of the Bible?

The book starts in Genesis where everything was pure and beautiful. It is a good picture to see that God's intention was for mankind to live in beauty and without any sickness or suffering. What changed that? We can look further in the chapter and see where things went wrong. I loved how the author breaks down scriptures and shows us what the word means. It is very in-depth and powerful. At the end of each chapter is a Reflection. It really makes you take a look at yourself and see where there are areas you need to work on in in your life.

One of my favorite chapters was Matthew 6. In the scriptures it talks about worry. That is one thing I have struggles with for a long time. God doesn't want us to worry because He has provided our needs. "Jesus commands us not to be concerned with what is around us (clothes) or what is in us (food)." We all have a tendency to worry, but I am reminded that worry doesn't change anything.

Another chapter that really stood out for me was Job. I remember this book from the Bible so well. Job suffered many losses, suffered terrible diseases yet He still trusted God. It is hard to trust when you are in the middle of a battle. We question why we are suffering and when will it stop. This chapter was so powerful to me because it reminded me once again that " great suffering produces great faith."  We need to keep our eyes focused on God and not our circumstances.

I have really enjoyed this book and it has encouraged me in many ways. Each chapter I read gave me  insight in His Word and helped me walk through some challenges I face in my life. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is thought provoking, encouraging and life changing.

I received a copy of this book from a LitFuse. The review is my own opinion.

Landing page: http://litfusegroup.com/author/DSpoo

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Dumpster Dying & Grilled, Chilled and Killed
by Lesley A. Diehl

The setting is interesting and well-drawn, the characters are a load of fun, and the story moves fast and keeps the reader turning the pages, with just the right amount of peril.
~The Ninja Librarian reviews Dumpster Dying

Lesley A. Diehl is rapidly become a favorite! She has done it again with the Big Lake Murder Mysteries featuring Emily Rhodes…
~The Journey Back

I am loving this series. Book 2 is just as good as Book 1.
~My Reading Journeys 

The characters in the book are well-rounded, complex, and interesting. The more I’ve read, the more I’ve started liking them.
~Valerie’s Musings

(Dumpster Dying)…this is wonderful story of friendship and family, and this is a series I would highly recommend to all cozy fans.
(Grilled, Chilled and Killed)This book was just as much fun to read as the first one, if not more so.
~Book Babble

Dumpster Dying: Book 1 in the Big Lake Murder MysteriesCozy Mystery
1st in Series
Creekside Publishing (December 31, 2016)
Paperback: 248 Pages E-Book 232 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0997234923
E-Book ASIN: B01MRWGBC8

Emily Rhodes came to rural Florida for the cowboys, the cattle, and to do a little country two-step, not to fall head first onto a dead body in a dumpster. Ah, the golden years of retirement in the sunshine state. They’re more like pot metal to Emily, who discovers the body of the county’s wealthiest rancher in the Big Lake Country Club dumpster. With her close friend accused of the murder, Emily sets aside her grief at her life partner’s death to find the real killer. She underestimates the obstacles rural Florida can set up for a winter visitor and runs afoul of a local judge with his own version of justice, hires a lawyer who works out of a retirement home, and flees wild fires hand-in-hand with the man she believes to be the killer.

Grilled, Chilled and Killed: Big Lake Murder Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Creekside Publishing (December 31, 2016)
Paperback: 330 pages E-Book 224 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0997234930
E-Book ASIN: B01N9GUUKU

It seems as if Emily is destined to discover dead bodies. This time she finds one of the contestants at the local barbecue cook-off dead and covered in barbecue sauce in a beer cooler. She should be used to stumbling onto corpses by now and the question of who killed the guy should pique her curiosity, but Emily decides to let Detective Lewis handle this one, at least until she figures his theory of who did the deed is wrong, wrong, wrong. Lewis’ denigration of Emily’s speculations is condescending enough to stimulate her dormant snooping skills. As the two of them go on their separate paths to find the killer, Lewis’ old partner, Toby the dirty, tobacco-spitting cop interferes in the investigation leaving Lewis with the wrong man in jail. Killers, bootleggers, barbecue and feral pigs—it’s a lethal game of hide and seek in the Florida swamp.

About The Author

Lesley retired from her life as a professor of psychology and reclaimed her country roots by moving to a small cottage in the Butternut River Valley in Upstate New York. In the winter she migrates to old Florida—cowboys, scrub palmetto and open fields of grazing cattle, a place where spurs still jingle in the post office, and gators make golf a contact sport. Back north, the shy ghost inhabiting the cottage serves as her literary muse. When not writing, she gardens, cooks, frequents yard sales and renovates the 1874 cottage with the help of her husband, two cats and, of course, Fred the ghost, who gives artistic direction to their work. She is the author of a number of mystery series and mysteries as well as short stories. The third book in the Eve Appel murders (from Camel Press) A Sporting Murder was awarded a Readers’ Favorite Five Star Award and her short story Gator Aid a Sleuthfest (2009) short story first place. She has fired the alligator that served as her literary muse when she is in Florida and is interviewing applicants for the position.

Author Links

www.lesleyadiehl.com

www.lesleyadiehl.com/blog

www.twitter@lesleydiehl

www.lesley.diehl.1@facebook.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lesley-A-Diehl/522270901254754?fref=ts

Purchase Links

Dumpster Dying – Amazon 

Grilled, Chilled and Killed – Amazon

With all the fascinating characters this book has to offer, mystery fans are sure to find  this a page turner. Emily has found herself becoming  a bartender at a country club after a sudden death finds her all alone. Poor Emily can't seem to catch a break when she finds a dead body in the dumpster outside the club. She now must deal with not only  her partners ex-wife in a dispute over an estate, but the a dead body dumped at her work. I found Emily to me a bit annoying. It's hard to believe that everywhere she turns, trouble is there waiting for her. My favorite character hands down is the lawyer Emily hires. He is grouchy at times, loves the women and oh yeah lives in a nursing home.

Clara the manager of the country club and Emily's best friend is somehow the main suspect in the death of the person dumped like garbage at the club. I did like Clara and thought she had a great sassy attitude. I guess when you have a best friend it isn't always true that you tell them everything . Clara has a big secret that will play a huge role in the mystery and one that Emily wasn't aware of. But have no fear readers, Emily has her own secret that will hit her square in the face. The author does make Florida sound like a fun place to live with luscious golf courses and lively gators waiting to say hi. The story has many little side stories that all intercede to make a delightful book that I found intriguing. Get ready for some  laughs, good old boys and a story that will have you keeping score of all the bad guys. I loved the banter between the characters and thought it was funny when Emily tried to act tough around a certain person. Overall the book is good with a mystery within a mystery.

I received a copy of this book from The Great Escapes Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.

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Tour Participants

May 15 – The Ninja Librarian – REVIEW – Book 1, CHARACTER GUEST POST

May 15 – My Journey Back – My Reading Journeys –  REVIEW – Both Books, INTERVIEW*

May 16 – Dee-Scoveries – SPOTLIGHT

May 17 – Valerie’s Musings – REVIEW – Both Books, INTERVIEW

May 17 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

May 18 – A Blue Million Books – GUEST POST

May 18 – Book Babble – REVIEW – Both Books

May 19 – Sleuth Cafe – SPOTLIGHT

May 19 – Bookworm Café –  GUEST POST

May 20 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW – Book 1

May 20 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – REVIEW – Both Books *

May 21 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT

May 21 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 22 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW – Both Books, CHARACTER GUEST POST

May 22 –StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW – Book 1

May 22 – Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW – Both Books

May 23 – FUONLYKNEW – REVIEW – Both Books*

May 24 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW – Book 2

May 24 – T’s Stuff – REVIEW – Book 1

May 25 – Bibliophile Reviews –  REVIEW – Both Books

May 25 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

May 26 – Rainy Day Reviews – REVIEW –  Both Books*

May 26 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

May 27 – Varietats2010 – REVIEW – Book 2

May 27 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW Book 1, GUEST POST*

May 28 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW Book 2*

May 28 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – CHARACTER GUEST POST

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A FRIEND IN NEED by N. J. LINQUIST

I am always excited when I find a new author. I have read several books from this author and each one gets better than the one before it. The story is about Glen and his friends at school. It may be geared toward teens, but I believe it is really for anyone . We all struggle with self-esteem issues even as adults. It is really hard trying to fit in as you get older. I loved how Glen has continued to grow in his relationship with God. He has become really versed in scripture and I love how he uses sharing it with his friends. I also loved how prayer played a vital part in the story.

There is a love triangle between Glen, Nicole and Charlie. I really felt sorry for Charlie. Here is this very popular guy that all the girls like, but his jealousy really eats away at his confidence. It made me think of all the times I wanted to be pretty so I would be liked. After reading this story it has shown  me that once again beauty is only skin deep. When we allow jealousy, revenge and lies to take over we find ourselves getting further away from God. Glen is a great character and I have enjoyed watching him mature and find his voice to pray for others. He is a great example of a teen that desires to do the right thing. His ability to forgive is a sure sign of maturing .

I did like how the author gave us a bit of intrigue in the story  by having mysterious letters sent to someone. Who is sending letters that are filled with hate? Could it be a girl that feels rejected or is it a boy that  doesn't feel confident in himself? I loved this storyline because it deals with everyday issues teens face. The author kept my interest throughout the story and I enjoyed getting to know the characters better. The overall theme for me was how important it is to be a friend that can be trusted and to forgive others quickly. I look forward to more books from this gifted author.

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network. The review is my own opinion.

RED IS FOR ROOKIE by ANNE GREEN

Holly is a private detective who has several agendas. She is trying to clear her dad's name, find out who killed him and prove to her family that she can handle the job of being a PI and being able to protect herself. The action starts at a Valentine's meet party. Holly and her partner Matt are doing security for the party. Holly notices a group of men that look out of place and before you can blink an eye, chaos erupts.

When the fighting and turmoil  is over , Holly finds her partner hurt. She asks someone to call 911. Within minutes they arrive and she notices something doesn't feel right. Her partner is being stuck with a needle and rushed off in an ambulance. Holly can't find out what hospital Matt has been taken to and realizes something is very wrong. Before long , word has gotten back to Holly that Matt has been kidnapped . Why would someone want to kidnap her partner? The bigger question is who is Stryker? Why was he at the party as security also?

I found the book to be a light quirky and funny mystery. Holly tried to put out a fire with a prime rib, she seems to always be just a few feet away from danger and she is hopelessly clumsy. Her character is very well written and centers on her faith. She has two men vying for her attention, but she is so distracted by the case, will she miss her chance at love? The story flows effortlessly and with action that keeps you glued to the pages.

The author references scriptures throughout the book in a thoughtful way. I loved her use of Deuteronomy 31:8 "
 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid ; do not be discouraged."  What a great encouragement for Holly as she tries to shuffle through a case that can save her partner and perhaps clear her dad's name. The author wrote "If a place is dark, even a flickering candle sheds a lot of light." Holly uses her faith to shine light on the darkness that surrounds her life. I am excited to know that there will be another book in this series. Thank you Anne Greene for an amazing mystery and a story filled with hope and God's direction.

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network. The review is my own opinion.