The Clouds Roll Away by Sibella Giorello

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon unravels mysteries in her hometown of Richmond where things are never quite what they seem.


Raleigh's exemplary service in Seattle opened the door for her disciplinary transfer to be lifted, allowing her to return to her home FBI field office in Richmond, VA. A civil rights case turns out to be much more complex than anyone thought when Raleigh is forced to go undercover in a drug trafficking case.

Things aren't any simpler at home. Raleigh's old friend DeMott wants her to find time for things outside of her FBI work: friendship and maybe something more. Raleigh will have to rely on her sharpest skills--and the faith that is slowly returning to her--to navigate her way through these clouds.



 ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Sibella Giorello grew up in Alaska and majored in geology at Mount Holyoke College. After riding a motorcycle across the country, she worked as a features writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her stories have won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. She now lives in Washington state with her husband and sons.




 MY REVIEW
In all honesty, I kept putting this book down on my TBR piles because I was leery about "Book #3". It seems like many times as you go farther into a series the books get boring, authors sometimes try to hard to make a series and by doing so they kill the story.

NOT THE CASE with Sibella Giorello!

I found myself on another great adventure with Raleigh Harmon. Once I picked up The Clouds Roll Away, I wasn't able to put it down for long and completed it rather quickly.

I enjoyed the twist in the case toward the end of the book. I was not expecting it, but I was not too surprised.

I have read each book in the Raleigh Harmon series and have enjoyed all of them. My favorite still is Book 1, The Stones Cry Out.

You will NOT be disappointed by this series and by Giorello's writing style and story lines.





 

 The Legal Stuff: This book was provided by BookSneeze.

What's in the Bible: Wanderin'in the Desert by Phil Vischer

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
In What’s In the Bible #3, Wanderin’ in the Desert, Buck Denver and his cast of friends take us through the next three books of the Bible—Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy—helping kids understand how these books fit in with Genesis and Exodus to make up the Pentateuch and to set the stage for the trials and victories of God’s people. The question “Did this stuff really happen?” is also answered. 
From the man who made vegetables talk (and sing and dance and tell Bible stories) comes this third release in the engaging new series that walks kids through the entire Bible! Each DVD is filled with an entertaining cast of characters who bring the most powerful Bible stories to life using humor, creative storytelling, and fun songs. Join VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer on a wild and zany journey and see the world’s most amazing book come to life.

MY REVIEW
I've enjoyed the first three DVDs in this series.

The change from talking vegetables in Veggies Tales to puppets is a good change for Phil Vischer. (Though I do love Veggies Tales...If you have watched Veggies Tales, you can see the similarities between Veggie Tales and What's in the Bible. This is not by any means a bad thing, it is just something I thought I'd mention.)

I like the What's in the Bible series because the title is exactly what it is doing: teaching kids about what is in the Bible.

It is not just teaching kids a bunch of stories from the Bible, it is teaching the kids what the Bible is and what can be found in it. It gives the kids the basic foundations of where the Bible came from and I love that Phil feels that God has given him a second go-round at the call He placed on his life!

My kids have been able to watch, read and follow along with the crazy puppets and answer my questions about the Bible afterwards. I love that they are leaning more than just the story of Moses, but they are learning the history behind why God called Moses.

I plan to collect this entire series! It will be one that I will suggest to our children's church leaders to examine and use as needed to really instill the information in the kids.

You can find useful information and more resources at www.JellyTelly.com. There are videos clips, games and other resources for parents and adults. Check it out!

Want to find out more?  Check out the website www.whatsintehbible.com or www.tyndale.com to learn more.  You can also follow @whatsinthebible on Twitter or check them out on Facebook.


Check out my reviews of DVD #1 & #2!

 

 The Legal Stuff: This book was provided by Tyndale.

Zero to Christian in 35 Years by Lori A. Moore

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Do you think church isn't the place for you or that it's too late for you to give your life to Christ? In her book From Zero to Christian in Just 35 Years new author Lori A. Moore shows us that nothing in the past will keep God from loving us. Trusting God can be scary, especially when confronted with complex and formal language. Through this simple and easy going guide to finding God, inexperienced Christians will learn to emerge from doubt and fear into the peace and comfort that can only be found in Christ. Follow Lori as she goes From Zero to Christian in Just 35 Years. This book is really an eye-opener to the Christian and non-Christian alike. It tells us that we don't have to be perfect to receive the grace and salvation of Jesus Christ - we just have to accept it. Lori A. Moore helps us realize that God loves us for who we are, his children. - Susan Curtis, Single Parent I found this book to be very insightful. Reading Lori A. Moore's thoughts made me search my own thoughts and feelings about God and my relationship with him. - Joyce Goldman, Retired Lori A. Moore resides in Louisville, Kentucky with her husband, Michael, and their three cats. She teaches university both in the classroom and online, and has a passion for adults who have not yet experienced a relationship with Christ.



 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lori A. Moore teaches college both online as well as in her hometown of Louisville, KY where she lives with her husband Michael and their three cats. Lori has a passion for adults who haven't yet experienced a relationship with Christ because everything they've heard is kind of formal and scary. She tries to write with humor and on a down-to-earth level that people can relate to and understand.

An avid traveller, she has visited all 50 states in the U.S. as well as 26 other countries. Her most recent trip was to Cuba and her next trip will include Italy, Croatia, Turkey, and Greece.

Lori is also an amateur photographer and volunteer photo-journalist. She recently won 3 photo contests for photos of humorous observations.

 MY REVIEW
I really enjoyed Lori's testimony. I met Christ at age 12, and though my life has had it's up downs, mountain tops and valleys, I've always had an faith in God to fall back on, even when I denied or walked away from Him.

Lori's journey was an eye-opener into what some people really go through in their journey to find Christ.


  The Legal Stuff: This book was provided by _____.

Something Fun... Just for You!

A while back I felt God tell me that I was to help the Children's Pastor with VBS. I approached her to find out that she was not going to be able to organize one this year due to being a new single parent due to the sudden death of her husband last fall, going back to school and raising three daughter.

I walked out of the church that morning saying; "Okay God! I tried, but we aren't having one so I guess I can't help!"

Yeah Right!

For weeks I felt really strong that VBS needed to happen. I fought with God, then one Sunday the    

   pastor preached a message that was God speaking directly to me...

OKAY! I GIVE IN. I'LL DO IT!!

I called the Pastor Monday afternoon and told him that God had been speaking to me to organize VBS. And with three weeks to plan, advertise, write the lessons, order the crafts and gather volunteers God used this broken vessel to minister to the kids who will be joining us tomorrow, Friday and Saturday!

It's been a humbling and exciting experience. This is the first VBS I've planned. Normally, I take my kids and help serve a snack or something while there... never plan it start to finish! 

THE TREAT FOR YOU:

My girls are helping me make the actions for the VBS songs. We are using mostly Hillsong Kids songs and one kids song by Jennifer Shaw. Here are two songs so far. The others to be posted later!

Hope you enjoy watching as much as we did doing it!

ABOUT OUR VBS

Our VBS is called Faithful Sidekicks and teaches the kids about Esther, Joshua and Jesus and how each were used by God because they were faithful.

It invited the kids to join the adventure and become a a Faithful Sidekick that God can use.

I am willing to share all the resources that I created for this VBS. Just sent me an email titled VBS. 

Help our school... and a GIVEAWAY!

Kohls is giving away $500,000 to 20 schools across the nation!

Each FB user gets 20 votes! You can vote for any schools you want!

So.....

Please vote for my kids school and then leave a comment say you did!

I'll draw a random winner 

who will receive a 3 pack of books 

(your choice from a list I provide)

and a 'SURPRISE' prize !!!!

(Um... wonder what it will be!!)

I have a few votes left... 

after you vote, 

leave the name of your school here on my blog in a comment

and I will randomly pick some schools to vote for!

Voting ends September 3, 2010!
Random Drawing will take place on or around September 3, 2010!

The Bishop by Steven James

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers's cutting-edge 21st-century geospatial investigative techniques and impeccable logic have helped him track some of the country's most grisly killers. But those skills are pushed to the limit in this new installment of the highly-acclaimed, award-winning The Bowers Files series. This time it's a congressman's daughter who is found dead even as her killers launch a spree of perfect murders in the Northeast. With nothing to link the crimes to each other, Agent Bowers faces his most difficult case yet--even as his personal life begins to crumble around him. Known for his intricately woven, masterfully plotted novels of high-octane action and spine-tingling suspense, Steven James delivers once again. The Bishop is a gripping, adrenaline-laced story for readers who are tired of timid thrillers. Strap on your seatbelt and get ready for a wild ride. The game is on.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Steven James is one of the nation's most innovative storytellers.

Since developing his skill as a performer at East Tennessee State University (MA in Storytelling), he has spoken more than 1,500 times throughout North America and has taught creative storytelling and writing in South Africa, Ukraine, Canada, Kazakhstan and India.

Don't forget to join us tonight on Facebook!!!

 MY REVIEW

Though I have not read any of the other books in this series, I did not feel lost at all. This title can easily be read alone, but I plan to get my paws on the first three books because this one was so good. So do yourself a favor, just start at the beginning!

I was drawn to read this book because my husband has recently discovered James Patterson mysteries and I read somewhere that Steven James had a similar style, so I thought I'd check it out.

The Bishop was a fast-paced, well-written murder mystery. It's twisting plots and well-developed characters make this book one you won't be able to easily but down. because of the number of pages, 520, this was not one I was able to read in one sitting, but nonetheless I would of if I physically could have!

I will be ordering the first three books in this series and I will (un)patiently await book #5, set to release Summer 2011.



 
 The Legal Stuff: This book was provided by Baker Publishing Group.

One Minute Sermon--- Check this out!

There is nothing left to say- she said it all!!


 

Keeping Her in the Light by Nicole Fuentes

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

First there was darkness…

A seemingly typical young woman wakes up to find herself in the dark. She does not know how she got there; she does not know why she is there. She feels for a light switch, thinking the light will ease her tension—thinking the light will make things better.

Then there was light.

Death is only an instant. What she sees in the once white room is way past death itself. Realization sets in. The answers to the “how” and the “why” cease to be vague, and it is made clear that escape is out of the question. For a puzzling madman holds her captive, and only he can provide her with her freedom. Only he can grant it because only he has the key.

Now there is only a decision.

He will kill her only if she is able to prove the existence of a certain syndrome. In the meantime, he settles for torture. Escape is not possible, and there are only two different ways of ending this madman’s reign: Kill him or stay alive.

Staying alive requires tolerance to pain and despair. It asks of her a precise resistance to a syndrome–one she knows nothing about. If she doesn’t die, he doesn’t search for his next victim. If she doesn’t die, no one else has to.

Killing him vanquishes all hopes of freedom, for the key will die with him. Killing is just another form of murder. Murder will make her the one monster she swore she would never be: The same beast responsible for building a definite barrier on the line that divides past from present to possible future. One who has silenced her past forever.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nicole Fuentes, a teen from the Philippines, is new to the writing scene and I can imagine her becoming a Best-Seller soon!


 MY REVIEW

I am not a huge fan of pyscho-thiller because to be honest with ya, I let my mind run away from me way to often and I know that it is important for me to keep my mind on good things, like the things that are lovely, pure, of good report, etc (like Gal 5 says).

I was given the opportunity to read Nicole's novella and I was blown away. I was captivated and read the book in one sitting! I could not put it down. I was intrigued by the developing relationship between the killer and Allie (the main character). Nicole successfully revealed the many sides of the killer, including his sick and twisted mind.

This violently graphic novella is more than just a thriller, Nicole intertwines many conversations of Allie and her killer that not only show both of their personalities and beliefs, but also teaches the reader a little something about life, family and self.

Keeping Her in the Light is a  riveting thiller and is exceptionally well written and is captivating novella that is clean, fresh and deep. I recommend this to psycho-thiller lovers everywhere.

Nicole has a deep mind, a clean and captivating writing style and I see her going far with her talents.


NOTE TO ME CHRISTIAN READERS:
Most of you that have been regular readers know that I seldom, hardly ever stray from the Christian genre in both reading and reviewing. I was drawn to this book because though it was not a "Christian" author or book, it was clean of language and sex. At parts is was very detailed in violence, so if that kind of thing bothers you, I suggest you skip this book.

Thanks for understanding my heart, and please know that I do not plan to change my genres of reviews from the Christian and clean reads.

Many Blessings,
SuperMom




 

 The Legal Stuff: This book was provided by the author.