Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!  I hope you are having a wonderful day celebrating the life Jesus has given us.  Enjoy your day and I looking forward to write more to you later!

A Conversation with God by Alton Gansky

Genre- Religion/Christian Life/General

A Conversation with God- If You Could Ask God Any Question, What Would It Be? by Alton Gansky

Published by- Thomas Nelson

Copyrighted- 2010

Number of pages- 304

Age Group- Adult/Older Teen

Description of Book- paperback, list price $15.99, ISBN 978-0-7852-3165-3

Extras- Extensive Notes section

Have you ever had question that you wanted to ask God, but you didn’t know where to go?

A Conversation with God, covers 55 of what may be the most commonly asked questions.  Divided into five sections, the 55 questions are answered by God, Jesus and other key figures in biblical history.

Some questions are:

“Is being unique good or bad?”

“How can we experience peace?”

“What should our political role be?”

About the Author- Alton Gansky has been a firefighter, Baptist minister, and writer of more than 20 books.  He has been a Christy Award finalist and an Angel Award winner.  Alton Gansky lives in California. 

My Thoughts-

I thought this book was well researched and written.  There were several areas I did not agree on.  One was going to heaven after you die.  The other was about what happens in hell.  Considering there are many different ways to view the Bible, having only 2 differences was remarkable to me. 

God and Jesus answer most of the questions in this book, which was great, but the addition of of people from the Bible really added an interesting aspect.  I enjoyed learning more about God from their perspective.  Their addition really helped to make this book interesting for me.  I don’t think I would have enjoyed this book as much as I did without them.

I would recommend this book to those who have questions for God, but don’t know where to look.

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.

Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs

Genre- Women, Bible Study

Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs

Published by- WaterBrook Multnomah

Copyrighted- 2007

Number of pages- 276

Age Group- Adult/Teen

Description of book- softcover, list price $14.99, ISBN 978-1-57856-125-4

Extras- Study Guide, Chat with Liz

There are different types of women in the Bible, both good and bad.  Liz Curtis Higgs has decided to focus this book on the “bad” women.  This book focuses on Eve, Potiphar’s wife, Delilah, Lot’s wife, Michal, Sapphira, Jezebel, woman at the well, Rahab and the sinful woman.  These women were each “bad” in their own ways.

Bad Girls of the Bible explains each of these women and the discussion at the end of each chapter enables the reader to explore more.

About the author-  Liz Curtis Higgs is an author of 26 books and has spoken to audiences all over the world.  She has received a Christy Award and Grace in Thine Eyes was one of the Top Five Best Christen Fiction by Library Journal in 2006.  Her website is www.LizCurtisHiggs.com

My thoughts-

I thought this was an awesome book.  I really enjoyed reading the modern story, the biblical story, and the short study section at the end of each chapter. 

My favorite part of each chapter was the study section.  I know there is a little bit of a “bad” girl in me, so I knew it was important to use the lessons learned and questions to delve into my own life to make sure that I learned from these women of the past.  I know I have learned from these women, so I can be a “good” girl.

This is a book that all women should read, so they know that God is still there for them.  Women can learn from the past to do better in the future.

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.

The Coming Storm by Ben Avery

Genre- Graphic novel, Juvenile fiction, Religious, Christian

The Coming Storm from the series Kingdoms: A Biblical Epic story by Ben Avery and art by Mat Broome

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2007

Number of pages- 160

Age Group- 13-16

Description of book- softcover, list price $6.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-71353-1

Extra-  www.zgraphicnovels.com where you can learn more about all the books in the series and also different series.

Based upon 1st and 2nd Kings and 1st and 2nd Chronicles, the Kingdoms series is base upon an advisor names Iddo and his descendants.  Iddo does his best to stay loyal to the memory of King Josiah, keep Judah faithful to God, and protect his own family.

In The Coming Storm, King Josiah of Judah attacks the Egyptian army, which is crossing Judah on their way to help Assyria fight Babylon.  Iddo watches as a disguised King Josiah charges into battle.  Will the king die?  And what will happen to the country if he does die?

Please visit these links to learn more about the book and ZGraphic Novels.  Here is a Sample of chapter one.  Here is an Interview describing the Graphic Novels.

About the author-  Ben Avery teaches high school, writes comic and plays, and helps in children’s ministry.  He also writes the TimeFlyz series.

About the illustrator-  Mat Broome has illustrated many comic books such as Batman and X-Men.  He volunteers to teach kids and has won an award for his dedication. 

My thoughts-

I have always avoided reading the ever popular graphic novels, but when I learned that there were Christian graphic novels, I decided I would give them a try.

The graphic novels are in the “manga” style, which is Japanese term for “comic”  These books are unlike the comics I grew up with as they are published in black and white with strong artwork and emotions in a book format.

I would agree that there is strong artwork and emotions in the manga style, but I had a difficult time figuring out who each person was as they looked so much the same.  It would have helped if the person speaking would say the name of the person they were speaking to.  I did think the basic storyline was good

I would recommend The Coming Storm, because graphic novels are becoming more popular.  As graphic novels become more popular it will be more important than ever to have Christian graphic novels for people to read.

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.

Zealous Love by Mike and Danae Yankoski

Genre- Religion/Christian Life/Social Issues

Zealous Love A Practical Guide to Social Justice  Edited by  Mike and Danae Yankoski

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2009

Number of pages- 248

Age Group- Young Adult/Adult

Description of book- softcover, list price $16.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-29076-6

Extra- Discussion questions at the end of each chapter, www.ZealousLove.org

Are you looking for a new focus for your passion for helping others?  This is the perfect book to help you decide what your new focus will be.  Zealous Love focuses on human trafficking, unclean water, refugees, hunger, lack of education, creation degradation, HIV/AIDS and economic inequality.

As you read this book the contributors will inspire you to help your neighbors both locally and globally by telling their story about their issue.  Some of the contributors are Dave Batstone, Scott Todd, Sean Litton and Marva Dawn. 

About the authors- Mike and Danae Yankoski enjoy backpacking, hiking, good books, among many other things in the Pacific Northwest with their dog.  Mike has written, Under the Overpass.  Danae has written Crazy Love and The Forgotten God with Francis Chan.

My thoughts-

I thought this book was very good.  I enjoyed having something I can hold in my hands that lists and describes different social issues and gives me different ideas on how I can make a difference.

The lay-out of the book was very good with the introduction of the issue, four field notes (written by different people) and the “Now What” section.  My favorite part of the book, was the “Now What” section at the end of each issues because it made me think and gave me ideas on how I could help.  The sections of “Now What,” were reflect, respond, spread the word, share your ideas and discover more (websites).

Would I recommend this book?  Yes!  This book is perfect for anybody who is interested in learning where the help is needed and how to do it.  It is perfect for organizations, young and old.

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.

Life In Spite of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson

Genre- Inspirational, Biography

Life In Spite of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson with Tricia Goyer

Published by- WaterBrook Multnomah

Copyrighted- 2010

Number of pages- 209

Age Group- Teen/Adult

Description of book- hardback, list price $23.99, ISBN 978-1-60142-252-1

Extras- Afterward by Kristen’s mother, Resources to recognize suicide warning signs, and address of Kristen’s organization, Reaching You Ministries (www.reachingyou.org)

One day night, seventeen-year-old Kristen Jane Anderson decided that her pain was too much and she wanted to die.  She left a note for her mom and went to lay on some train tracks.  Thirty-three freight cars went over her, she lost her legs and her depression continued, but God had bigger plans for her life.

Kristen was in and out of the hospital and had several different counselors.  Her family, friends (old and new), and professionals helped her to regain her confidence in life.

About the authors-  Kristen Jane Anderson is a graduate from Moody Bible Institute and has been featured on Oprah.  She is the founder of Reaching You Ministries, where she helps those who need help.

Tricia Goyer is the author of many articles, novels, and nonfiction books.

My thoughts-

Kristen Jane Anderson is a remarkable young woman.  She has been through so much yet she has been able to reach an inner peace and through God help others.  I am so glad she has been able to heal and write the story for us to read. 

I think this book would be a good book to have in offices where they help people to deal with suicidal thoughts and other issues of desperation and also for those who have lost a limb.     

Would I recommend?  Yes.  I would recommend this book to everyone, because Kristen is so inspirational and her writing can lead us to know that we can get through it all with God’s 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.

Izzy’s Pop Star Plan by Alex Marestaing

Genre- Religion/Christian/Social Issues

Izzy’s Pop Star Plan by Alex Marestaing

Published by- Thomas Nelson

Copyrighted- 2010

Number of pages- 229

Age Group- Juvenile

Description of Book- paperback, list price $9.99, ISBN 978-1-4003-1654-0

Extras- www.izzyspopstarplan.com

Izzy Baxter has been planning to become a pop star since she was six-years-old and she now at sixteen she has that chance. Izzy has been selected to compete on the show, International Pop Star Challenge. This book has Izzy’s blog entries as she goes on the show to places like Tokyo, Paris and Buenos Aires. Will Izzy go with her own plans or will she do the plans that God has for her?

About the Author- Alex Marestaing lives in California with his family. He has written for The Walt Disney Company and the Los Angeles Times. In July he will be releasing a sequel to this book called, Izzy’s Pop Star Plan: The Album

My Thoughts-

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6 (New King James)

I recently had this has a memory verse and I thought it was perfect for this book, because as a pop star this is the problem that Izzy is facing. Izzy is a girl who does her best at following God in all of her ways and she has the support of her family and friends to help her through the hard times. She knows that God has specific plans for her and even though she detours sometimes she knows where she needs to go, which is what I like about her.

I liked how this book was set up like a blog, so that it worked both as a devotional and novel.

I would recommend this book and I can’t wait for the next one.

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.