The Enchanted Attic by L.L. Samson

Genre- Juvenile Fiction/General

Series- The Enchanted Attic (Book 2)

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 192

Age Group- Tweens

Description of book- paperback, list price $7.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-72797-2

Inspired by Herman Melville and his 1851 novel, Moby Dick, Linus and Ophelia, 14-year-old twins, and their friend, Walter, meet Captain Ahab in their Enchanted Attic.

He is unlike Quasimodo, unhappy and temperamental.  As they try to change his focus from capturing and killing the great white whale, to gathering any whale oil to take home, they are in for some adventures.  He tries to take a boat, kill a wild cat, and learn how to navigate the internet.

Will the children be able to turn Captain Ahab’s focus away from the whale?

Excerpt from the Book!

About the author- L. L. Samson has been a co-author with her husband and has written over 25 books herself.

My thoughts- I thought this book was just as exciting as Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame.  Linus, Ophelia and Walter don’t have as much fun with Captain Ahab as they did with Quasimodo, but I think the kids learn how different people react to different situations.

I really liked Captain Ahab.  I was impressed at how well he adapted to and enjoyed today’s technology.  I’m glad he wanted to take some of the technology back, like having a flushing system on the Pequod.

I can see how some readers may not like the addition of another grownup, Aunt Portia, because it starts as kids only and then includes Father Lou.  I have a feeling though that they may both be needed in future stories.

I thought this book was great and I may just go read Moby Dick to see what happens to Captain Ahab.  Please check out this book.  The next book out will be Dueling with the Three Musketeers.

My Review for Book One-Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Saving Moby Dick by L.L. Samson for 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. All links were current when posted.

The Gospel of Yes by Mike Glenn

Genre- Adult

Published by- WaterBrook Multnomah

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 228

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, list price $14.99, ISBN 978-0-307-73047-3

Does God liberate you or limit you?  If we say yes more, like God does in the Bible then we know that God liberates us.

Mike Glenn show us the “yes” of God in this book.  We can learn the “yes” of destiny, authentic relationships, simplicity, and creation.

There is so much more to our lives than all the negativity that the world shows us.  And we need to make sure we focus on the yes and not the no.  And the included discussion questions will help us do that.

Excerpt from this book.

About the author- Mike Glenn and his wife have two married sons and he is the senior pastor of Brentwood Baptist church in Tennessee.  His blog is www.truthfulconversations.com.

My thoughts- God and our contemporary society are at such odds.  God is so much about yes and our society is about no.  Until I read this book, I was following our society and always focusing on everything negative.  We need to not focus on our sins and we need to commit always to YES.

Some parts of the book seemed to go on and on, but I think it was because Mike Glenn was making sure that I knew the power of “yes.”  “Yes” is so positive and we need to make sure we follow that instead of getting sucked back into all the “no’s” of this world.

This book is important for us to read, because we need to focus on “Yes.”  Please pick up a copy, so you can focus on the “yes” like I can now.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Gospel of Yes by Mike Glenn for 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.

We Need Invisible Cloaks

As I read Colossians 3:12 (Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. KJV) today I was struck by the fact that we are holy now that we have chosen God and Jesus. 

As we are holy we need to make sure we act holy towards others.  And when I looked at the second half of the verse, I decided that I need to be wearing an invisible cloak.  This cloak needs to be made of mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness, and longsuffering.  That cloak needs to stay wrapped around me from head to toe covering everything but my eyes.  I especially need it over my mouth, so I can make sure that all of those characteristics are coming from my mouth, not anger, malice, etc.  I need my eyes uncovered, because I need to be able to see how my actions are treating others and what can be done differently.  I am going to pray daily that my cloak is on.

How many of you have your cloaks on today?

The Reason by William Sirls

Genre- Fiction/Christian/General

Published by- Thomas Nelson

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 408

Age Group- Adult

Description of Book- paperback, list price $12.99, ISBN 978-1-4016-8736-6

 

A debut novel, this book begins with a storm over St. Thomas Church and then it continues with the storms of life in the local town.

The church’s large wooden cross is destroyed by a bolt of lightning and the members begin to lose their faith.  Some of the people like Macey Lewis and Brooke are told, “only believe.”  And that is very difficult for both of them as they work to save the life of Alex, Brooke’s son.  He has leukemia.

Macey, Zach, and other in the town are compelled by the phrase.

What will happen to their faith?

Author- William Sirls is the father of two and currently lives in Michigan. 

My Thoughts- I’m not sure what to think about this book.  I thought this book was creepy, in both a good way and a bad way.  It seemed to vary from one part of the book to another.  It’s a feeling I can’t really explain.

I wasn’t really sure about the character of Kenneth.  I didn’t think it was right to have a character that represented Jesus here on earth.  Kenneth was a carpenter and he performed miracles around town.  Jesus won’t becoming back as a person, so I think he never should have been represented as a person.

I didn’t like Alex having leukemia.  I would enjoy reading a book other than a romance that had healthy people.  I get tired of reading about sick or dying people.

I didn’t like this book, because of the representation of Jesus and Alex’s illness.  Read this book and tell me what you think.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Reason by William Sirls for free from the publisher through the BookSneeze 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.

Haflings by Heather Burch

Genre- Teen Fiction/Christian/Fantasy
Series- Haflings (Book 1)
Published by- Zondervan
Copyrighted- 2012
Number of pages- 288
Age Group- 15 and up
Description of book- hardcover, list price $14.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-72818-4
Haflings.  Hell hounds.  Evil Scientists.  Suspicious godfather.  Nikki Youngblood gets all of those things at one time. 
The Haflings (Raven, Mace, and Vine) are sent to protect Nikki from the evils that lie ahead.  Mace and Raven both like her, but a relationship with her is forbidden.  Nikki does her best to not have a relationship with either of them, but that proves difficult as she is often in danger.
What will she do?
About the author-  Heather Burch currently lives in Florida with her husband and sons.  She loves fiction and has learned that writing is her hearts desire.
My thoughts- I’m not sure what I think about the Haflings, but I do like Nikki Youngblood.  It is refreshing to find a female character who doesn’t fall for every guy who pays attention to her.  Nikki is also resourceful and knows what she wants, so she goes and gets it.
It was Mace and Raven, the Hafling teen boys, that were more focused on romance that they should have been.  I don’t think that teen boys should be portrayed as love sick boys.  It doesn’t show us how young men should act towards young women.  It doesn’t set a good example for young women as well, because young women need strong young men.
I enjoyed all the action from the hell hounds attacking to a godfather that Nikki doesn’t trust.  I liked this book and I hope you do too.
Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Haflings by Heather Burch for 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.  All links were current when posted.

The Blessed Church: The Simple Secret to Growing the Church You Love by Robert Morris

Genre- Adult

Published by- WaterBrook Multnomah

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 211

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- hardback, list price $19.99, ISBN 978-0-307-72973-6

Written for both lay members and church leaders this books looks at the different qualities that a healthy church contains.  Each chapter contains “Keys to a Blessed Church” which tie the chapters together and help readers to learn what goes into a healthy church.

Some sections in this book are:

• “The Gateway Story”
• “Blessed Vision”
• “Blessed Shepherds”
• “Blessed Leaders”
• “Blessed Government”
• “Blessed Church Culture”

About the author- Robert Morris has been married to Debbie for more than 30 years and have three children and grandchildren.  He has written a number of different books and is the founding senior pastor of Gateway Church.

My thoughts- I thought this book was spectacular. 

Robert Morris has a blessed church, which is evident from the growth of his church and the structure which has been set up to protect it.  As a lay person it is important, because I can learn how my church is doing.  The information in this book is even more important for pastors and elders, and those who are involved in the daily running of the church.

I never knew that a pastor didn’t have to do everything for everyone and that one of the most important parts was in preparing the sermon for the week.  I also thought the information about Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, telling Moses how to delegate his responsibilities in Exodus 18 was interesting.

I think this book is a must for everyone from the lay member to the pastor to learn how an effective church operates.  Please pick up a copy today. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Blessed Church by Robert Morris for 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.

Jackson: The Iron-Willed Commander by Paul Vickery

Genre- History/Military/General

Published by- Thomas Nelson

Series- The Generals

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 235

Age Group- Adult and younger

Description of Book- hardback, list price $19.99, ISBN 978-1-5955-5454-3

Andrew Jackson was a husband, bureaucrat, and general in the early 1800’s.

Paul Vickery uses quotes from various people in Andrew Jackson’s life which gives a better picture of his life.  This book focuses on Jackson’s life as a military leader from the War of 1812 to the uprisings against the Creeks, Choctaws, Cherokees, Chickasaws, and Seminoles.  As a general he always stood by his troops and did what they did.  He was a man who never changed his mind and could be quite unforgiving.

He was “Old Hickory.”

Author- Paul Vickery is an ordained minister, Professor of History at Oral Roberts University, and presents historical characters in a Chautauqua format.  He and his wife enjoy travel

My Thoughts- I liked this book better than some of the other books I have read in the series, because of the attention to using quotes from Andrew Jackson and the people he knew during his lifetime.  It was especially nice that Paul Vickery mentioned it in the prologue.  That was when I knew that I was going to enjoy the rest of the book and I did.

I must say that I really learned a lot about early American history from this book.  I didn’t remember reading about Jackson’s involvement with the removal American Indians in my history textbooks in school.  It mentioned that many still don’t like him and I don’t blame them.

I was really excited when I was looking in the back of the book and I saw a list of the other books in the series. 

I really enjoyed this book.  Go pick up a copy today! 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Jackson: The Iron-Willed Commander by Paul Vickery for free from the publisher through the BookSneeze 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.