"Mind Games" Book Review

Woowee! Buckle up cuz this is going to be one wild ride!

"Mind Games" by Nancy Mehl was fan-slappin'-tastic!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish and I didn't see the ending coming at all.  Granted, as with most novels, there were a few times when I had to let go of reality and just enjoy the story but never so much that I rolled my eyes and thought to myself, "That is sooo not possible."

I loved this book. It's a mystery which follows an FBI agent trying to catch a serial killer who leaves a trail of poems for her - each with clues.  (I love clues. lol)

The plot and plot rhythm were great. The characters and settings were great. The ending was great.

Just do yourself a favor and read this book!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

"Made for the Journey" Book Review

I wonder if sometimes we get the notion in our head that when God calls someone to do something hard that, in some way, they are different than we are. Surely I could never do what they did. That's why God would never ask me to do it!  But then I remember that Moses stuttered and Timothy had anxiety and Ruth was a dirt poor foreigner.

As I started reading "Made for the Journey", I was struck by how, and I mean this in a profoundly good way, regular Elisabeth Elliot was. She was just like you or me. But she loved God and wanted to be used by Him so she stepped up the altar and offered her life, her 'rights', her comfort.  That's what we're all called to do. Dying to self is the only way to real living.

Having the luxury of knowing how her life played out - displaying forgiveness and love on a monumental scale, it was neat to read how it all began, in just a humble ordinary way.  I have often said to others - Don't mistake spectacular for supernatural.  Just because something is small doesn't mean it isn't divinely empowered. You have no idea where it will lead. That's what this book drove home for me.

Take the one step.

Then, when God speaks, take the next step. And before you know it, you've finished the race.  I once read, "Simple and easy are not the same thing.  Running a marathon is simple; just keep putting one foot in front of the other. But it sure isn't easy."

Thank you Mrs. Elliot for letting God be magnified by your life.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

"Mark of the Raven" Book Review

Let me start of by being very clear - this is book 1 of a series! Don't think you're going to get to the end and feel satisfied because the end of the book is definitely not the end of the story. 

And what a story it is! I'm excited to see what author Morgan L. Busse has in store for the rest of The Ravenwood Saga because her imagination is in full bloom. 

If I had to make one critical comment on the book (and this is me being picky) I'd say that there was too much time spent on the contemplation by the characters.  Parts of the plot seemed to stall a little as they circled back to inner turmoils previously discussed. Having said that, "Mark of the Raven" was written in such a way that it was easy to envision the settings and pulled emotions from me towards the characters.  I always think a character is well written when I either care about them or despise them. 

If you pick up "Mark of the Raven", be prepared to be drawn into a fantastical world of gifts, intrigue and adventure.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.