Ten Years

Ten years ago, my entire world was turned upside down in an instant.
Ten years ago, the world lost a good man.
Ten years later, he’s still remembered, loved and appreciated by many.

And really, the only good thing in it was that we all knew he had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and we’d see him again in Heaven.

But it says a lot about a person when they’re still missed by many ten years down the track…

I struggled with God then and I still struggle with Him now. I don’t know why it happened and I probably never will.

But I thank Him for another good man to love me equally as well and for the beautiful children I never thought I’d have.

And even though sometimes the road seems never-endingly hard, I know the road to God is the only road worth walking.

Review: Sky Zone by Creston Mapes

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Sky Zone

David C. Cook (June 1, 2014)

by

Creston Mapes

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Creston has fond memories of his boyhood in Bath, Ohio, where he became enchanted with his future wife, way back in the fourth grade. His father, Bernie, owned and operated The Weathervane Furniture Shop in town. The whole family lived right upstairs in the century-old house known as “The Shop.”

Creston studied journalism at Bowling Green State University, then began his writing career. During the past 30 years, he has worked as a reporter, corporate copywriter, creative director, freelance writer, and author.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A rally for a controversial presidential candidate.

A terrorist threat.

A nightmare of cataclysmic proportions.

Jack and Pamela Crittendon have hit the breaking point. After months out of work as a reporter, Jack is playing Mr. Mom and working part-time at Festival Arena with his survivalist friend Brian Shakespeare. Meanwhile, Pamela has gone back to work full-time while eight months pregnant. Having her recently widowed mother on hand isn’t making matters any easier.
With financial pressures boiling, Jack reports for duty at a rally for controversial presidential candidate Martin Sterling where he expects a mindless night on the job. But when Homeland Security picks up intel about a potential terrorist threat, Jack and Shakespeare are thrust into a life-or-death battle to save their own lives–and the lives of thousands of innocent people.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Sky Zone, go HERE.

My thoughts: I have the first two books in this series so was stoked to see this third one on offer as well. It unfortunately only arrived this week so I haven’t been able to finish it in time for the tour but I am expecting to enjoy it no less than the other two! If you haven’t read any of the series, I recommend checking them out!

Review: Lip Reading by Harry Kraus

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Lip Reading

David C. Cook (March 1, 2014)

by

Harry Kraus

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Harry:

I started writing my first novel during my last year of surgery training at UK. I was a chief resident, and started writing Stainless Steal Hearts in a call room at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Lexington. It was a crazy time to write! I had a very demanding schedule, often spending days and nights in the hospital. I had two sons at that time, and I recognized the wisdom in my wife’s urging: “Now doesn’t seem the right time for this dream.”

My experience as a writer is far from typical. Having received my formal training in biology and chemistry and medicine, my only preparation for a writing career was a love for reading. The longest thing I’d written before my first novel was a term paper in undergraduate school. My first novel was accepted by Crossway Books and published in 1994, and it wasn’t until after I had FOUR published novels that I even opened a book of instruction about the craft of writing fiction. This is not what I recommend to others! Yes, I was successful, but I was bending the “rules” without knowing it. I had a natural talent for plotting, but I realize my initial success may have stunted my growth as a writer. I’d have made faster progress if I’d have gone to the fiction teachers sooner.

I have three sons: Joel, Evan, and Samuel. Look closely in all of my books and you’ll see them there. My lovely wife, Kris, provides the basic composition for all those beautiful, athletic, dedicated women in my novels.

ABOUT THE BOOK

She Could Save Millions, or Save Herself

She just needs a little longer. She’s really close. Dr. Rebecca Jackson, a medical researcher, stands on the verge of a breakthrough that will transform medicine. But she soon discovers the reason behind the miraculous progress in her research, and it leaves her with a nearly impossible choice . . . and little time to decide. More than her research is at stake. And more threatens it than this latest revelation. Something she’s tried hard to cover up. There is a high cost to some things in medicine and it’s not always the patient who pays. Can Rebecca find the faith and wisdom she needs to make the right call? The clock is ticking and the pressure is on.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Lip Reading, go HERE.

My thoughts: I only just got this book and managed to sit down and read the whole thing today. 🙂 I think I currently own every Kraus book! It was a really good and riveting read. There were a lot of things that I didn’t see coming which is always a plus–the back cover doesn’t give much away at all. The interview with the author at the back of the book was a great addition too and answered a couple of questions I had. I highly recommend reading any of Harry Kraus’ books if you like a bit of suspense and/or medical themes.

2013

A new year. Yay! The last 2 1/2 years have been filled with a lot of hard stuff for us and this new year finds us facing a calendar with the biggest, hardest things actually CROSSED OFF it! We are unspeakably stoked and optimistic about a simple year ahead…finally. We are also (or rather, I am) much more encouraged about the power of God and His movement in our circumstances. I am actually facing a new year positively. Bring on 2013! =)

Review: All Things New by Lynn Austin

My thoughts:

Unfortunately, I haven’t got to read this book yet but I do like Lynn Austin’s writing. I think I own most of her books! To find out more, click here.

Review: Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson

My thoughts:

Actually, my sister read this book for me so the following are HER thoughts…

I loved the book! Dee Henderson is currently my favorite author. Her books are highly detailed mysteries that keep me thinking the whole way through. This one was no exception! As she weaves family and friends together she is also keeping the Lord involved in he decisions throughout that the characters must make. This makes it so much more enjoyable! I love a book that has me actively trying to “stay ahead of the game” and highly recommend them.

My mum is also currently reading this book and loving it too. She is also a big Dee Henderson fan. 🙂 And now I am REALLY looking forward to getting this book into my own hands!!d

To find out  more, click here.

A Grandfather’s Last Letter to His Grandkids

Our pastor’s wife e-mailed this to us, after seeing it on Sunrise. Other than #16 being irrelevant to anybody not Irish, it has a lot of good, pithy advice. If only more of this passing wisdom from generation-to-generation was being done!

Dear Ryan, Conor, Brendan, Charlie, and Mary Catherine,

My wise and thoughtful daughter Rachel urged me to write down some advice for you, the important things that I have learned about life. I am beginning this on 8 April 2012, the eve of my 72nd birthday.

1. Each one of you is a wonderful gift of God both to your family and to all the world. Remember it always, especially when the cold winds of doubt and discouragement fall upon your life.

2. Be not afraid . . . of anyone or of anything when it comes to living your life most fully. Pursue your hopes and your dreams no matter how difficult or “different” they may seem to others. Far too many people don’t do what they want or should do because of what they imagine others may think or say. Remember, if they don’t bring you chicken soup when you’re sick or stand by you when you’re in trouble, they don’t matter. Avoid those sour-souled pessimists who listen to your dreams then say, “Yeah, but what if . . .” The heck with “what if. . .” Do it! The worst thing in life is to look back and say: “I would have; I could have; I should have.” Take risks, make mistakes.

3. Everyone in the world is just an ordinary person. Some people may wear fancy hats or have big titles or (temporarily) have power and want you to think they are above the rest. Don’t believe them. They have the same doubts, fears, and hopes; they eat, drink, sleep, and fart like everyone else. Question authority always but be wise and careful about the way you do it.

4. Make a Life List of all those things you want to do: travel to places; learn a skill; master a language; meet someone special. Make it long and do some things from it every year. Don’t say “I’ll do it tomorrow” (or next month or next year). That is the surest way to fail to do something. There is no tomorrow, and there is no “right” time to begin something except now.

5. Practice the Irish proverb: Moi an olge agus tiocfaidh sí “Praise the child and she will flourish.”

6. Be kind and go out of your way to help people — especially the weak, the fearful, and children. Everyone is carrying a special sorrow, and they need our compassion.

7. Don’t join the military or any organization that trains you to kill. War is evil. All wars are started by old men who force or fool young men to hate and to kill each other. The old men survive, and, just as they started the war with pen and paper, they end it the same way. So many good and innocent people die. If wars are so good and noble, why aren’t those leaders who start wars right up there fighting?

8. Read books, as many as you can. They are a wonderful source of delight, wisdom, and inspiration. They need no batteries or connections, and they can go anywhere.

9. Be truthful.

10. Travel: always but especially when you are young. Don’t wait until you have “enough” money or until everything is “just right.” That never happens. Get your passport today.

11. Pick your job or profession because you love to do it. Sure, there will be some things hard about it, but a job must be a joy. Beware of taking a job for money alone — it will cripple your soul.

12. Don’t yell. It never works, and it hurts both yourself and others. Every time I have yelled, I have failed.

13. Always keep promises to children. Don’t say “we’ll see” when you mean “no.” Children expect the truth; give it to them with love and kindness.

14. Never tell anyone you love them when you don’t.

15. Live in harmony with Nature: go into the outdoors, woods, mountains, sea, desert. It’s important for your soul.

16. Visit Ireland. It’s where the soul of our family was born — especially the West: Roscommon, Clare, and Kerry.

17. Hug people you love. Tell them how much they mean to you now; don’t wait until it’s too late.

18. Be grateful. There is an Irish saying: “This is a day in our lives, and it will not come again.” Live every day with this in mind.

Review: The Bridesmaid by Beverly Lewis

**With apologies for the late posting! We have so much happening in our lives at the moment requiring a lot of mental energy that my brain feels fried. I actually organised a dinner the other night for a weekend that I won’t even be around!! I didn’t even realise until hours after I sent out the final confirmation e-mail… :-/**

My thoughts:

Actually, these are my sister’s thoughts as she read the book for me. 🙂 “This is a good read, showing that God has a plan for each of our lives, even when we can’t see the direction the path is headed…and ultimately we must place our trust in Him. It’s also a story of forgiveness, and moving on.” To read this book around her crazy life of 6 kids, she must really love me–and to finish it, she must have really loved the book, lol! Beverly Lewis always seems to provide a good read and I requested this book purely because her name was on the cover. I will look forward to reading it myself when I get it back. 🙂

Review: A Sweethaven Homecoming by Courtney Walsh

My thoughts:

I really liked this book! Unfortunately, I hadn’t read the first book (hadn’t realised it was a series) and didn’t have time to get hold of it before needing to read this one, but it was still a very good read. I’m going to buy the first book now so that I have the background on this story. 🙂 I loved all the intertwining stories. To be honest, I thought the book might be a bit cheesy but it was really heartwarming with a gritty down-to-earth feel.

All Good Things Must Come to an End

Today, after quite a few years, I have relinquished my membership to FIRST Wild Card Tours. 😦 (And in writing this, I just realised that I have been in breach of the rules for quite some time by not having their banner up…oops!!!!!!!) I have been a part of FIRST for at least 5 years and I have got many, many free books out of the partnership. 😀

This is the start of slowly figuring out what I am doing with reviewing and blogging now that I am not only a wife but also a mother. While I was a step-mother from day one of being married, it’s a whole different ball-game having littles at home compared to a schoolie off at school (obviously). My computer time is severely limited but mostly due to the fact that my laptop died (ages ago).

However, while I was considering giving up blogging and reviewing altogether…and then only considering continuing to blog to keep the free books coming…now I have decided to cut back on the reviewing groups I’m involved in and rethink how I can re-establish blogging. I still “need to read” (however, I can do it without a blog!) but I also still “need to write”, I’ve discovered. I just need to figure out how and where and when that will continue.

For now, I am still a member of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance (CFBA). FIRST Wild was first to go (no pun intended) purely because I’m finding very few hard-copy books available to me here in Australia now. However, they are a great group offering many great books and if you are in the US, I totally recommend you check them out!