"Wherever the River Runs" Book Review and Sweepstake

Guess what everyone - I've got another book to give away and it's an incredible one!

"Wherever the River Runs" by Kelly Minter chronicles her journey into the Amazon on a riverboat mission and tells of how the experience changed her life. Let me tell you, FANTASTIC book! Rarely do I find a book that so resonates with me while at the same time managing to be incredibly written.

One line that I love was actually a quote (that I'm about to misquote) spoken by a friend who said, "What if I help them....and they start needing me?" LOVE IT! I love when someone's honest enough to say what I'm thinking but can't admit because to admit it would be to allow others the opportunity to see behind the plastic façade called 'My Christian Walk'.

I love this book because I know that God is calling me, and you, to a more genuine, faith-led walk instead of the 'If I pretend to be fine and you pretend to be fine then everything's fine' life I'm so often guilty of living. Kelly Minter has hit the ball out of the park on this one, not only in terms of content but also in terms of style. I know others who have done her Nehemiah study and loved it but I didn't. Now I'm thinking I need to take another look at some of her other work.

So, who wants a copy? Let me know and I'll put your name in the draw. Contest closes Aug 15th. Good luck.
Oh, BTW, I got my copy free in exchange for an honest review.




Check out the trailer for the book here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGb4r7lrEno&list=UU4vF_MunQDVGg-P497Bj6nA

Visit Kelly's website here: www.kellyminter.com

(The following is a bunch of legal junk :) )

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

"Persecuted" Book Review and Give Away

If only life were like the movies. "Persecuted" by Robin Parrish, based on a Daniel Lusko film, is reminiscent of the movie "Fugitive" starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones but with a Christian twist. Good guy framed by power hungry 'friend' who then manages to prove his innocence and take down the real bad guy. Unfortunately for persecuted Christians all over the world, life is anything but a fairy tale.

Don't get me wrong, "Persecuted" was a page turner and well written. I highly recommend it. My one pause would come as a warning that the main character - a preacher - is drugged and photographed in compromising photos with a teen prostitute. It isn't graphically written (thankfully) but it still was uncomfortable to read. There is also a fair enough amount of violence written into it to require a brief FYI bulletin. Truthfully though, "Persecuted" is a nice change of pace from all the Rambo style heroes.

If you would like you name entered into a draw for a copy of this book, leave a comment. Contest closes August 7th.

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”x

"Murder at the Mikado" Book Review

Having already read “Death by the Book” by Julianna Deering, I knew what to expect from “Murder at the Mikado” – a gentlemanly mystery full of English sweetness and charm. To be true, I enjoyed “Murder at the Mikado” far more than “Death by the Book” because more clues were given and it gave me something to try and figure out. I didn’t get this in “Death by the Book”
The main character, Drew Farthering, is as always, the sort of person you want to be, as is his fiancée, Madeline Parker. They both exude charm and Godly mercy and grace. I also enjoy the way their gentry language is written.
I can’t say I loved reading about sordid affairs like the different characters were involved in but at least they were written in such a way as to show the sinfulness without being graphic. The same can be said about the murders. (After all this is a murder mystery) They are not at all graphic or explicit – thankfully.
If you’re looking for a mystery novel that keeps you guessing but won’t have you worrying about boogiemen after dark, this is the one.

BTW, I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Truth Be Told"

I was pleasantly surprised by "Truth Be Told" by Carol Cox. It is a romance novel but contains no smut. In fact the only intimacy is a barely there kiss on the last page. (If you're looking for 'heat', keep looking.) "Truth Be Told" is about a woman who inherits a newspaper business from her father and tries to investigate the misdeeds of the evil mining company.

Romance novels are rarely believable so why should this one be? Having said that, fortunately, it was missing the lame woman-hates-man-until-he-kisses-her routine. If nothing else is said, that alone redeems this novel.

I enjoyed the relationship between the main female character and her sole employee - a protective old friend of her father. It was well written and endearing. everyone needs a protective old uncle figure in their life. The bad guys came across as creepy without there having to be anything graphic as well - another bonus. Of course lone rangers rarely take down large mining tycoons and heroes don't really ride in and save the day just in the nick of time by so what? This is a romance novel and it's exactly what romance readers are looking for.

BTW, I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Undetected"

Maybe I'm too cynical. Maybe I'm ungracious. But, the idea of two men so totally wanting the best for one woman that they're willing to help each other win her heart is a bit of a stretch in my mind. In "Undetected" by Dee Henderson, two men, each in the submarine navy, are vying for the heart of a genius who makes incredible breakthroughs in submarine technology. There were a few moments when I thought, "Oh, maybe I don't know how this will turn out." (but as it turned out, I did know all along - which is what you sort of expect from a romance)

"Undetected" was easy to read and the "science" seemed plausible enough, to a layperson such as myself, to not have me groaning. The only downside to the writing itself was that the two men trying to win the woman's heart both sounded the same. There was no character in their dialog. I didn't get a sense of personality and they were both too perfect. It was like she could have flipped a coin to decide whom to marry.

On the up side, some romance novels make me laugh because they are so ridiculous. You know, they meet one afternoon and by that evening she can't face life without him. Fortunately, this wasn't the case - yay.

BTW, I got a copy free in exchange for an honest review. Cheers

50 Things you Need to Know about Heaven

There is a man at my church who knows the Bible inside and out. He is kind and mild-mannered and deeply desires to teach and counsel others towards living more Christ-like. His sermons are very logical,well thought out and well researched. They are also dry.

While not quite as dry, this book by Dr.Hart reminds me of that man. It's very well laid out and filled with sound doctrinal teaching. In fact, I would very much recommend "50 Things You Need to Know about Heaven" to every new believer. And in some ways, it's a plus that this book lacks enthusiastic emotion because it lets the reader come to the truth based on facts instead of feelings.

This book answers question like: Is there Soul Sleep? Will we work in Heaven? What about children and the unborn? Even if you've been a believer in Christ for ages, this book helps you know how to answer these questions should they arise from other people.

BTW, I got a copy for free in exchange for an honest review.

"Deliver Us From Evil"

If you get the chance to read "Deliver Us from Evil" by Don Basham, do it. What an important and eye opening book! Mr. Basham, who is now with the Lord, tells of how he unintentionally got into deliverance ministry - in other words, got into a ministry of casting out demons. I have always known that Satan, demons, evil spirits, etc. were real and present in this world but I didn't know that spirit filled Christians could still be so bothered by them and that so many "issues" could be caused by them. Really that is what this book is about - not so much about people without Christ being bothered by demonic forces, but rather people in the church.

At the end of the book, Mr. Basham went through how to know if your problem is a carnal spirit (in other words - your sinful default setting) or demonic, how evil spirits gain access and so on. So amazingly straightforward in it's layout (very readable too) he also tells how to deal with it as well as advice for anyone who is just starting out in deliverance ministry. Love that! Of course, there is no deliverance apart from the blood of Jesus. It is through Jesus that a Christian has any authority of evil spirits. Praise the Lord though because He has indeed granted us that authority.

Here's where it gets personal: I am a born again, spirit filled Christian and have been for years. I've had dreams from God, been used powerfully in ministry and love Jesus. But, I have also struggled with an overwhelming fear of mirrors after dark on and off throughout my adult years. After reading this book, I realized, with much shock, that my problem was an evil spirit. And, as it would turn out, not one but around a dozen! With my husband by my side, we went through the steps laid out in the book and I could feel them leaving. Their exit wasn't as dramatic as some in the book (which he said it may or may not be) but the joy we both felt afterwards was tangible!

I can't say I'll never struggle with fear again but not in the same way because I have come to realize the authority I have as well as the truth that any issue isn't always demonic and not always carnal. It could be one or the other or both. Mine was both. Now I just have to, through prayer and fasting and reading the Word, deal with the carnal. Fortunately, God is more than willing to strengthen me.

BTW, I got this book free in exchange for an honest review.