Invasion by Jon S. Lewis

Genre- Juvenile Fiction/Science Fiction
Invasion (A C.H.O.A.S. Novel) by Jon S. Lewis
Series- A C.H.A.O.S. Novel, book 1
Published by- Thomas Nelson
Copyrighted- 2010
Number of pages- 321
Age Group- Young Adult
Description of Book- hardback, list price $14.99, ISBN 978-1-59554753-8
Extras- Reading Group Guide, CHAOS Sketchbook

Sixteen-year-old Colt McAllister moves to Arizona with his grandfather after his parents died in a tragic car accident. Fortunately he has Dani, a childhood friend and he quickly makes a new friend, Oz.

Trident Biotech, a company Colt has always been suspicious of may be responsible for his mother’s death. Mary, an investigative reporter, was on the verge of exposing a secret mind-control program.

Colt and his friends work on learning the truth and learn about a part of earth the average person doesn’t know: aliens, flying motorcycles and shapeshifters.


About the Author- Jon S. Lewis lives in Arizona with his family, where he writes for DC COMICS. He is also a coauthor of the Grey Griffins trilogy and Grey Griffins Clockwork Chronicles.

My Thoughts- After I read the book I wondered why Thomas Nelson published this book as it did not seem Christian and there were only a couple of questions in the reading group guide that dealt with morals.

I knew Jon S. Lewis had done some work for DC Comics and this book seemed like a comic without the pictures. The book reminded me of the movie, Men in Black. It had the secret society and beings from other worlds that befriended humans.

The joining of comic book theme with Colt’s life was genius. Reading comics is not really my thing. So, when I was able to “read” a comic book I thought it was super cool. I was able to imagine the Phantom Flyer, Thule soldiers and other characters.

I enjoyed reading this book and eagerly await the second installment coming in 2012. I recommend this book to young adults.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski

Genre- Christian Living/Practical Life/Contemporary Issues
Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski
Published by- WaterBrook Multnomah
Copyrighted- 2010
Number of pages- 235
Age Group- Older Teen/Adult
Description of book- paperback, list price $14.99, ISBN 978-1-59052-402-2
Extras- Epilogue to Updated and Expanded Edition and A Readers Q& A with Mike

Mike Yankoski and Sam Purvis have decided to become homeless for five months in Denver, Washington D.C., Portland, Phoenix and San Diego. They have many different experiences, from going hungry to having people give them food and money to their next town. One of Mike and Sam’s goals is to see if their faith in God is real. Will their journey change their lives? Will it change how you look at homelessness in the world?

About the author- Mike Yankoski and his wife live in Vancouver, Canada where they are graduate students. He is on the board of directors for World Vision U.S. and speaks regularly about responding to our world’s needs.

My thoughts- As I read this book my thoughts turned to a time when I was in England and saw a homeless man and his dog on a bridge on the way to the train station. I was in possession of a sandwich that I knew I wasn’t going to eat that day, so I decided to give it to the man. I felt really good that day about being able to help a person with more than just money.

When Mike and Sam were homeless the most important things they needed were shelter and food. It was very difficult for them to achieve both good shelter and good food. It especially surprised me how some of the churches were not willing to help those who truly needed it. The most interesting incident with a church occurred in Phoenix. It was unbelievable how they were kicked off the grounds. It was even more unbelievable when it was a director of a homeless outreach program.

I would recommend this book to everyone, because as a Christian we need to remember those who need our help.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the WaterBrook Multnomah “Blogging For Books” program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Starlighter by Bryan Davis

Genre- Christian Fantasy
Starlighter by Bryan Davis
Series- Dragons of Starlight, Book 1
Published by- Zondervan
Copyrighted- 2010
Number of pages- 400
Age Group- Young Adult, 13-16
Description of book- softcover, list price $9.99, ISBN 978-0-310-71836-9

Jason Masters and Koren live on two different worlds. Their worlds are filled with stories of legends of the other. Jason lives in a world with humans. Koren is a slave to the dragons on Dracon. Jason and Koren soon learn their worlds are joined together by a portal.

Jason, Elyssa and some of their friends find the portal and Koren find out she has a storytelling gift. They set forth and begin to free the slaves on Dracon. Will they succeed and what is the importance of the black egg?

About the author- Bryan Davis lives in western Tennessee where he lives with his wife and seven children. He has written the series, Dragons in Our Midst, Oracles of Fire, and Echoes from the Edge.

My thoughts- While this book was not allegorical or contain Bible verses, Starlighter was an adventure that shows right from wrong and ways that lead us to God.

I thought this book was well written, but it failed to completely capture me and hold me. I think it was because I did not quite connect with dragons having slaves.

As I was reading this book I was excited to learn how Jason and Elyssa were going to find the portal, how Koren was going to help her people escape Dracon and how it all related to their morals. Koren had a book of Code that was very important to the people and they used it as we use a Bible. Elyssa said, “liberty is Creator’s greatest gift- freedom from slavery to any and all things that keep us from reaching out to him.” This showed me that even though they are from different planets they showed good morals. It will be a fun wait for the next book to come out, to see how they continue to serve and protect people with their morals and codes.

Would I recommend? Yes, as long as you like dragons and adventure!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Sir Quinlan and the Sword of Valor by Chuck Black

Genre- Youth/Teen Fiction
Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor by Chuck Black
Series- The Knights of Arrethtrae, book 5, but it can be read independently of the series
Published by- WaterBrook Multnomah
Copyrighted- 2010
Number of pages- 189
Age Group- Youth/Teen
Description of book- paperback, list price $10.99, ISBN 978-1-60142-128-9
Extras- Discussion Questions and piano music for the “Ride of the Valiant” by Emily Elizabeth Black

Told from the perspective of Cedric of Chessington, Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor, is filled with knights, good and evil, and mystical creatures.

Quinlan, better known to his friends as Twitch (facial tic), is drawn further into the world of the Knights of the Prince, while his close friend Tav, draws away. Sir Baylor from the Swords of Valor Knights, Tav’s uncle, comes and Quinlan is chosen to go with him. When tragedy strikes the knights disband and Quinlan spends time wandering the kingdom. He meets a Silent Warrior, Taras, who helps him train in hopes that the Swords of the Valor Knights can rejoin and fight against the Dark Knight and his knights. Will Quinlan succeed? Read the book! You can read the first two chapters here.

About the author- Chuck Black is the author of the Kingdom series and Knights of Arithtrae series. He lives with his wife, Andrea and their five children in North Dakota.

My thoughts- Would I recommend? Yes. I recommend this book to people in the age group listed and also to adults, as the reader can learn about apathy through the use of allegory. Tav and Quinlan truly represent us as Christians and how we should join and be a part of the Prince’s army, by not just saying we are Christians, but truly being Christians.

My favorite part was when Taras tells Quinlan two lessons, “know who you are” and “know who you want to become.” I thought it was also important when Taras said, “The Prince sees you for not who you think you are, but for who He knows you are” These two lessons and what the Prince sees in us are very important for those who are apathetic.

I plan on acquiring the books in this series and the Kingdom Series, because I plan on using them as a teaching tool for my children.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the WaterBrook Multnomah “Blogging For Books” program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Jungle Warfare by Christopher A. Cunningham

Genre- Business & Economics/ Sales and Selling/ General
Title and Author-
Jungle Warfare: A Basic Field Manual for Christians in Sales by Christopher A. Cunningham
Published by- Thomas Nelson
Copyrighted- 2010
Number of pages- 211
Age Group- Adult- focuses on those in sales
Description of Book- hardback, list price $14.99, ISBN 978-1-5955-5147-4

Based on his grandfather’s World War II field manual, Christopher Cunningham has developed a field manual for Christians in sales. What you will do in this book is take the next 22 days and commit your sales to God. Each day should take around five minutes.

Each day you will:
1. Read a verse.
2. Review your battle plan for the day.
3. Offer a prayer.
4. Record your thoughts.
5. Write down your prayer requests.

Part two provides answers to questions asked by those in sales such as, “How does God feel about abundance?”

About the Author- Christopher Cunningham is a sales professional. He is a certified lay minister and is married with four children and a dog.

My Thoughts- I really enjoyed reading this book. The book would be an excellent source for anybody new to sales or seasoned professionals wanting to grow in God. While Jungle Warfare is focuses on sales, the information presented can apply to many areas of life such as general business and stay-at-home parents.

As a stay-at-home parent I would say that I can apply more than 50% of the daily lessons to my life and thus have a better relation ship with Christ. And since I am always on the go the short lessons fit my lifestyle.

Would I recommend? Yes, because this book showed me how to do a better job of living for Christ.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.