Devotions for Christmas

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms 

About - Christmas is full of hubbub that it is easy to lose the reason we celebrate with all the rush. Yet, from the ugly Christmas sweaters to the expectations of the new year, reminders of why we celebrate the season is all around us.Covering from December 1st to 31st, this devotions cleverly takes usual Christmas events and symbols to remind us of the reason for the season and deepen your relationship with God as we await for the birth of Jesus.

Publisher - Zondervan

Personal Opinion - This short devotional dedicated to the season of Christmas was a poignant read. Each day had a theme related to our usual experiences with Christmas, such as special meals, shopping, and ugly sweaters, and relating them back to the message and events of Jesus and his birth. While each read for the day was only a couple pages long, the message in them was short, sweet, to the point, and full of meaning. The book is so focused on its message there isn't even an attribution as to who the author is, focusing on the book itself and not who wrote it. If you are looking for a something to read that focuses back on Christmas, this one might be a good one to take a look at. Not only will it lead you up to Christmas Day, but to the end of December and a new beginning.

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Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through BookLook.

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The Real Force: A 40-Day Devotional

"What lessons may we learn from this galaxy 

far, far away and how do they relate to the beliefs we hold so near, near to our hearts?"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4.5 Worms
 

About - Star Wars is a rich experience of cultures, morality, and action. But, can this beloved series represent and teach us more about the Christian faith? Paul Kent takes readers on a 40 day journey through the saga, using characters and events of the Star Wars realm to show Christian teachings and Bible verses to bring readers deeper in their faith in God. Everyone might want to be a Jedi and use the Force and visit Tatooine and Cloud City, but Kent shows us who the real Force is in this world.

Author - Paul Kent

Publisher - Worthy Publishing

Age Group - 14 and up

Personal Opinion - 40 days of seeing connections between Star Wars and Christianity. For this devotional, I did only read one chapter a day and it was really nice. I just got to focus on that and got to examine my faith through this great story. Since someone at my church has made a Bible study using Star Wars, there were a couple of times the author would take a different approach to the same situation than that study took so I would start thinking "what about this interpretation?" I was just stuck with that other idea, not that what the author was saying was any less pertinent. I did enjoy this. In the beginning, though, there seemed to be times where the chapter, beginning quote, and the information in the chapter didn't seem to go together very well. Like, it started with one idea but covered another. Somewhere within the middle of the book, this mostly went away but made enough of an impression that I still remember it. It also seemed to cover the original three more than the prequels (but the original three were better). It is also too bad the author couldn't have incorporated anything from the new movie (I believe this book was published before the movie was release or really close to). So, if you love Star Wars and want to see your faith through the lens (or, maybe, parable) or the films, check out this book.

Video - This is a video interview with the author about the book and Star Wars films.

 
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Finding Unauthorized Faith in Harry Potter

"Devotions from the
Wizarding World"

Bookworm's Ranking - 3.5 Worms

About - There has been much controversy concerning Harry Potter and the Christian faith. Now, Nicole L. Rivera, explores how the series can speak and support Christian truths. Focusing on each book, excerpts and verses are combined to explore Harry and his friends more deeply to understand how these adventures reveal Christianity and faith, one chapter at a time.

Author - Nicole L. Rivera

Publisher - Hickey's Books

Age Group - 15 and up

Personal Opinion - When I first heard of this book, I was interested. I have read devotionals in the past the centered on a popular book but Harry Potter was unique because of the controversy concerning the series. Also, upon seeing the movies and currently reading the series, I can see where more can be taken from the books than just a great story but something deeper. And the author worked really had on it. Unfortunately, I did not find it that engaging. Sometimes the message was really quick or quoted the Bible verse associated with it more than discussing it and connecting it. Early on, some of the chapter seemed like a stretch to connect Christian scripture and the series (but, I do think the early books set up for the deeper stuff so that shouldn't be unexpected). I think this book could've had more editing as well. While I liked the book being broken up into the Harry Potter books and covering the messages in each one, the chapters could have been much more impactful and insightful if condensed together. While covering one of the books, I believe two chapters covered love that were the same kind of love. This made it almost over kill and would have made the message better had those two chapters been combined. Several times, I also became confused on what the author was trying to say. As an example, the message it seemed like she was saying that was should separate ourselves from people who don't believe what we do, yet I couldn't help but think that Jesus said to go and make disciples of all people, which means we would have to be around others who disagree with us. Lastly, but this is personal taste, I wasn't fond of the version of Bible she was using. The language was too modern and I felt lost some of the message. In the end, I could see someone who really likes Harry Potter and is a Christian interested in this book but not someone who has issues with the series.

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Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial?

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

About - Ever tried to rectify science and religion? Wondered about genesis vs. the Big Bang? How about what was going to happen when the world ends? Or even the question Pope Francis asked, would you baptize an extraterrestrial? Fr. Guy Consolmagono and Fr. Paul Mueller, priests, work for the Vatican Observatory, and have degrees in science, are asked these questions and more which  they now present in this book. To help explain, they write as if they are having a conversation together in various locations (from art galleries to Antarctica). They talk science and religion and how they don't compete with each other even if they don't always seem to agree. Yet, God created both and they both share important truths of our world and Heavenly Father.

Author - Guy Consolmagno, SJ and Paul Mueller, SJ

Publisher - Image Publishing

Age Group - 15 and up

Personal Opinion - Like most Catholics (or Christians for that matter) I have heard the arguments on science vs. religion before, which is why I was interested in this book. I might have wanted a way to show how religion is true and science can prove it when I started this book (which the authors warn against) and learned some interesting things (such as the Vatican has an observatory and astronomers! ;) ). The idea of using conversation style writing and locations was intriguing in the beginning and seemed like it would help explain the science and religion in a common form so it might be more understandable. But, it got awkward pretty quick. It didn't seem to be used as effectively as it could and, on occasion, the authors got on tangents on the location or example they were sharing for a couple of sentences that felt like the discussion was going off topic for no good reason. I struggle with science so that didn't help me and the explanations seemed long winded and over done. To a scientist, everything was probably necessary and it was pretty much understandable but overwhelming. I could only read so much at a time and then needed a break, yet, at the same time, I felt like if I kept reading everything would come together clearer. I did appreciate what they were trying to do. This book I would recommend to someone who understands science more than me, even borrow them the book. But, someone who struggles with science, I would tell them about the book but hesitate in giving it to them.

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Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through Blogging for Books.

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52 Little Lessons from Les Miserables

"There is One Spectacle Greater than the Sea:
That is the Sky;
There is One Spectacle Greater than the Sky:
That is the Interior of the Soul."

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 4.5 Worms

 

About - Author Bob Welch takes readers on a journey through the popular book, beloved musical, and famous movie, Les Miserables and examines some of the deeper lessons it shares. From sacrifice to loving your enemies, 52 Little Lessons from Les Miserables compare God's word with this Victor Hugo tale and how it calls readers to live a better life and see others as God sees them. The poor can teach us more than one might think.

Author - Bob Welch

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Age Group - 15 and up

Personal Opinion - Wow, what a great book. A perfect devotional-type book that takes the story of Les Mis and examines lessons and examples that we can take and learn from for our own lives. Each chapter begins with a quote and summary before leading into what Jesus has taught us and/or personal experiences. It made me think of my own life and how I treat or react to others and what I could do to change. One chapter I am still debating over on some of its points but I was very happy with the whole book. A read for those who love Les Mis or using books/movies/popular culture as examples to dig deeper into their faith.

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Yawning at Tigers

"You Can't Tame God,

So Stop Trying"

Bookworm's Ranking - 5 Worms

About - We often talk about God's loving kindness, mercy, and companionship. Yet, in making God a buddy, we tend to bring God down to our own understanding, taming the tiger that He is. Beautiful and majestic yet capable of being ferocious and dangerous. With detailed sources from the Bible as well as scholars, Drew Dyck takes readers though an adventure of seeing both sides of this loving yet dangerous God that we call Abba, follow, and love.

Author - Drew Nathan Dyck

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Age Group - 17 and up

Personal Opinion - The premise of this book, that we shrink God down to a size we understand thus remove his awesomeness, hit home because it is something not only have I done but have seen in similar instances that Dyck cited. I loved how he used personal and media stories to introduce the topic of each chapter, bring it home, and the quotes he used to support his points. I also love that, despite this book is about not shrinking God to being your best bud but also seeing his wonder and power, it was not fire and brimstone either but brought back to the contradiction, near and fare, merciful but just, loving and wrathful, He has always been. This book was true to life and made me think of God in a new way but not contradictory to my faith. Instead, renewed the view of him. One thing I wish this book had done more was give ideas of how to renew that image and relationship with God. It mostly brought an awareness of what was happening but maybe that is a good start to changing how we approach and treat our Lord.

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Fairy Tale Novels: Books 4 & 5

"A Fairy Tale Retold"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4-5 Worms

Storyline -

The Midnight Dancers - Rachel's life is boring. Proper girl with no adventure and her parents strict on what she wears and behaves. Not only that, she has to share a house, and room, with eleven other sisters and live in a new house. But she is determined to have an adventure. So when she and her sisters are able to escape to the island across from their house and have parties with the owner's son, what else can they do but sneak out of the house, made increasingly difficult with their father's friend Paul hanging around. But the house that seemed like dream come true might just be a nightmare.

Alex O'Donnell and the 40 Cyber Thieves - Alex's family, who has struggled to make ends meet for years, finally came into some money, a million dollars worth. But something is up with it that only Kateri, Alex's girlfriend, seems to see. How on earth did a million dollars just show up in his mail? If that wasn't bad enough, his family decides to by hotel with the money, which Alex just has to give a job to Kateri as she struggles to find work. But when the owners of the money come looking, it will take all of Alex's and his families martial arts skills and intelligence as well as Kateri's sensibility and cunning to overcome the cyber thieves.

Author - Regina Doman

Publisher - Chesterton Press

Age Group - 16 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Girls disobey their parents and sneak out and lie. Fights against evil and those trying to hurt the ones they care about. Some computer hacking.

Personal Opinion - More great reads by Regina Doman. They retell classic fairy tales excellently and make the characters come alive and real. Each character struggles and each comes to see what is important and have a spiritual growth, changing them. The details in the novel are wonderful, seeing each location as clearly as on the TV (nothing graphic though). Something about Alex O'Donnell, though, felt like there could have been more. I can't place my finger on it but it needed... something. That one is still a fun story and the martial arts is just cool.

Reviews of Other Books by this Author - Fairy Tale Novels: Book 1-3

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Limitless

"Devotions for a Ridiculously Good Life" 

Bookworm's Ranking - 5 Worms

About - Nick was born without arms or legs, was bullied while growing up, yet knows the love of God and that he was made with a purpose. He had felt the highest hope and deepest despair and travels around the world sharing his story and encouraging others to not give up and to find a purpose in their life. Now, Nick shares this same massage in 50 daily devotions to encourage readers to over come their obstacles, find hope and love in God, and to find their purpose in life.

Author - Nick Vujicic

Publisher - WaterBrook Press

Age Group - 15 and up

Personal Opinion - This book was so wonderful. I loved Nick's story and message before from watching his youtube videos. And this book incorporated everything he talks about and I found it so encouraging. Using his own experiences and journey and other's stories, he gives advice for overcoming your difficulties, for finding your purpose and living your dreams, and to remember that God loves you. Nick truly found his calling in what he does because he delivers those messages perfectly and it speaks to the heart. I wish there had been a spot to write my own thoughts but perhaps that is normal for devotionals. Will be reading this again and giving it as a gift. Perfect for encouragement and inspiration.

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Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

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Failstate: Legends and GIVEAWAY

"A Young Superhero.

A Legend Reborn.

And a Whole Mess of Zombies."

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

 

Storyline - Rob/Failstate finally has his vigilante license and can help the citizens of New Chayton. But things instantly fall apart with meeting zombies. Literally, yet no one believes him. As Rob works to bring down the zombies, he has to deal with the VOC, other heroes, no one believing he can do the job, and girls. But when a legendary hero returns, it is up to Failstate to discover where he stands as well as discover how to stop the zombies.

Author - John Otte

Publisher - Marcher Lord Press

Age Group - 16 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Several fights between good guys and bad guys. Rob tries his best to do what is right and help others. At one point, he and another hero go to a night club where there is some promiscuous dancing but not detailed. Drugs are also brought up as well as another serious topic, again, not detailed. The heroes are willing to sacrifice themselves to save others.

Personal Opinion - It was fun reading about Failstate again and meeting more heroes. I especially liked Dr. Olympus (she was so funny). I also liked Etal'el, who had some great advice. Failstate learning more about is powers was a treat because I had been wondering if more would be discovered. I also liked how the story brought in "history" of the heroes, which was creative and added to the world of the superheros. The story was a bit more grown up (maybe even a little dark) in one spot, such as stopping drug lords who also did other crimes. Even though the story was good, I felt  it was a bit slow at times and that some of the side stories could have been mixed a little more with the main story. A couple of times it seemed like to big a break between events with the zombies. But, the story was interesting and I think Failstate, as well as some of his friends, learned some good lessons.

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GIVEAWAY -

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Other Reviews for this Author - Failstate, Book 1

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the author.

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Halfling Series: 2 Enovellas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 - 4.5 Worms

Storyline -

11:15 The Making of a Hafling - As Raven and Mace wait for their next assingment, they train Vine for when he will come into his gift. When a mission comes up, Vine goes with his Halfling brothers to stop a deadly fire just to watch but soon Vine get in trouble and he might not make it out alive.

A Halfling Rescue - The Halfling group go on a mission to rescue a movie star and her friends who have been taken hostage by gunmen. Under constant threat of being discovered, the Halflings work to subdue the captors but they might also get caught.

Author - Heather Burch

Publisher - Zondervan

Age Group -  15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Raven is his usually rebellous self and Mace is just as frustrated with him. The Halflings put themselves in danger to save others, even at the risk of their own lives.

Personal Opinion - 11:15 is the story of Vine I've been waiting for! It fits perfectly with the beginning of the series. A Halfling Rescue is a fun adventure that takes place between books 1 and 2. It was a bit slow but was a great story about sacrifice. Both were not as serious as the main series but cool adventures and were separate from the rest of the books so don't feel like you might have missed something if you haven't read them. I loved the comic like pictures sprinkled within the text (somehow, it fit but I don't know what I would think of them if there were in the main series. Then again it might be fun). If you are planning on reading the Halfling series, or already have, read these too. They will just add a bit more fun to the series.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ChristianBook, Publisher (all the novellas are free at each of these places)

Links - Halflings - Review
            Guardian - Review
            Avenger - Review (Coming Soon)

Special Notes - 11:15 The Making of a Halfling takes place before Haflings and A Halfling Rescue takes place between books 1 and 2.

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Starring Me

"Kara McKormick is Told She's Auditioning
to Star in a New Teen Variety Show.
It's What She isn't Told
that Could Change Her Life."

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Kara gets the chance to finally chase her dreams when she's invited to audition for a new TV show. But as she gets to know her competition, she wonders if she has what it takes to make it in the world of acting. When tragedy strikes her family, she will have to choose how much she really wants to live her dreams and see if the God she has always denied is truly there.

Author - Krista McGee

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Catish girls willing to claw , lie, and back-stab others to get the part they are auditioning for. Kara is unwilling to stoop to that level but also wonders how she will make it in the acting world then. Chad is willing to listen to God and his parents even thought it might mean disrupting his dreams. Addy and Flora wants to share God and are kind and gracious as they do.

Personal Opinion - Another completely engaging book by Krista McGee. Had a hard time putting this down and enjoyed it the whole time. The characters were real and I liked how the author had Kara come to know God, which wasn't rushed and was pretty believable. Chad was a pretty cool guy and I appreciated seeing the story from his point of view too. God's complete love, no matter what, was a favorite message to me in this particular book and loved how Addy told Kara about it (Yes, we get to see how Addy and Jonathan are doing after First Date). The only thing I would have liked differently was having Kara and Chad interact more in the story. This is seriously a new favorite author and can't wait until I can get my hands on her next book.

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Special Notes - First Date - Review
                         Anomaly - Review

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Unglued Devotional

"Imperfect Progress in

60 Days?"

Bookworm's Ranking - 5 Worms

About - We have all been there. Something happens that makes us become "unglued," our emotions run rampant, and we let it get the better of us. But it doesn't have to be that way. Lysa TerKeurst knows what it is like to completely come undone and let those you love have it or bring yourself down when something totally goes wrong that you wanted to go right. With pertinent (and sometimes funny) stories, Lysa will talk to your heart and situation while giving suggestion on how to end the unglued cycle and start making imperfect progress by turning to the One who loves and created you.

Author - Lysa TerKeurst

Publisher - Zondervan

Age Group - 17 and up

Personal Opinion - Just one minute... Strange. For how much this book depicted what I struggle with, the note in the beginning should have started with "Dear Rachel." I might not be a mom or a wife but totally get the feelings Lysa was talking about. I don't know how many times I have "stuffed," "stewed," and had "toxic thoughts" leading to an explosion later on or self doubts. While reading this book, I tried harder to let God take care of my concerns, prayed more to Him, and got a Bible verse a-day app to give me some uplifting verses. And you want to know what? I think it is working. Shortly before finishing the book I had an instance where it would have been nice to explode on another or stew about it after but I didn't. The only thing different was reading this book, making me think I might be making some "imperfect progress." If only I had taken this advice sooner. The only things I wish had been different were 1) more direct advice on how to handle these situation (but I can see how each person is different so there couldn't be a clear cut, fix-all plan) and 2) had the self-eval on ways you become unglued in the beginning or right after the first couple chapters instead of the end so readers would have been able to identify with chapters speaking on that type better. But, I loved this devotional and am already thinking of people I want to encourage (or buy for) to get this book.

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Special Notes - There is another book, Unglued, that came before this one and a Bible study too that can be found on the author's website.

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher through Booksneeze.com.

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The Mission League: The New Recruit

"Mission 1: Moscow"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms
 

Storyline - Spencer Garmond loves basketball more than anything and is willing to do anything to play. So when he is presented with either going to Military school or joining the Mission League, a group of Christians who think they are spies, he picks the churchers. Caring less about God, he puts up with these crazy Christians and goes on the mission trip to Russia. While in Moscow, Spencer meets Pasha, a boy with a strange tattoo and who is involved with a scary cult. As the summer continues and Arianna, a Mission League girl, tries to convert him and surrounded by other devote Christians, Spencer will have to make a choice about the gift God has given him and if he wants God in his life.

Author - Jill Williamson

Publisher - Marcher Lord Press

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Spencer swears but the actual words don't appear in the book but switches to substitute swear words when he can no longer use real ones. He has no interest in God or the Christian thing and thinks/says insults towards the other Mission League members but begins to see them differently and wants to learn about God by the end. There is a cult and it is wondered if demon possession is involved but non of the protagonists like it. A character in her past has had a hard life, there are no details but it is known that she was attacked and has a kid.

Personal Opinion - What first attracted me to this book was 1. Jill Williamson (fantastic author), 2. spies (can rarely go wrong with this kinda plot), and 3. Russia (have a strange fascination and obsession with Russia since the movie Anastasia. Even have a book in Russian yet I can't read a word of it). While reading The New Recruit, I enjoyed the opportunity, like many of my fellow reviews, to see from the point of view of someone who doesn't practice their Christian faith while surrounded by those who do. It gave it gave me, the reader and a practicing Christian, a chance to see my behaviors towards someone who doesn't think, or believe, like I do. Spencer did begin to change before the end of the book and will be digging deeper, I'm sure, in later books into who God is. The action in the story was good and the cult that Spencer and Pasha got mixed up in was realistic. ***SPOILER*** For a literature class, I read an author with similar ideas of looking inside yourself for power and truth as the cult in the book thought (I don't think there are any conection between the two). ***END SPOILER*** The beginning was a little slow to me and I thought I saw a couple of telling situations but that faded as the book went on and I found myself picking the book up when school needed to be done from curiosity as to what would happen next. Looking forward to the next books in this series and all the adventure and character journeys to come.

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Links - Visit the Mission League here. Visit Jill Williamson's webpage to learn about her other books and read her reviews. Read an author interview and enter the giveaway.

Special Notes - This is book 1 in the Mission League Series. Read about the others on The Mission League

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher/author through Team Novel Teen.

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Prove It! God

"Got God?"

Bookworm's Ranking - 5 Worms

About - Ever be in a conversation about God and your friend asks you if you believe in God and/or why? Had trouble answering that? Ever been asked that if there is such a loving God, why do innocent people suffer? Or be told that they don't need to be told how to live their life? This book covers those questions and more, each chapter containing a question and an answer using reason, quotes by those who have gone before us, and examples of good ways to approach the topic. Don't be afraid, share with your friend why you believe in God in a honest, kind, and loving way using reason and His word.

Author - Amy Welborn

Publisher - Our Sunday Visitor

Age Group - 15 and up

Personal Opinion - Excellent. Fantastic. Engaging. Well Reasoned. Brought me closer to God and understanding why I believe what I believe. Sometimes I fall into the trap that started this book, "Why do you believe in God." "I always have." Not a very good answer to someone who doesn't believe or has doubts about Him. But now, I understand more and have some useful advice on what to say and how to reason it. I have also fallen into the trap of having to prove it and becoming defensive and heated when discussing these kind of things. The book reminded me to stay calm and how to go about discussing things things farther without attacking anyone. The book did use the words 'absurd,' 'silly,' and other such phrases when stating unbelievers and doubters claim why they doubt God which might turn someone coming to faith off from reading this book. But I loved it and will be recommending it in the future and work on remembering its advice and arguments when discussing these things in the future.

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Links - Learn more about the books and author here.

Special Notes - There are 4 more books to the Prove It! Apologetics.
                          Prove It! Church, Review - Coming Soon
                          Prove It! Jesus, Review - Coming Soon
                          Prove It! Prayer, Review - Coming Soon
                          Prove It! You, Review - Coming Soon

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Swipe Series: Sneak

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms
 

Storyline - Logan is on his own. But the government is cracking down on the Markless like never before. Determined to get to Beacon to find his lost sister, he receives help form fellow Markless as he travels halfway across the country as well as learn of a God no one speaks of since the Total War. Erin is also on a mission. What did Logan find to go crazy like he did at his Pledge? As she digs deeper, she discovers something she never imagined possible. Will Logan find his sister? And, if he does, what then?

Author - Evan Angler

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Age Group - 12 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Ready to sacrifice themselves at any moment to help others who were in danger. One crazy couple who want to hurt some Markless. Both the Markless and the Marked stereotype each other with names and generalized ideas but some of them start to see things differently.

Personal Opinion - Wow. Book one was good. Intriguing and exciting situations. Book two is better. I entered the story on page one and every page after that. I got to know the characters even better, they really came alive, and their struggles and mission was something I latched onto. Believable in ever sense, characters, the future world, the government, everything. The Christian elements that also came out of this dystopia was perfectly done. I especially like how it was all underground and there was a Underground-Railroad with Christian symbols to it. The only thing that disrupted the story for me was something with the ending. It wasn't the content but it seemed at the end to give little snippets of events after the main action was over which didn't flow nicely for me. Still, a totally enjoyable book. If I was excited after book 1, I'm psyched now and am eagerly waiting for book 3.

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Links - Learn more about the books and author here.

Special Notes - Book 1, Swipe - Review

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher/author through Team Novel Teen.

Tour - 
Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Sneak by Evan Angler by clicking on the links above, and check out www.NovelTeen.com for more information about Team Novel Teen.

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Heavenward Reviews

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Labor Not in Vain

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Reviews by Jane

Shadow Writer World

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First Date

"The Last Thing Addy Davidson Wants

is to be on a Reality TV Show

Where the Prize is a Prom Date

With the President's Son."

Bookworm's Ranking - 4.5 Worms

Storyline - Addy is selected to appear on a reality TV show to win a date with American hunk, the President's son. But she wants out. With no way of bailing on the show and her friends and family believing God wants her to do something there, spread His word she goes. All she has planned, though, is to get kicked off as soon as possible. Soon, she meets the presidents son. Who knew that he was so nice and cute. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to win. But things begin to heat up on the show with the host hating her, the other girls believing she is trying to steal the spot light, and frightened to reveal her belief in God. Can Addy do what needs to be done before the show's finally and her chance is gone?

Author - Krista McGee

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Addy wants to share her faith in God but is afraid and tends to be angry with other people with her predicament of being on the show than showing his love. The host hates Addy for some reason as well as the other girls and they make that very clear to her. Addy prays for God to help her in what she is there to do.

Personal Opinion - So I started this book for something more light hearted and simple than my more intrigue, action, lots-of-little-details-that-you-have-to-remember books and found myself in a whirlpool of a charming, engaging, funny book that I couldn't put down. I found myself identifying with Addy in a number of ways; nervous about talking about my faith, shy, tend to think and not respond to the person I'm with. I also loved her friends and could identify with them as well. It was realistic and well put together. Something I didn't like was sometimes events, important events, would get jumped over and recapped latter. I would have preferred reading about them even if they made the book longer but this is definitely a book I have fallen for and will eagerly be searching out this author's next book.

Buy - Amazon, Christianbook.com, Barnes and Noble, Publisher,

Links - Learn more about the books and author here.

Special Notes - USA Today Review.
                          Starring Me - Review
                          Anomally - Review

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The Last Temple and GIVEAWAY

"The Beast is Dead,
Yet Lives On."

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Vitas is able to leave is slave disguise behind and continue his quest in conquer Nero, the man who threatened his wife and lead him to his current predicament. Unrest and rebellion is happening in Jerusalem, causing Roma to take up arms against the city. Can Vitas understand the Revelation the disciple John left him and come to the Christos who his wife serves so faithfully? Can he save the Temple from destruction by Roman hands?
Author - Hank Hanegraaff and Sigmund Brouwer
Publisher - Tyndale House Publishers
Age Group - 17 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Nero is a creep and gave me the shivers just mentioning some of the stuff he did. Something gross was mentioned almost every time he was (that is all I can say if I want to keep this blog post PG-13). Vitas had much hate for Nero because of what he tried to do to his wife so Vitas carries desires for revenge with him. Many spoke of God and the new Christians, giving advice when needed. Vitas yearns to have the faith of those people. Many are invited to comit suicide instead of being executed. Vitas tries to do the honorable thing in all situations and is faithful and loyal to those he loves.
Personal Opinion - Before reading this book, I had heard only two interpretations of the Book of Revelation. The dominate one I heard was the end of the world for us and it hadn't happened and the Left Behind movie (I also heard Catholics don't believe in the Rapture theory so I never thought about that one much). I had also heard that there was a theory that Revelation was about the 2nd fall of the Temple. I didn't know much about that event so I just listened and had no idea what I thought, founding Revelation confusing but willing to hear the theories. After this book, I might be more inclined to the Revelation prophesying the fall of Jerusalem but will still study the different ideas.

Now about the book. The story really pulled me in. Vitas was a sympathetic, honorable hero that I just connected to. He, as well as all the other characters, was well developed and realistic. The building of the story as also good, slowly working up to the exciting, action parts and mystery unfolding just enough to keep the reader wondering what was going to happen. There were times I got confused and didn't understand all the connections but the intricacy kept me involved. I was almost not happy with the ending. The action went really close to the final page and I thought there wouldn't be enough time for a wrap-up. But, it was done beautiful and left with some hope for the characters in the future.

Video -

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Links - Learn more about the books and authors here.

Special Notes - This is Book 3 in a series.
                          Book 1, The Last Disciple, Review - Coming Soon
                          Book 2, The Last Sacrifice, Review - Coming Soon

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the Tyndale Blogger Network.
GIVEAWAY - Courtesy of the publisher, I receive a certificate to give to one blessed winner to receive a copy of The Last Temple by either go to their local Christian retailer with the certificate to redeem or sending to Tyndale where they will mail the book. This giveaway is only open for a week because the certificate expires on October 1, 2012 so I want to get this to the winner as soon as possible. The winner has 24 hours to respond to the email I send out announcing that they won before choosing a new winner if I don't hear back from them. Enter using the Raflecopter below and please read the Terms and Use before entering. Good luck to all who enter and make sure you chew on a good book today. :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Crystal Lies

"A Son's Addiction.
A Mother's Heartbreak.
A Family's Crisis."

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

Storyline - Glennis had the perfect life. An attorney husband, a daughter with a full ride through college, a loving son, a house in a nice neighbourhood, and an expensive car. Then her son, Jacob, starts using drugs. As she tries to help him, her marriage falls apart and she is blamed not only for her divorce but accused of enabling her son. As Glennis seeks help and adjusts to her new life in a crummy appartment, she wonders where God is in this, why it is happening, and how she can truly help her son.

Author - Melody Carson

Publisher - WaterBrook Press
Age Group - 16 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Glennis's son uses drugs. She fights to help Jacob but has a hard time doing what needs to be done. Jacob's dad yells at him and shakes him once, later threatens to have him arrested. Glennis sticks up for herself and finds a way to heal and continue on.

Personal Opinion - The storyline was good and interesting and the characters seemed true in my opinion but it was they way the story was told that made me not like it very much. The author gave the information straight forward which kept me from fully feeling the events and emotions in the story. It also dwelt a long time on the woman's divorce in the beginning and, when we got to see her interacting with her son, I wish there had been more to it in the end. It did pull at my heart strings during the marital stuff because I know people who have been through those tough divorces or those kind of people around them. I also have an appreciation for the ending. Despite the fact I pray, I still worry and try to control things on my own, like Glennis did, so that really taught me something in the end.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble,

Links - Learn more about the book and author here.

Special Notes - Read my other reviews of Melody Carson's books:
                         On the Runway: CIAO Review
                         The Secret of Samantha McGregor: Bad Connection Review

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Merlin's Immortals: The Orphan King

"The Future of the Immortals

is in the Hands of an Orphan."

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Thomas has spent most of his life with the only person he has ever loved, a woman named Sarah, or monks who worked him hard. But he knows he is destined for other things and escapes. After freeing a knight, a silent girl, and a grinning pickpocket from hanging, he sets off to reclaim the castle Magnus from an evil tyrant. But there is more to the knight than meets the eye. A long time conflict is just beginning to rise up again. And, unawares, Thomas is in the middle of it.
Author - Sigmund Brouwer

Publisher - WaterBrook Press
Age Group - 15 and up
Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Thomas does trickery to get what he wants and threatens some monks who have raised him yet abused and used him. The monks are greedy and do things against the church and wish to keep it hidden from others. The church and its people are shown as those who make their own choices instead of the Catholic church being corrupt. William protects those around him. Characters look to God for help but Thomas wishes to ignore Him, which seems to be changing by the end. Thomas respects women and tries to defend them.

Personal Opinion - Sigmund Brouwer created an interesting book with an array of different
characters, a honorable knight, a determined orphan, a giddy pickpocket, and a shadowy girl, while playing with history and hinting to some fantasy. It had good action/adventure and some building of a deeper mystery that is still hidden. That might be my biggest thing about this book, I wish it had built more on what was the series was about and Druids and Immortals. I got some hints but wish there had been more. How Catholicism was handled was something I appreciate being a Catholic because I have read books where it seems it is spoken of in general terms and that religion is corrupt or hypocrites instead of just being people's own choices and not living the faith they profess. They may not be how other authors mean to portray it but it just feels like that sometimes. This book didn't do that in my opinion. Only once did it seemed something was said in a general term but, at the end of the book, the human choice aspect still there. I am looking forward to what happens next and will defiantly be getting book 2, there is a lot of promise for some action and mystery to abound. Can't wait!

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher

Special Notes - There is a cool PODCAST interview here that gives some background information of the series and his writing.
Book 2 coming out 2013.

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.


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