First off, I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year's!!! In no particular order here are my top 10 favorite books I've read in 2012!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Thankful Thursday - Have an Attitude of Gratitude
What am I thankful for?
My two precious children. The tragedy that occured at Sandy Hook slapped me in the face, I realized I take my babies for granted way too often. I am so thankful for Lexi and JJ!!
Review: Live Second: 365 Ways to Make Jesus First
SUMMARY (Author’s Website)Athletes and actors, models and musicians, pastors and politicians … many have stepped forward, looked in the camera, and proclaimed, “I am second.” But most in the I Am Second movement are not celebrities. They are ordinary people—and they’ve come to the simple realization that when God comes first in their lives, everything makes sense.
But living second is not easy. It takes grit and humility, submission to God’s will, a willingness to listen and serve, an openness to God’s healing and call. Live Second is a daily guide to help you. With 365 readings, prayers, actions steps, and an invitation to join other Christ-followers online, what you hold in your hands is a tool built with truth, scripture, and a sure path to put Jesus first every day. The Christian life is not meant to be easy, just worth it. Live Second is exactly what you need as you become the new, inspired, God-honoring creation he made you to be.
One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to make my daily walk in faith more of a priority. I was given this book by BookSneeze.com in exchange for a fair and honest review and it has been a real blessing.
Each day of this daily devotional truly makes you think and dig down deep into yourself. Being a Christian is hard in today’s time, taking the time out to put Jesus first is difficult. I am going to incorporate this devotional along with a couple others in my daily walk.
I am really satisfied with how the devotional was laid out. There really wasn’t a lot of “Bible thumping” at all. It is practical, it was written for every person from every walk of life. It is beautifully compiled and I loved all the personal stories that were included. I really love the I Am Second movement and the simple (but powerful) message behind it. We are all second compared to Jesus.
RATING:
REALLY AWESOME BOOK!!!
You can find Doug Bender here:FACEBOOK
You can buy Live Second here: AMAZON, THOMAS NELSON
Review: Untimed by Andy Gavin
SUMMARY (Author’s Website)Charlie’s the kind of boy that no one notices. Hell, his own mother can’t remember his name. So when a mysterious clockwork man tries to kill him in modern day Philadelphia, and they tumble through a hole into 1725 London, Charlie realizes even the laws of time don’t take him seriously. Still, this isn’t all bad. Who needs school when you can learn about history first hand, like from Ben Franklin himself. And there’s this girl… Yvaine… another time traveler. All good. Except for the rules: boys only travel into the past and girls only into the future. And the baggage: Yvaine’s got a baby boy and more than her share of ex-boyfriends. Still, even if they screw up history — like accidentally let the founding father be killed — they can just time travel and fix it, right? But the future they return to is nothing like Charlie remembers. To set things right, he and his scrappy new girlfriend will have to race across the centuries, battling murderous machines from the future, jealous lovers, reluctant parents, and time itself.
This story was amazing, and I just flew right through it. Charlie is one of the most amazing characters ever! I seriously didn’t think I would fall in love with this story like I did.
I get confused by time travel to be honest. When I read The Time Traveler’s Wife, I had to reread whole chapters multiple times (don’t judge!!) However, with this crazy and lovable story of Charlie and Yvaine I wasn’t confused at all. I appreciated the beautiful flow of the story from beginning to end.
My reaction to this book was a surprise. I thought it would be interesting by the summary, but I wasn’t expecting the automatic pull I felt with it. Andy draws us in with nonstop action and keeps us enveloped with a one of a kind story that makes you flip the last page, fully satisfied.
RATING:
Loved it! Go read it right now!
You can find Andy Gavin here: WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, GOODREADS
You can buy Untimed here: AMAZON,
Faith by Heather Bixler Blast
Faith - 4 Week Mini Bible Study
In this four week mini Bible Study you will examine your faith and what it means to have faith in God. He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20 Our faith begins with what we know and believe about God. Our faith will carry us how far we are willing to let it take us. Faith is a choice and we need to begin by choosing to believe in Jesus and His power to move mountains, heal the sick, and save us from all our sins through His sacrifice on the cross. When we believe in God we then learn to walk in faith and trust God. But first we must believe, and it's up to us, we can either choose to believe in Him or not. But faith will mean nothing until we believe with all our heart that God is who He says He is.
Praise for Faith
Don't have time to read a long book on faith? This study will give you simple tools to understand faith and help you to develop a closer relationship with God. ~Lorilyn Roberts
This is a great book that allows you to start looking deeper into faith. I love the fact that there is a lot of scripture reference so one can look into the Bible and further study the word. ~Shraon
This study was a wonderful lift to my faith. I encourage others to take this short journey to an increased faith. ~Shirley Strait
Purchase
Author Heather BixlerHeather is a Christian Stay at home homeschooling mom of three, married to a firefighter, and a writer. She is founder of www.CSAHM.com among other websites for Christian mothers, and women. Heather is passionate about sharing God's word in a practical and loving way.
BookBlast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 1/3/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Friday, December 21, 2012
Review: A Tale of the Other Kind: A Therian Novel by Leandi Cameron, Orangeberry Tours
SUMMARY (Amazon)Kai Emery likes to be indiscernible; however, his infatuation for his classmate, Sienna Fynn, has made his invisibility status all the more impossible to upkeep. His world spirals out of control when he discovers that he is a shapeshifting were-leopard, and finds himself unable to control his newfound anatomy.
An unpredictable vampire enters his life, leading him down a path that soon reveals his destiny, and discloses another world, filled with magic and terrifying darkness. When he finds himself in danger from the god of magic and darkness for disobeying a curse bestowed upon his kind, forbidding him from falling in love with a human, he has to fight for survival, and protect everyone that he loves.
I loved this story so much! A shape shifting were-leopard?! How awesome! I fell in love with Kai from the beginning. Leandi did an excellent job of creating this beautifully complex and devastatingly handsome character from the beginning.
There was good pacing throughout the book. I only came across a couple of slow parts but it didn’t take away from the overall story. I loved all the characters and how well they were developed. The story itself is super unique. I much prefer reading about were-leopards than werewolves You should definitely get this book, it’s an easy read and really fun story!
RATING:
REALLY AWESOME BOOK!!!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Review: Aurora Sky by Nikki Jefford (Vol. 1: Transfusion) PLUS GIVEAWAY!!
SUMMARY (Amazon)If there is one thing eighteen-year-old Aurora Sky wants, it's to get off the iceberg she calls home. Being kissed before she graduates wouldn't hurt either.
Then a near-fatal car wreck changes everything. Government agents step in and save Aurora's life in exchange for her services as a vampire hunter. In Alaska. Basically she's a glorified chew toy. All thanks to her rare blood type, which sends a vampire into temporary paralysis before she has to finish the job...by hand.
Now Aurora's only friends are groupies of the undead and the only boy she can think about may very well be a vampire. And if he's a vampire, will she be forced to kill him? For ages 18+
Before even cracking this baby open to read, I was super excited just from reading the summary! It reminded me of Buffy but it was so different and unique that I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book.
I absolutely adore Aurora (beautiful name choice!) and I could really picture her perfectly by Nikki's superb details. She's an amazing girl that goes through A LOT and is a freakin vampire hunter on top of everything. She's brave, she's courageous, she's funny and sweet. She is just one of the best characters I have ever read about!
This is book one in the Transfusion series and I cannot wait to read more of Aurora Sky! Please go get this book, it's such a great read!! Be sure to enter below for an autograph door hanger. Two lucky winners will win one! They are super awesome, here is a pic (front & back):
**I was given this book by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.**
RATING:
Loved it! Go read it right now! a Rafflecopter giveaway
You can find Nikki Jefford here: WEBSITE, GOODREADS, FACEBOOK
You can buy Aurora Sky here: AMAZON
Review: The Middle Aisle by Taylor Dean
SUMMARY (Amazon)Zoe Grayson is back in Lancaster House, ordered to bed rest for the duration of her unexpected pregnancy. Doctor Wade Channing, her overzealous psychiatrist, is living in Lancaster House, taking care of her, waiting on her, and tending to her every need. It seems to be the perfect arrangement.
There’s just one catch.
She has to tell him her story—everything that has happened in her life since the moment she escaped from Serenity Hills. It’s been quite an adventure to include renovating another home and a walk down the middle aisle.
But, that’s all over now. Nothing is real. It never was.
How did she end up in this miserable situation?.
You all know that I love Taylor Dean so much! She is one of my favorite authors and The Middle Aisle is my 4th book of hers to read. She is amazingly talented and did not disappoint me with this sequel to Lancaster House. (Review HERE)
Zoe and Andre have a love story that could rival anyone's. You can tell how much they love each other and after Zoe's situation in the first book, you are happy to see them reunited. But this isn't all that happens in The Middle Aisle (which BTW is 1920s slang for getting married. So cool, right??)
There are some unexpected twists and turns and the ending is the most surprising I have ever read. I loved how Taylor sewed everything up in the end and you are left feeling very satisfied. And a little envious because Zoe found her true soul mate, even if he's a ghost vampire.
**I was given this book by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.**
RATING:
Loved it! Go read it right now!
You can find Taylor Dean here: WEBSITE, FACEBOOK
You can buy The Middle Aisle here: AMAZON, B&N, SMASHWORDS
Review: Defying Mars (Saving Mars Series) by Cidney Swanson
SUMMARY (Amazon)Sequel to SAVING MARS, named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012.
Jessamyn has escaped Earth with food for her starving world, but her troubles are just beginning. She must rebuild her life without Pavel, the Terran boy whose kiss haunts her. Her success is further tainted by the loss of her beloved brother. Ethan disabled the deadly lasers orbiting Mars, but this has created a fervor to re-open trade with Earth which Jess knows would be disastrous. Add into the mix a secret which could launch an interplanetary war, and Jess finds herself at the center of an intrigue where, in order to save the world she loves, she must defy it.
This book rocks my socks off! This is book 2 in the Saving Mars series and it was a beautiful follow up to the first. I just love Jessamyn in Defying because she has really grown into a strong, and brave woman. She is dealing with so many complex things at once, I found myself surprised that she just doesn't have a mini breakdown!
I found the concept of human like Marsians (what Martians call themselves!) so fun and interesting. It is a unique spin on an alien tale. This a great fast paced novel that is an emotional ride! The descriptive details are just amazing, you aren't sitting there trying to guess the scene, it comes alive in a snap! and you're just amazed at how beautiful things are.
I was very happy with how this sequel turned out, it was amazing and should be read ASAP! Cidney is a very talented writer with so much to offer us readers!
**I was given this book by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.**
RATING:
Loved it! Go read it right now!
You can find Cidney here: WEBSITE, GOODREADS, FACEBOOK
You can buy Defying Mars here: AMAZON
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Review: An 8-track to 81 Chapters by Robin Sanders
SUMMARY (LuLu)When a Social Studies teacher assigns a special project to six high school students, (Richard, Shelly, Nathan, Charles, Morgan and Britt) they receive a lesson that may indeed change lives of many worlds. As they work on the problems set before them they come to realize that the typical real world issues that each student had been dealing with doesn't look all that bad. As the unlikely group of misfits explores the project, they discover strengths that they were completely unaware they had.
For seven whole days they stay in a mysterious book unlocking puzzles, fighting demon-possessed statues, creating bonds with a memorable cast of characters and fighting a villain who controls the powers of the heavens. Mr. Hutchenson, a professor of social studies at St. Cardinals, is a man who plays a large part within this story, but just as the kids have to discover that, so does the reader. These six kids work on finding that strength by not only fighting the enemy, but the enemy within.
This was a very fast read for me. I enjoyed the immediate plunge into the story line. All the characters were really great. I think my favorites were Morgan and Nathan. They all were real though, and you can tell Robin Sanders really dug down deep to develop these characters and their traits.
The action is this book is captivating. I didn't find a dull spot at all. The book flowed so smooth, it was amazing. I think Robin has amazing talent and I'm really excited to see what the future holds for him!
RATING:
REALLY AWESOME BOOK!!!
You can find Robin here: TWITTER, WEBSITE
You can buy 8-track here: LULU
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