Late Post... Again :(

Welcome to Bookworm,

So sorry that my review is late once again. Finals and Christmas are catching up with me and keeping me from being very faithful to my reviews at the moment. But, finals are over and will have bit of a break until it starts up again so I should be able to prepare some reviews during this time.

At least one other Christmas review is coming up, one that was fun and I hope you like it. It is a children's book and depicts the creation of the nativity scene.

Still working on giveaways. I believe I have one planned for January (need to double check) and am thinking about hosting another at the same time. Still making decisions so any suggestions are welcome.

Anyways, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

and here is to receiving a good read this holiday

while celebrating the

birth of Jesus.

A Winter Dream

"The #1 Bestselling Master

Of the Holiday Novel 

Reimagines the Classic Story of

Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors,

Presenting An Inspiring Modern Story 

Of Family and Forgiveness."

Bookworm's Ranking - 3.5 Worms

Storyline - Joseph is one of twelve brothers, is the favorite of his father, and doing well in the family's advertising agency. Unfortunately, this doesn't sit well with his brother and the first chance they get they coerce him into leaving home and never coming back. Joseph is heart broken but tries to make the best of it. Soon he is rising up in his new job and falling for a beautiful and kind waitress, April. But she hides a past and his boss's fiance is a bit flirtatious. When things begin to fall apart, Joseph is left reeling and it seems he is about to sink to the bottom. But his dreams are yet to be realized. Based of the Bible story of Joseph in the book of Genesis.

Author - Richard Paul Evans

Publisher - Simon and Schuster

Age Group - 17 and up

Content - *Contains Spoilers* Joseph is angry at the situation but is willing to sacrifice for the ones he loves and keeps to his convictions even in the face of adversity (aka being tempted by another man's fiance). Joseph ultimately forgives and loves his family. April is from a polygamist colony and was treated unfairly. She is also very loving and sacrificial. About 2-3 swear words but this is better than some books I have read. The woman who tempted him tore open her dress and it mentions that he saw her under garments.

Personal Opinion - A pretty enjoyable read. I kept going back to it, wanting to know what would happen next even though I know the Bible story like the back of my hand. It is pretty accurate to the Biblical tale and how the author played with the names in keeping them accurate to the Bible story but believable for modern day was a fun, creative aspect to the story. They were quite fun actually, such as Timothy Ishmael, the names of the 12 sons (some the same, some different yet very similar), and Joseph Jacobson. It does require some knowledge of the original story but fun non the less. I also liked how the dreams where made for modern day and yet were accurate to the dreams Joseph had in the Bible. A couple of things don't sit well with me, though. First, very little to almost no mention of God throughout the entire book even though it is based of a Biblical story. The majority of God was a picture of Jesus hung in a girl's house as well as she once was mentioned as consulting her Bible and Joseph's father once mentioned "God's time." There were a couple of things I didn't completely understand after I finished as well so I'm still working through them. Might have to reread it but will save it for next year. The book does deliver what it advertises on the back, "An inspiring modern story of family and forgiveness" and I would like to add love and good coming from bad. Good in those aspects and fairly clean, just wish it had incorporated more of God in the story like in the Bible.

Video - This isn't a trailer but of the author talking about his book. Quite interesting.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher

Links - Learn more about the book and author here.

Special Notes - The author has written multiple Christmas novels based off Biblical stories.

To read, comment, and rate this and other reviews, stop by Bookworm

Paper Angels

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

 

Storyline - Thomas's Christmas is looking bleak. Dealing with leaving his abuse father a year ago and bullies at his new school, Thomas tries to be positive and help his struggling family. But his mother signs him and his sister up for the Angel Tree program by the Salvation Army to receive gifts from complete strangers for Christmas because she can't even afford gifts and the issues with the bully escalate. What can one 16 year old do?

Kevin is watching the company he built coming down around him and the bills piling up. Not feeling much hope and not understanding why God is doing this to him, his wife insists on taking Angels from an Angel Tree but Kevin isn't so sure that is a good idea. As the days advance toward Christmas, will Kevin find the truth of what God is trying to tell him?

Author - Jimmy Wayne with Travis Thrasher

Publisher - Howard Books; A Division of Simon and Schuster, Inc

Age Group - 14-15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Thomas struggles with a bully at school and his family not having money, yet he is able to over come that and see others who need as well. Kevin doesn't understand why God is letting his business fail but finds the truth God is trying to share.

Personal Opinion - I was first interested in this book because I was familiar with the song of the same name by artist who is also the writer of this book. Beautiful song, highly recommend listening to it. Anyways, this book was beautifully told of what was really important, not only during Christmas, but all year around. God was a big character throughout and the characters were developed realistically as well as having believable stories of heart ache but ending with hope. Both the main characters went on a journey with God, seeing things for what they were and handling their situations honorably. They both made positive difference in their lives and other's. I enjoyed it and was engaged when I reading but part of me thought it could have gone a bit deeper into the characters. It could also be a bit slow at times. But it was still good, filled with reality yet hope as well as reminding what was really important and to trust in God.

Video - This is the music video "Paper Angels" performed by Jimmy Wayne.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher,

Links - Learn more about the book and author here.

Special Notes - The book is based off Jimmy Wayne's experience with the Angel Tree Program through the Salvation Army. I bet the song is too.

To read, comment, and rate this and other reviews, stop by Bookworm

Some Great Books Being Released in 2013

Welcome to Bookworm,

Another week where there isn't a review. This is just not my month. School is nuts and I just haven't been reading like I usually do. I have been reading a devotional which I'm making good progress in and I have the next book ordered for a coming up giveaway, more on that in a week maybe.

So, instead of a review, I thought I would post some covers of some upcoming books that I'm excited about. A couple weeks ago, I shared what I believed was the next CHAOS book by Jon S. Lewis. Now it is stated that it is book 3 and has a synopsis on its Amazon Page! Yay! Wonderful series and can't wait to see how it all come together. Found cover on Amazon along with a projected release date; April 16, 2013.

 

The next is from an author I discovered this year. I read Serpent of Moses by Don Hoesel and that was it. Great read, fabulous storyline and character. So when I saw this cover, I knew I had to read it. This book does have a synopsis on its Amazon Page and I felt that this time I would have to read Elisha's Bones (kinda book 1 of this group) before this one. I haven't so what do I do? Order the book along with a recent order and will hopefully read it before July 1, 2013 (the projected release date as stated on Amazon).

Last week, I reviewed Tracy Higley's Isle of Shadows which was a great ancient mystery, coming of faith, and love story. I have also read her book Petra: City in Stone which is also a high recommendation. So here is the cover of her next book, So Shines the Night, which I found on its Amazon Page along with a synopsis. Another one I am sure to fall for and will impatiently waiting to read. Projected release date is March 12, 2013.

 

If you have been reading R. J Larson's Books of the Infinite, book 1 being Prophet and book 2, Judge, just out, you will probably be excited to see book 3's, King, cover! What I like so far is that it is fantasy yet reminds me of Old Testament prophets. Good series so far. Projected release; July 1, 2013.

 

 

And, of course, I have tell of Jill Williamson's new book, a dystopia, coming out next year on February 19! She is one of my favorite authors so this is definitely a book to get. Read the synopsis on its Amazon Page. 

 

For a final book reveal, how about an author who is making his debut on April 16, 2013? This takes place during King Aurthur's time and is a take on the Merlin stories! Everyone, Robert Treskillard and his book, Merlin's Blade, book 1 in the Merlin Spiral!

 

 Aren't all these just wonderful covers?! Next year is bring out some great books announced here and not. There are others I am anticipating but I just haven't heard too much about them yet. If you know of any that wasn't mentioned here, feel free to leave a comment, I'm always looking for good reads no matter how much my 'To-Read' shelf is over flowing. :) Hope this brightens your day a bit. Have a good day and chew on a good book!

Disclaimer - All covers and release dates were gathered from Amazon.

 

UPDATE - 12-03

Found a couple more good covers. Here is the last of the young adult dystopia, book 1 and 2 Swipe and Sneak, by Evan Angler. Storm's cover is great, and purple (nice color) and looks very exciting which was promised from the last book. The projected release date is May 7, 2013.

What list is complete without the third book in The Quest of Truth series by Brock Eastman, Unleash, releasing on June 14, 2013. The previous two books, Taken and Risk, were great and full of adventure. Book three looks just as wonderful and action filled, can't wait to see what else happens and how the story grows in its mystery of man's origins.

Just found this one today. The next book in the Helium-3 books, Crescent, by Homer Hickam, Jr. This series is like a dystopia but takes place on the moon. The first book, Crater, was pretty good and this one sounds interesting and the cover is cool. The book is scheduled to come out June 4, 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was surprised with this one. I whole heartily enjoyed Krista McGee's book, First Date, and so when I found this one I was excited. Anomaly sounds like a dystopia dealing with some genetics. Her books are usually contemporary but this sounds great and I am falling in love with dystopia. July 9, 2013 is the projected release date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awe. More books to get excited about. Can't wait for all of them. Will have to get each and every one of them and will review all of them (hopefully also a couple of giveaways containing these books). Anyways, hope you enjoyed the updated list and are excited as I am. Have a good day and chew on a good book.





Isle of Shadows

"Enslaved in a World

of Money and Power,

Tessa Dares to be Free."

Bookworm's Ranking - 4.5 Worms

Storyline - Tessa is a hetaera, a woman who is allowed and trained to accompany men to parties and entertain. But Tessa knows she is truly a slave to her master, Glaucas, and sees her only chance at freedom is through her death at the feet of Helios, the statue of the god in the harbor. But, when an accident causes Glaucas's death, she sees a chance to live and gain her freedom from men's uses of her. With the help of a Jewish servant, Simeon, and a mysterious man, Nikos, who is not like any man she has ever met, Tessa sets out to hid the death and escape Rhodes. But, a member of the government, Spiro, has a mind to over throw Rhodes democratic system and become king, even if it means taking a few lives to achieve it. His plan puts Tessa's arrangements in jeopardy and could seal her fate to continue in her painful life. The ground is shifting and things are about to fall in ways no one foresaw.

Author - Tracy L. Higley

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Age Group - 17 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Tessa is a hetaera and is often lusted after by man. Life has disappointed so much, Tessa wishes to feel nothing at all but learns of God's love and forgiveness. Nikos is an honorable man who respects women and does everything in his power to protect Tessa. Simeon is just awesome. Some men are creepy, lusting after women and others but nothing is detailed.

Personal Opinion - One of the most engaging books I have read this year. Isle of Shadows is a re-publication of Shadow of Colossus which completely took me back in time to Rhodes just before the earthquake that would topple the statue of Helios. Each character was wonderfully developed and grown throughout the novel (in the note at the end, the author mentions that she did a lot of editing before re-releasing this book and she did a fabulous job). Action, romance, suspense, and an engaging story filled these pages. One thing that I wish had been done differently was more of a build up before Tessa found God. It just seemed to quick for how few times she had been introduced to Him during the novel. But, loved the Seder Meal incorporated in the story. It made me think of the times I participated in them at my church. The stuff about redemption was great too. Highly recommend this book if you like ancient history, Christian fiction, and action/romance novels with wonderful storylines and terrific characters.

Read the "Story Behind the Story... And Beyond" at the end of the book, too. It has some great and quick facts of Rhodes and the statue as well as how Tracy Higley came to write the story.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher

Links - Tracy Higley's website
             Petra: City in Stone - Review

Special Notes - Previously published as Shadow of Colossus

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

To read, comment, and rate this and other reviews, stop by Bookworm

Extra! Extra!

Hey Bookwormers,

Was just wondering around on Amazon and guess what I saw... A new CHAOS Novel cover!

I know! This is so cool. I have enjoyed the first two books of this series and can't wait to read this. I am assuming it is book three because I haven't seen it before (and I have looked) and it doesn't say "Book 3" on amazon. Hope to learn more but it might be a while if amazon's projected release date it true (April 16, 2012). Anyway, wanted to share the cover and what have I have learned about it so far. If you want to take a look, here is the amazon page and, to tied you over, here are the reviews of the first two books, Invasion and Alienation. Commence drooling.

Behind but Planning :)

Welcome to Bookworm,

 

Unfortunately, no review will be published today because I'm behind in my reading with school keeping me busy as well as other life stuff. But, some good stuff is being worked on.

Currently, I am reading Isle of Shadows by Tracy Higley and A Hobbit Devotional by Ed Strauss as well as a few others (take a look at the side bar for a list of books I'm in the middle of, a few I am reading more dedicatedly than others at the moment). The month of December will host primarily Christmas books to celebrate the season more. I am also planning another giveaway so stay tuned!

So, if there is anything you would like to see on here or think of a genre that you want reviewed more on here, post a comment and let me know.

Have a lovely Sunday and chew on a good book!