You are here: Home / Archives for book review

The Last Word by Kathy Herman

January 13, 2010 By 2 Comments

The Last Word The Last Word by Kathy Herman

The Last Word: A Novel (Sophie Trace Trilogy) The Last Word by Kathy Herman

Summary:

When Vanessa arrives home, her mother, Sophie Trace Police Chief Brill Jessup, is stunned to see that she’s pregnant—and by one of her professors.  While Brill is glad her middle daughter rejected the father’s abortion ultimatum, she’s also hurt that Vanessa ignored her upbringing and angry that the professor has disappeared without as much as a nickel of child support.
 
But that’s not all Brill’s got on her plate.  One of her detectives has been killed, and the attacker has threatened to come for her next.  When a second cop is wounded, public criticism mounts as Brill attempts to stay alive long enough to catch the perp.  And she’s trying to find the deadbeat dad as Vanessa struggles to make decisions about her future. 
 
In spite of Brill’s best efforts to stay safe, the murderer finally kidnaps and threatens to kill her and then commit suicide.  As her life hangs in the balance, Brill becomes concerned that her attacker is about to die and is not saved and refuses to be silenced in her witness of God’s love for him.  In a show of grace under pressure and fierce determination, Brill will manage to have the last word, even if it kills her.
 
Author Bio:

Best-selling suspense novelist Kathy Herman has written fifteen novels, including CBA bestsellers The Real Enemy, Tested by Fire and All Things Hidden, since retiring from her family’s Christian bookstore business.  Kathy and her husband, Paul, have three grown children and five grandchildren and live in Tyler, Texas.

My Thoughts:

Kathy Herman is an excellent writer and if you haven’t had the pleasure of reading one of her books you really should pick one up.  The Last Word is no exception.   There are really two stories going on one involving Brill and the PD and the other involving her daughter Veronica.  Personally, I got much more involved in Veronica’s story than Brill’s although they do intertwine a lot.  There is contstantly a sense of suspense throughout the book.  If you are looking for a story that will keep you involved and wanting to finish pick up The Last Word.  The ending will not disappoint.

A copy of The Last Word was provided for review by David C Cook.

Filed Under: book review Tagged With: , ,

One Day Way by Chantel Hobbs

January 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

one day way One Day Way by Chantel Hobbs
The One-Day Way: Today Is All the Time You Need to Lose All the Weight You Want One Day Way by Chantel Hobbs

Summary  

The One-Day Way produces lasting results by taking you back to basics. No more complicated weight-loss strategies. No more expensive diet plans that achieve only temporary results. Instead, you will lose weight and get fit with Chantel Hobbs’s simple, high-energy meal plans and her at-home program for cardio exercise and strength training. She will teach you how to change the way you think, which leads to new actions. Before you know it you will be strong, fit, and healthy. All it takes is doing things differently for twenty-four hours—and then repeating it.

 The One-Day Way gives you everything you need to lose weight and get fit in body, mind, and spirit:

  • Break free from past dieting defeats
  • Learn a realistic, life-changing way to measure success
  • Change the way you think so you can change your life
  • Translate your dreams into goals, and your goals into lasting achievements
  • Get strong with thirty-one simple exercises, no fancy equipment required
  • Take advantage of ten ways to eat better while you lose weight

 By focusing on food, faith, and fitness, Chantel shows you not only how to lose weight, but how to build the new life you were designed to live. You don’t have to wait any longer. The One-Day Way gives you all the tools for success, starting right now.

 Author Bio:

The author of Never Say Diet and The Never Say Diet Personal Fitness Trainer, Chantel Hobbs is a motivational speaker, life coach, personal trainer, marathon runner, wife, and mother of four whose story has been featured on Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, the 700 Club, and the covers of People and First magazines. She appears weekly on two fitness-themed radio programs and promotes her One-Day Way Learning System on television. Visit Chantel at ChantelHobbs.com for fitness updates and coaching tips.

My Thoughts:

This isn’t like most diet books.  Chantel is about motivation.  She wants you to not look at the past or the future but realize that you can only make a choice to change the day you are living.  With several small changes day after day you can change the big picture but the pressure most of us build looking at 6 months from now isn’t what we need to focus on.  We really need to look at today.  I think this would be a good book for anyone who has gained and lost and is again in a position to make a weight change.

Filed Under: book review Tagged With: , , , ,

Levi’s Will by W. Dale Cramer

December 16, 2009 By 17 Comments
LevisWill Levis Will by W. Dale Cramer
Levi’s Will Levis Will by W. Dale Cramer

If you have been reading my blog long you know I have a facination with Amish novels.  If one is offered to me for a review I typically snatch it up in a heartbeat.  I love the image of a simple life (likely because mine is far from simple in many ways).  I have to tell you that Levi’s Will, however, is very different from the Amish novels I normally read.  It is a fictional book based on true events.

Levi is an Old Order Amish no nonsense kind of man.  He is devout in his beliefs and has few words for his children other than critical observations and silence.  Will is his second son.  In his younger years Will seems a little lost in the Amish community and falls into a situation with his girlfriend.  With Levi being angry and critical Will feels forced to run away.  After a time of wandering around he lands himself in the Army.  It is almost far fetched for an Amishman to be in the Army but nevertheless it is where Will winds up.  Through many trials, challenges and journeys Will eventually marries and starts a family.  He returns to Ohio to try to make amends with his Amish roots and feels as if he fails several times.  In the long run a lesson is learned by several people in this book. 

The plot does some time jumping but you will know at the beginning of each chapter what year you are reading about.  Once I got into the story I enjoyed the book very much.  If you like true stories or ones that are very close to true this book should be a new experience and worthwhile read for you.
If you would be interested in winning a copy of this book please

  1.  leave a comment about what interests you most about the Amish culture.
  2. Follow via google
  3. Follow via RSS
  4. Blog about this giveaway and link

Contest ends 12/26 and is open to US only.

A copy of Levi’s Will Levis Will by W. Dale Cramer was provided for review by Bethany House Publishers.

Filed Under: book review, giveaway

Take Your Best Shot

December 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment


Product/Book Name: Take Your Best Shot

Ages: 12-17

Price: $12.99

Put out by: Thomas Nelson
 
Summary:
Discover how you can respond to God’s call in your own life, whether it’s in your own town or on the other side of the world.

Teen Austin Gutwein has taken his best shot several thousand times to help AIDS orphans in Africa and in the process has built a school and a medical clinic! Take Your Best Shot tells how one boy made an incredible difference in the lives of those without hope while challenging the reader to do the same.

The interactive dialogue will leave space for the reader to respond. By the end of the book, the reader will know the testimony of Austin and other teens from around the world who are committed to a life of sharing Christ’s love, and will have begun to search for God’s voice in their own lives. The book will also equip and challenge readers with information on a variety of ministries and organizations around the world to help people, animals, and the environment.

“Austin is an outstanding young man! He inspires us to dream bigger, reach higher and love deeper. His story deserves a wide hearing.” Max Lucado

“I am very impressed with Austin Gutwein’s story in Take Your Best Shot. This book is filled with words of encouragement, inspiration, and hope. It’s guaranteed to motivate you into action.” Pat Williams, Senior Vice President, Orlando Magic

“I spent a day with Austin and his family and found them inspiring. His story, I believe, challenges us all. The first thing I thought as I drove to the airport was: What was I doing when I was twelve? And then, of course, the next thought: What, exactly, am I doing now?” John Larson, Former NBC National Correspondent

“When people ask me how they can possibly make a difference fighting a problem as big as ‘global poverty’, I tell them about a boy named Austin who, like David, stared Goliath in the eye without flinching. This young man has done more to make a difference in the lives of children orphaned by AIDS than most American churches, let alone individuals. If you are older than 10 and you haven’t yet done your part to change the world, read Take Your Best Shot and be inspired. Austin Gutwein shows us the way”. Richard Stearns, President, World Vision US, Author of The Hole in Our Gospel

“When people ask who has most impacted me over the last year, without hesitation I can say Austin Gutwein and the story of Hoops of Hope. I am around amazing leaders all the time, and Austin rivals all of them. Austin is my friend. And Austin is one of my heroes. You can’t be around Austin or the amazing work of Hoops of Hope without being deeply impacted and inspired. Trust me. Do yourself a favor and read this book and the incredible story. But once you do, be prepared to be changed and challenged. You’ll see the world and your significant role in helping those less fortunate in an amazingly fresh way.” Brad Lomenick, Executive Director, Catalyst

“Austin’s story is one of modern day heroism. He represents a new generation that can carry us all into the twenty-first century: a world of hope, peace and selfless love. Austin completely inspires me.” Daniel Biro, Hawk Nelson

My Thoughts
This is an impressive book about how one person can make a huge difference.  Your age isn’t important if you just give it your best shot.  This is a great book to check out if you are looking for some inspiration on how you can make a change in the world.

A copy of Take Your Best Shot was provided by Thomas Nelson through Mama Buzz.

Filed Under: book review

The Christmas Clock

November 26, 2009 By 24 Comments
KMthechristmasclock 72med The Christmas Clock

Kat Martin will delight your imagination with the story of how one little boy tossed around in life with the dreams of buying a clock will bring change to so many lives. 

Eight year old Teddy has no father, his mother has passed away and he is living with his “Gramma” who develops a rapid case of Alzheimers.  Teddy is determined to buy an antique clock his grandmother admires in town.  He goes about finding a job and saving his money all along changing the lives of those around him.

This is would be a great addition to a Christmas collection for any book reader.

Would you like to win a copy? 

  • Leave a comment about your most memorable Christmas gift
  • Follow via Google
  • Follow via Feedburner
  • Follow via Twitter
  • Tweet (1x daily) and link
  • Blog and link

Contest ends 12/5 and is open to US residents only.
 

A copy of The Christmas Clock was provided by The Perseus Books Group for review purposes.  The opinion is my own.

Filed Under: book review, Books, giveaway
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »