tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31655908335744263472024-03-28T22:29:56.293-05:00Faith in BooksAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.comBlogger228125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-42445347606149308982013-08-28T10:33:00.002-05:002013-08-28T10:33:51.055-05:00Faith in Books has moved to revamelia.com!Faith in Books has moved to <a href="http://revamelia.com/">revamelia.com</a><br />
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Because I am no longer in full control of my Google account, I have chosen to move my blog to another address. Please follow me at <a href="http://www.revamelia.com/">www.revamelia.com </a> every Wednesday. I have not yet figured out how to schedule future posts (I usually write on Wednesdays and schedule posts to appear on Monday, Wednesday and Friday). This sight will continue to be up while I completely move my archived book reviews to the new sight.<br />
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I highly recommend <a href="http://revamelia.com/">revamelia.com</a>!<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-43757237220759789112013-08-19T01:00:00.000-05:002013-08-19T01:00:02.002-05:00City of Bones<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Bones_(Mortal_Instruments)">City of Bones</a><br />
By <a href="http://www.cassandraclare.com/">Cassandra Clare</a><br />
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You have probably already seen advertisements for this book because it has been made into a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4axPibsp4Ao">movie</a> which is coming out this week. I am about to start the second book in this series, The Mortal Instruments. Although much of Clare's plot sounds eerily similar to many teen fantasy books lately, I liked the way she creates this world and manages to have lots of surprises as the plot moves along.<br />
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Clary Fray has one friend, Simon, and a close relationship with her mother and adopted uncle. Her mother is an artist and they have lived in New York City for several years. One night, as she and Simon are at a popular night club, Clary witnesses a murder. However, there is no body and no one else remembers seeing the perpetrators. In a matter of days, Clary's mother disappears and Clary is attacked in her apartment by a creature out of her nightmares. Jace Wayland, who claims to be someone not quite human, inadvertently helps Clary and then provides a shelter and some cryptic answers to her questions. Jace is a Shadowhunter who has been trained all his life to fight demons. He has the ability to be invisible to mortals. Because Clary is able to see him and his friends, they try to figure out how she can and who she really is. The rest of the novel is about Clary's self-discovery, the Shadowhunters and trying to rescue her loved ones.<br />
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What did this book have to do with my faith? One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Jace and Clary enter a church to get help to fight a group of their enemies. Clary thinks they are breaking in when Jace utters a statement that unlocks the church door. Then, although he says he is not Christian, he kneels down in front of the altar. However, he is not there to pray but is searching for weapons hidden under the floor. He announces that all faiths do their part to help them (the Shadowhunters) fight the demons. I can't help but draw a correlation between kneeling in prayer and fighting demons and getting actual weapons to go fight demons. How often is prayer a form of warfare? I suppose we don't really think of it as such but the apostle Paul did. In the last chapter of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul compares getting ready to pray with gearing up in armor to fight. Maybe Paul understood our own weaknesses as well as the possible attacks of the Devil. We need to be armed in order to pray. Are you putting on your armor when you go to God in prayer?<br />
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I highly recommend this book and I plan to go see the movie. Anyone want to join me?<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-36785759558723031692013-08-16T01:00:00.000-05:002013-08-16T01:00:08.218-05:00Desserts that have killed better men than me<a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=4EWzLni0LK8C&pg=PA24&lpg=PA24&dq=desserts+that+have+killed+better+men+than+me&source=bl&ots=-h0_b-ZZ2_&sig=TTxZVUZUMLYyFLvyvPkAvRfUYsg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=yIoLUv3hLOen2AXa6YDADA&ved=0CGgQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=desserts%20that%20have%20killed%20better%20men%20than%20me&f=false">Desserts that have killed better men than me</a><br />
By <a href="http://whoisjeremyjackson.blogspot.com/p/bio.html">Jeremy Jackson</a><br />
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<i>Desserts that have killed better men than me was a title that came to me in a dream. Or possibly I was awake. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference. Anyhoo, it is a title that deserves an actual book to go with it. The basic idea behind the title is that all the desserts in the book are so good they're dangerous. They're knockouts. Lethal, in some instances.</i>...(From the cover of this cookbook).<br />
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I enjoyed Jackson's book, <a href="http://faithinbooks.blogspot.com/search/label/24%20Girls%20in%207%20Days">24 Girls in 7 Days</a>, and found out he had also written some cookbooks. I was intrigued and then hooked when I read this title. But how do you "read" a cookbook?<br />
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Easy. Jackson has lots of commentary, so there is much to actually read. And what person who loves to bake wouldn't enjoy reading about baking? But don't stop there - go make something!<br />
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I have made the Chocolate Sinkholes. Yum. Yum. Yum. SO GOOD! I am planning on baking the Indispensable Chocolate Torte as well as the Whole Wheat Poppy Seed Cake. Click on the title link above to see the whole cookbook (yes, believe it or not). Then start baking! But be sure to follow Jackson's advice on ingredients.<br />
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What did this book have to do with my faith? Two words: moderation and selectivity. Jeremy actually lost weight writing this book -- and was eating deserts every day. But he exercised and used restraint. In other words, he watched what he ate and didn't overdo it on the sweets he was tasting. In addition to the sampling, Jackson only chose to publish sixty recipes rather than 100. However, he stands behind each and every one of them and guarantees they are all great. Sometimes we try to overdo it in our faith and be super-Christians. You know: volunteer for everything, put everyone on our prayer list, make ourselves feel guilty when we don't tithe/fast/feel positive. But it is actually the simple things, the most basic that are what we need. Things like time alone with God just to be in God's presence listening rather than asking. Or participating in worship just as a part of the congregation. Noticing God's creation or the smallest miracles. Enjoying the people around us right now rather than anticipating what is next. Where do you need moderation and selectivity in your own walk with Christ?<br />
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I highly recommend this cookbook!<br />
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Happy reading (and cooking)!<br />
<br />
Amelia<br />
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<br />Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-4753798546657038162013-08-14T01:00:00.000-05:002013-08-14T01:00:01.515-05:00Outlander<a href="http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/outlander-series/outlander/">Outlander</a><br />
By <a href="http://www.dianagabaldon.com/">Diana Gabaldon</a><br />
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I have been wanting to begin reading this series for a long time. I wish I could tell you what genre it fits in but I think it is mostly seen as a type of fantasy. Click on the title above to see what Gabaldon says about the book.<br />
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The main character is Claire Randall who has been re-united with her husband after World War II. They are currently in Scotland for a bit of a second honeymoon when Claire is sent back in a circle of standing stones through time to the year 1743. She is kidnapped by a local clan and eventually forced to marry one of their clansmen. She tries several times to get back to the stones and her own time period but eventually finds herself falling for her Scottish husband. They have several adventures and Claire must decide what time (and what husband) that she wants.<br />
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I would like to say more but then I would give too much away. I have been very careful in this review to not say more than is necessary. There were lots of surprises and I thought the plot was heading one way and Gabaldon took it another. Please note that some bedroom-type scenes may not be suitable for all ages or sensibilities.<br />
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What did this book have to do with my faith? Well, I had typed up a quote to share here and left it on my desktop for a couple of days without saving it. Of course, the electricity went out for 5 minutes one afternoon and I can't find it anywhere. The thought is something like this: when you sin, you are tempted to sin and you say yes to it. When you are offered grace it is the same: you must also say yes to it. I really liked that. At one point in the book, that was what Claire had to offer to her Scottish husband but he also had to accept that grace and forgiveness from Claire. How often do you and I choose sin but hold back on choosing grace? Do we not want to be forgiven? What stops us? What motivates us to accept grace?<br />
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I recommend this book.<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-40065937296944301722013-08-12T01:00:00.000-05:002013-08-12T01:00:04.844-05:00Miracle on the Hudson<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Airways_Flight_1549">Miracle on the Hudson</a>: the Extraordinary Real-life Story Behind Flight 1549, by the survivors<br />
By <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Prochnau">William Prochnau and Laura Parker</a><br />
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I read this book (along with Highest Duty and one other book) because I was preaching on the apostle Paul's own escape from dying in a shipwreck (see chapters 27-28 in Acts). I wanted a better understanding of what it must have been like to face death and live. Paul's companions on his fateful voyage made some poor decisions, tried to correct their mistakes mid-trip and ended up following Paul's foresight. This saved everyone's life on that fateful trip to Rome.<br />
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On Flight 1549, the passengers had only minutes to deal with their impending death. Many of them prayed. Some texted their loved ones; one woman actually spoke to her husband on the phone during the whole experience. However, not one passenger actually had any kind of control over their fate: they were all in the hands of Captain Sully and Co-Pilot Jeff Skiles...although I think God had a bigger hand in the whole thing than anyone seems to give God credit for. Then, once they landed on the frigid waters, they had to quickly evacuate and stay alive and well until they were rescued by various water craft. The most interesting fact is all of this took a little over 30 minutes however much several passengers expressed that it seemed like hours.<br />
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I wish I could say all the passengers remained calm and everyone was a hero, helping each other safely leave the sinking aircraft. But I would be lying. Several passengers seemed to take a me-first attitude, although many of those finally realized that they needed to help others. There were several heroes of the day. There were also those who seemed incapable of any kind of response, even with others encouraging them to act. More than one passenger tried to grab their luggage as they exited the plane! I enjoyed hearing from the different perspectives.<br />
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What did this book have to do with my faith besides helping me write my sermon? I was struck by how the faithful -- and possibly not so faithful until that moment -- handled the crisis. Several passengers remembered how quiet the plane was without the engine noise and how you could hear various people of different faiths praying. Something about that image really has stayed with me -- in the face of death we turn to our faith. For Christians, we turn to God. Why do many of us wait until we are falling from the sky before we turn to God? Why does our faith wait on crisis to be rekindled? In what ways does your faith need to be kindled today? Don't wait for another crisis before speaking with God.<br />
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I recommend this book.<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-48583999048129455682013-08-09T01:00:00.000-05:002013-08-09T01:00:06.739-05:00Struck<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhDAuZ9EXio">Struck</a><br />
By <a href="http://jenniferbosworth.com/about.html">Jennifer Bosworth</a><br />
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Struck is about a young girl, Mia Price, who has survived multiple lightening strikes. Now, after she and her mother and brother have moved to California, a freak storm hits Los Angeles destroying all but one building in the downtown area and causing many to be killed or left homeless. A local preacher is claiming it is the end of the world. Mia's mother has been traumatized and Mia and her brother return to a damaged but serviceable school in order to receive food and care packages.<br />
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Now Mia is pursued by members of two different cults as well as being followed by a strange boy who says he only has her best interests at heart. Mia tries to stay out of all of it but she become drawn into the middle of a showdown that may bring about the end of the world because of what she alone can do.<br />
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I have to say I hated Mia's character. While the plot itself is a good one, Mia is not an attractive person. Although she tried to help her family, she ended up doing more harm than good. She does not trust anyone and insists she can do it all on her own. It becomes very clear that she cannot do things on her own. But who can she trust? And she constantly sounds as though she is whining, even in her interior dialogue.<br />
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What did this book have to do with my faith? In the book, one of the religious cults that has gotten a lot of publicity is led by a blind man called the Prophet. He quotes the bible (most often Revelation) and provides shelter, clothing and food to all his faithful followers. Downside: you have to look good in solid white. His messages, however, touch Mia's mother and she becomes a devoted follower of the Prophet which actually is overall good for her; she stops taking the illegal meds that Mia has bought on the black market and begins living again. The Prophet has also adopted several children and provided a stable environment for them. He must be a good guy, right? Well, Mia doesn't like him for his religious propaganda and sees him as a bad influence on her mother and others in her school. It seems like all his followers become a bit brainwashed. Because of this, these are the questions that came to my mind: How many times has someone who claims to speak for God actually misled others or been shown to be a charlatan? How can we Christians know the difference? And how can anyone in the secular world see the difference between a charlatan and someone who is authentic?<br />
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I do not recommend Struck.<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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Amelia<br />
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<br />Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-8376129210074016242013-08-07T01:00:00.000-05:002013-08-07T01:00:06.066-05:00Bittersweet<a href="http://www.pulseit.com/bittersweet">Bittersweet</a><br />
By <a href="http://sarahockler.com/">Sarah Ockler</a><br />
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I am not sure how to describe <u>Bittersweet</u> than it is is a young adult/teen novel. There is some romance but it is mostly about how to figure out what your dreams really are, how important family and friends should be in your life and where you really should be going in your life.<br />
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Hudson works hard to help out her single mom but still feels betrayed by her father. She blames him for her failure to become a champion figure skater as well as his abandonment of his two children. When Hudson gets the opportunity to try again in skating, she begins working more hours at her mother's diner while sneaking off to work with the local high school hockey team and her own routine on the ice. Her main goal is to get away from Watonka, New York, even if it means hurting her mother and her best friend, Dani.<br />
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What is bittersweet in this book? Hudson's life experiences teach her that not everything is sweet but that she can endure the bitter parts with the love and support of family and friends. However, she must do the work to communicate, trust and be willing to speak the truth. She also comes to realize that she does have some wonderful talents that many in her town appreciate. Maybe having friends is worth more than she thinks!<br />
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I liked Hudson's struggle with keeping her friends because it echoes my own. I can honestly say that I don't have any close friends right now in my life. I have some good acquaintances, some great peers and some terrific parishioners but having and keeping friends has been hard. I am trying to learn something from Hudson's own mistakes.<br />
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And that is a lot of what this book had to do with my faith. As Christians, our relationships should be more important than anything. Yet, we Christian Americans often get caught up in our dreams for success - whether it has to do with our salary or our love life. We want to go places and be people. Many of us will sacrifice relationships with our families, our friends and possible brothers and sisters in Christ in order to "fulfill" our dreams. But what about God's dreams for our life? Do we simply ignore what God wants for us? Why do we think our dreams are superior to God's dreams? Where have you sacrificed people for other stuff in your life?<br />
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I recommend <u>Bittersweet</u>.<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-39210419822459466302013-08-05T01:00:00.000-05:002013-08-05T01:00:06.476-05:00Highest Duty<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTBELz73IZE">Highest Duty</a><br />
By <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesley_Sullenberger">Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger</a> and <a href="http://www.jeffzaslow.com/">Jeffery Zaslow</a><br />
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I read <u>Highest Duty</u> because I was preaching on Paul's shipwreck onto Malta. I chose this book (as well as a couple written from the passenger's standpoints) because I wanted a modern example of a similar disaster in which no one lost their life. As I read, I could begin to understand why Captain Sully has become such a hero figure and why the whole "Miracle on the Hudson" touched so many lives.<br />
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In the book, we see all the minutes leading up to and after the landing on the Hudson which happened on January 15, 2009. We also see the lifetime of experience and dedication that Sully had which came into play when birds took out both engines of American Airlines flight 1549. From his love and experience of flying from age 15, his service in the Air Force, his years with American Airlines and his work with airline safety, Sullenberger's story becomes a background to what it takes to do the impossible and save lives.<br />
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What I liked is that Sullenberger is presented as a real and humble person. There were no attempts to make him larger than life or in any way particularly special. He was dedicated and extremely focused on his goals in life. He admits that being away from his family has not always been the healthiest for his marriage or his relationship with his two adopted daughters. He quickly dispels the idea that captains are coddled by the airlines.<br />
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What I did not like was there was not one mention of God and that is what this book has to do with my faith. According to Wikipedia (and not this book), Sully actually was a member of a Methodist church growing up. However, Sully never once gives any credit to God -- whether to thank God for making sure he had the skills necessary to land a plane on the water or to thank God for making sure no one was terribly injured in the crash. Even though the whole incident is referred to by others as a miracle, I never once read about Sully's own faith or his relationship with God. Don't get me wrong -- Sully does not try to take all the credit. However, I don't see God as being left out of such a miracle. Why did Sully leave God out? And why do we?<br />
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I highly recommend <u>Highest Duty</u>. And remind yourself that God is doing much more in your own life than you can ever understand or imagine -- give credit to God, too.<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-43435317285762624432013-08-02T01:00:00.000-05:002013-08-02T01:00:05.375-05:00Ruby Red/ Sapphire Blue<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5YKSsl2hb0">Ruby Red</a> / <a href="http://us.macmillan.com/sapphireblue/KerstinGier">Sapphire Blue</a><br />
By <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerstin_Gier">Kerstin Gier</a><br />
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I love, love, love this series! This has it all: teen angst, romance, betrayal, time travel, dysfunctional families, a mystery, period costumes,and great characters. I decided to review both <u>Ruby Red</u> and <u>Sapphire Blue</u> as one as they really read as one whole book. So, if you purchase or check out <u>Ruby Red</u>, make sure to get <u>Sapphire Blue</u> at the same time. Then, you will have to wait with the rest of us until October 8 when the English translation is published (if you are fluent in German, you might be able to snag a copy but don't tell us what happens).<br />
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Gwen's cousin Charlotte has been groomed from birth to be a time traveler. This is not a secret within the family. What the family is not aware of is that it is Gwen who was born on the correct day and it is Gwen who is actually the time traveler. When Gwen's powers come to light, everyone's careful plans are brought to a halt, including those of her mother who wanted Gwen to have a "normal" life and kept her correct date of birth a secret. Gwen is not trained in the art of comportment, dancing, fencing, history and language. Yet, she is immediately sent back in time with her handsome companion Gideon. They are attacked and she saves his life. Gwen also begins to fall in love with Gideon. He is the diamond and she is the ruby of twelve time-traveling jewels (people) who, when the circle is complete, will accomplish something. Part of the mystery is what this something might be.<br />
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Gwen tries to keep her talent of seeing and speaking with ghosts a secret while she tries to figure out what it is that people are not telling her. She also does her best to avoid Count Saint-Germain, the mind-reading figure from the past who is not to be trusted. In the meantime, she has to figure out what behavior is appropriate when traveling in the past, how to deal with her "perfect" cousin, Charlotte, who begins taking out her disappointment on Gwen, and try her best to get to the bottom of the mystery around her other cousin Lucy, also a time-traveler who stole one of the two time traveling machines.<br />
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Check out the movie trailer on you-tube -- just click on the <u>Ruby Red</u> title above. I'm going to be finding out how I can see this movie (with subtitles, of course).<br />
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What did this book have to do with my faith? If you could travel within 500 years into the past, who would you visit? I think I would like to visit some heroes of the faith like John Wesley. Or women who preached despite the obstacles in their path. What about a worship service to hear a famous preacher? This book made me think about some of those in our communion of saints that would be a blessing to meet or see in action.<br />
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Go get these books!<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-38921566691091546512013-07-31T09:31:00.000-05:002013-07-31T09:31:08.826-05:00Chasing the Prophecy<a href="http://brandonmull.com/site/beyonders-books">Chasing the Prophecy</a> (Beyonders #3)<br />
By Brandon Mull<br />
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I stayed up late last night to finish this book. I wish I could say this was a book that I couldn't put down. However, I have to be honest and say I just wanted the book to end and to be done with it.<br />
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I have reviewed all five of Mull's Fablehaven books (see my reviews to the right) and really enjoyed them. Mull is a great writer. However, something just fell flat in the Beyonders series. I didn't enjoy the second book, <u>Seeds of Rebellion</u>, because it felt like Mull was just stretching the story to get to the final book. I suppose I then had high hopes for this one. But I have to say I felt like most of the book was filler. It was as if he had a good story but was being paid for so many pages. Therefore, he spent pages and pages on the characters trying to guess if the prophecy they were following was true or if there was any hope to what they were doing. Yawn. So, another stretched storyline.<br />
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And don't get me started on how many characters died in this book. Or the abrupt and unhappy ending.<br />
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Turns out that the first book, <u>A World Without Heroes</u>, was actually the first book that Mull ever wrote. After his success with Fablehaven and <u>The Candy Shop Wars</u>, Mull decided to publish his first book after some editing. Well, it needed more editing. Lately it seems that popular writers are above being truly edited and they are paid by the amount of pages. I think he could have written just one book in this series rather than a trilogy. Again, Mull is a terrific writer but I think he needed more guidance before publishing this series.<br />
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What did this book have to do with my faith? The characters in this book struggle with having faith in a prophecy that doesn't hold much hope for their success. So, they wrestle with having hope. Is what they are doing pointless? Why should they even try? I think the only thing that keeps them going is that slight possibility that they might succeed and the fact that the oracle told them everyone on the team had to stay on track or it was all over. Most Christians struggle with having faith. Some have faith in what God will do for them after death but little faith in what God is accomplishing in the here and now. Others don't see any point in acts of kindness and mercy for others and simply wait instead for Jesus to come back. What keeps us having hope? Where is our faith when things don't seem to turn out right (or how we think they should go)? What promises has God made for us and our lives that we don't see turning out for the better? My number one spiritual gift is faith, so maybe I don't struggle as much as other Christians but I have and do have doubts. Following through and keeping with "the team" is sometimes the hardest thing to do.<br />
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I don't recommend this book unless you want to finish the series.<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-19754369857047828852013-07-26T01:00:00.000-05:002013-07-26T01:00:09.252-05:00The Story of Us<a href="http://debcaletti.com/archives/643">The Story of Us</a><br />
By <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deb_Caletti">Deb Caletti</a><br />
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<u>the story of us</u> is about recently graduated Catherine - or Cricket - Shine and her struggles with all the changes in her life. Cricket recently put her relationship with long-time boyfriend Janssen on hold, her mother is getting married, Cricket needs to decide where she is going to college, and they are selling the home within which her mother, her brother and herself recovered from the abuse of her father. Cricket is reeling from so many changes.<br />
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The book takes place during the week leading up to her mother's wedding. The secondary characters are great and very funny. This is probably good because part of the story is told in emails Cricket sends to Janssen in which she tells her story in the context of interesting facts about dogs. The emails are serious while the rest of the activity is full of humor despite high tension in the air. Is Cricket's grandfather gay? Will Dan's daughter get a better attitude about her father's marriage? Why is Cricket's best friend all of a sudden interested in her? Will Dan's parents really divorce after 65 years of marriage? Will their hostess stop smoking pot? And, most importantly, will Cricket's mom leave Dan as she did her last two serious love interests?<br />
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What did this book have to do with my faith? Cricket's own faith is really all about her. If good things happen, God is present. If bad things happen, Cricket is not so sure there is a God. The worst part is that Cricket seems to expect that bad things are going to happen. The hope that stands out for her is the love that her family and friends have for one another. My faith is not so fickle but I do find myself focusing on God more when things are not going so well in my life. When life is good, I tend to ignore God. I forget to be thankful and simply expect the good without giving gratitude. Is my own faith really all about me?<br />
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I highly recommend this book although the ending may not satisfy those who like things neatly tied up.<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
<br />
AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-27394198140360410452013-07-24T01:00:00.000-05:002013-07-24T01:00:04.469-05:00Daybreak<a href="http://ellenconnor.com/books/daybreak/">Daybreak</a><br />
By <a href="http://www.rtbookreviews.com/author/ellen-connor">Ellen Conner</a><br />
<br />
This is the final in the Dark Age Dawning trilogy written by Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty. I have reviewed both <u>Nightfall</u> and <u>Midnight</u> and<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;"> </span>really only recommended the second book. I am sorry to say I cannot recommend this final book. I was very disappointed because I looked forward to seeing these two characters who were 12 years younger in the first book. In fact, I would not be writing this review at all if I had not reviewed the other two.<br />
<br />
Not only is the premise more than unbelievable but the characters changed in ways that were unexplainable. Tru Daugherty (yes, that's the guy's name) is a real sicko at the beginning but it is hard to fathom how he got that way if he was raised by Mason and Jenny from the first book. He did lose his wife and child but the book didn't really explain how that made him the way he ended up. I really can't see that being such a personality changer. But even more strange is the rapid way he changes again within a few chapters. Has Pen Sheehan actually gotten to him that much?<br />
<br />
Speaking of Penelope, I don't find her character believable either. I am not sure exactly what she has done for everyone to admire her and call her the Orchid, but she doesn't come across as a hero in any kind of shape or form in my eyes. I also can't understand why Tru has such a problem with her willingness to be a sacrifice to the good of others. They both have unanswered ways of acting and reacting that made my head spin. I never got a good grasp on either character.<br />
<br />
I won't get into the plot or some of the unbelievable things that happen. I did like that there was hope for the future. I still ended the book (okay, skimmed) thinking that I was not sure how that hope was going to be realized.<br />
<br />
What did this book have to do with my faith? Pen is willing to be a self-sacrifice for the good of others. Tru has a hard time with this. Of course, Tru ends up almost becoming a self-sacrifice. This made me think of the concept of self-sacrifice. As a Christian, I understand what Jesus did for the sake of the world. But, as a human, I struggle with the idea of giving up your own life for the lives of others. Those who are or have been in the military might understand this concept better than I. Yet, the pinnacle of what I believe really does revolve around self-sacrifice for the good of others. If I am to truly follow Jesus, does that mean I must sacrifice myself? Jesus tells us to take up our own crosses and follow him. What does that mean for me? For you?<br />
<br />
I don't recommend this book.<br />
<br />
Happy reading!<br />
<br />
AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-50547795078088440702013-07-22T01:00:00.000-05:002013-07-22T12:54:42.305-05:00The Crown of Embers<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8xfFAp6Pow">The Crown of Embers</a><br />
By <a href="http://www.raecarson.com/books/">Rae Carson</a><br />
<br />
Carson continues the story of Elisa, now Queen Elisa of Joya d'Arena. The first book in this series is You can find my review of <u>Girl of Fire and Thorns</u> on the list to the right. Elisa is the widow of the late king and holds her title until her stepson comes of age. She is trying desperately to lead but her new main purpose seems to be to find a new husband. What happened to the brave young woman who saved her new country from the Invierne invaders? The woman who found herself while living with her captors in the desert seems lost in the relative safety of the castle. At the same time, she has also lost her heart.<br />
<br />
Although Carson seems to have the same pattern with this book as the previous book - girl must go on journey to realize her abilities and save her kingdom - this was still a well-written novel. The characters are more developed and small secrets come to light as the journey unfolds.<br />
<br />
What did this book have to do with my faith? One thing that Queen Elisa must do is face her fears and trust that where she is being led is where she needs to go. She has been told that she will be tested and will be asked to do something that puts others in danger. Others believe in her but she must truly believe in herself. That is often a part of being a follower of Jesus. I must face my fear head on. I must go where I am being led. I understand that I will be tested (why else do we pray these words in the Lord's Prayer: "deliver us from evil?"). Perhaps part of my own reluctance is that I am safe and secure where I am. I don't want to step out on faith because that means a loss of my own control. I can be hurt. Others may be hurt. If I stay here, it seems like everything will be okay.<br />
<br />
I highly recommend this book, especially for readers of the first book.<br />
<br />
Happy reading!<br />
<br />
AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-30670397142276089032013-07-19T01:00:00.000-05:002013-07-19T01:00:02.263-05:00Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet<a href="http://www.daryndajones.com/fourth-grave-beneath-my-feet/">Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet</a><br />
By <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darynda_Jones">Darynda Jones</a><br />
<br />
I have enjoyed this series so much that I decided to skip books two and three and review book four. You can read my first review <a href="http://faithinbooks.blogspot.com/2013/07/first-grave-on-right.html">here</a>. Of course, I did not enjoy that book but I wanted you to read it anyway because the next books are awesome. This book is no exception.<br />
<br />
What I really liked about <u>Fourth Grave</u> is that the plot carries over from the previous book and Charley is portrayed as vulnerable. She had a huge trauma happen to her at the end of book three and she is trying to recover. She has not left her apartment in months and spends her days purchasing unnecessary stuff from the home shopping channels. Her money and her credit limit are running out. Her friends and family are tired of seeing her in such sorry shape. Then a woman comes to her asking for help. Something about this situation gets Charley moving and eventually on her way to being healed.<br />
<br />
I also liked the fact that Reyes is no longer a spirit-like visitor but actually comes around in the flesh. Although Charley is trying to avoid Reyes as well as her own father, the reader can't help but notice both of them are doing all they can to help her. I especially liked Reyes' attack on the "area 51" in Charley's living room where her trauma happened in the previous book.<br />
<br />
Charley is also finally actually solving mysteries as she had done in the previous two books. I enjoyed the mysteries which -- unlike some other popular books -- are actually mysteries. And Jones managed to really surprise me which I was not expecting.<br />
<br />
What did this book have to do with my faith? Charley -- and Reyes -- were both something else in heaven/hell before they were born in this time and place. Although this sounds like a far-fetched fantasy, this kind of thinking is actually biblical and theologically historical. It is just not something we Christians often think about. The Christian understanding is that Jesus, as part of the Holy Trinity, was always around, even before his birth on earth. If you don't believe it, read the beginning of the gospel of John. Jesus was the Word that God spoke and Jesus existed from the beginning. This is a hard concept to get my head around. Almost sounds like reincarnation. Yet, it is a part of our Christian tradition. I want to say I believe in this but it also sounds pretty fantastical. I suppose not much more fantastical than Charley's own story.<br />
<br />
I highly recommend <u>Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet</u>!<br />
<br />
Happy reading!<br />
<br />
AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-24631781441083847822013-07-17T01:00:00.000-05:002013-07-17T01:00:08.167-05:0024 Girls in 7 Days<a href="http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/24-girls-7-days">24 Girls in 7 Days</a><br />
By <a href="http://iamalexbradley.blogspot.com/">Alex Bradley</a><br />
<br />
Jack Grammer has always wanted to go to his Senior Prom (and no, he is not like THAT). The problem is he doesn't have a steady girlfriend and the one girl that he asks says no. To cheer him up and get him to the dance, his two best friends take out a personal ad in the school newspaper. After 200 responses, they choose 24 for him to date in the next week and pick one to take to prom. The pressure is on!<br />
<br />
Jack learns a lot about himself, his friends, his classmates and girls in the week leading up to prom. He makes a very wise decision about the dance and ends up having the time of his life. Of course, he went through a lot of highs and lows to get there. And he learns how to kiss.<br />
<br />
I liked reading a book from the guys' point of view. Most of what I read has a young female protagonist. Although Jack begins the book as being fairly naive and indecisive, he does a great deal of growing up over the course of one week.<br />
<br />
This book is also very funny with passages that you will want to read to your perplexed family. Please note that not all passages are suitable for children under 17.<br />
<br />
What did this book have to do with my faith? Jack discovers that sometimes it is wonderful to have the help of friends. At other times, it is better to do things and make discoveries on your own. My own faith life is like that. My difficulty is that I often choose to do without the help of friends (I know what I need and want best, anyway) and I miss out on the community. How do you balance friends and self in your life of faith?<br />
<br />
I highly recommend this book.<br />
<br />
Happy reading!<br />
<br />
AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-47739951405732156972013-07-15T01:00:00.000-05:002013-07-15T01:00:07.676-05:00Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYhSaHkrE8A">Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison</a><br />
By Brandon Mull<br />
<br />
I have so far reviewed the first four books in this series, so I won't add much by way of explanation of the storyline. If you haven't read any of the others, this book will not be as much fun for you. Seth, Kendra and their friends are trying to beat the Sphinx and keep him from getting all five keys that will open the demon prison, Zzyxx. I enjoyed seeing how Seth and Kendra had matured over the course of the series.<br />
<br />
I did not enjoy the constant deaths of people: both old and new friends. I also was not happy about another twist Mull added concerning the keys. Not only are there five keys but five people who are sort of guardians of each key. The keys can't be used on the prison as long as all five people live. A lot of time and energy is spent in trying to keep them alive. In addition, the Sphinx loses some control over the situation and suddenly there are new bad guys to fight and not much hope for the good guys.<br />
<br />
What did this book have to do with my faith? I hate for this to be a spoiler, but I found that it was very interesting that the empty demon prison would become the new kingdom for the fairies. What was once ugly, barren and evil would soon be beautiful, alive and full of goodness. It reminds me of the whole understanding of God's power of redemption and resurrection. What was full of death, sin and brokenness becomes filled with the power of life, freedom, perfection and wholeness. But only through the power of Almighty God. Where does God need to touch you in your own life today?<br />
<br />
I recommend this book for those who have read the rest of the series.<br />
<br />
Happy reading!<br />
<br />
AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-88348657307455262972013-07-12T01:00:00.000-05:002013-07-12T01:00:04.165-05:00Book of a Thousand Days<a href="http://www.squeetus.com/stage/books_b1000.html">Book of a Thousand Days</a><br />
By <a href="http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html">Shannon Hale</a><br />
<br />
After reading <a href="http://faithinbooks.blogspot.com/2013/06/princess-academy.html">Princess Academy</a>, I decided to look up some other books by Hale. I didn't know she was so prolific! I chose Book of a Thousand Days because it was a very different premise: a maid and her mistress are sent to live in a tower for seven years. This raised all kinds of questions in me and I wanted to know more and see what their adventure was like.<br />
<br />
As I began to read, I thought that it was probably a fun book to write: put two woman in a tower for a few years and see what happens. Make one a maid and new to the scene. Make the upperclass woman have problems and bring on the rats to begin eating their supplies. Then, let them have visitors (whom they cannot see) and begin writing.<br />
<br />
The character of Dashti, the maid, was very intriguing. It is her story, written by her own hand. She has the interesting ability to sing a person's physical and mental pains away -- either a type of healing or a living bottle of ibuprofen. She is unable to cure what ails her mistress. But she is determined to be a good attendant -- after all, she swore an oath -- and make sure they survive the seven years. What happens when it appears those on the outside have disappeared and the supplies are dangerously low?<br />
<br />
*Spoiler Alert*<br />
I did not enjoy their adventures outside of the tower (which is the second half of the book) as much. The danger, lies and suspense all leads up to a very happy ending, of course, but I wanted something more. Maybe it would have been better if Dashti had remained the subservient one. She ends up being the one with more power and strength. Lady Saren never is able to confront her abusive father or her abusive fiancé. It seems as though she remained in the tower.<br />
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What did this book have to do with my faith? Dashti is constantly talking to, worshipping and honoring the gods. Her internal and written self-examinations are always in the light of who she is and who her gods would expect her to be. I really liked both of those things as they reminded me of how to live a disciplined life: pray always and be willing to have daily confession/self-examination. How often do you pray? Examine yourself?<br />
<br />
I recommend this book.<br />
<br />
Happy reading!<br />
<br />
AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-15017760028283557422013-07-10T09:55:00.000-05:002013-07-10T09:55:31.020-05:00First Grave on the Right<a href="http://us.macmillan.com/firstgraveontheright/DaryndaJones">First Grave on the Right</a><br />
By <a href="http://www.daryndajones.net/">Darynda Jones</a><br />
<br />
Okay, this will be a first for me. I am going to highly recommend a book that I didn't enjoy, namely because the next books are awesome. <u>First Grave on the Right</u> will be worth it when you begin reading <u>Second Grave on the Left</u>, <u>Third Grave Straight Ahead</u> and <u>Fourth Grave</u> <u>Under My Feet</u>. <u>Fifth Gave Past the Light</u> just came out yesterday (July 9) and I am seriously considering buying this book (yep, miss cheap library/bookswap may just have to cave in).<br />
<br />
First Grave received all kinds of honors but I just don't understand how. Sure, a character who sees dead people who need to come through her to get to heaven is new but Charley does not seem like the type of person any living soul would want to be around for any length of time. I really got tired of her immature and snarky personality. In addition, she figures stuff out in this first book that solves at least two mysteries. Yet, she is working with her Uncle, a veteran police officer with the resources of the force behind him, a very successful skip-tracer who dogs her heals AND <u>three</u> dead lawyers who are determined to find out who killed them. Who is the smart one here? Surely the lawyers at least would have unraveled the clues Charley finds before death if not afterwards. I suppose Jones is simply introducing Private Investigator Charlene Davidson and wants her to show off a bit. But it does not sound like anyone else is competent at all. And Charley is always making smart-*%^ comments about and to everyone she converses with - including her family and good friends. I kept wondering why anyone even liked her, let alone spent time with her.<br />
<br />
I also did not like how repetitive and long-winded Jones would become. All she would have had to do is to introduce Garrett and mention how he didn't like Charley now that he knows her secret. But every time Charley sees him from then on in the book, this gets mentioned. It got very tiring. And Charley would think about someone or see someone and then think about these long stories or histories about this or that person or situation. I was listening to this book on CD and really wished I had a hard copy so I could skip entire paragraphs.<br />
<br />
So, why did I decide to read the next book? Reyes Farrow. Charley's love interest is a mysterious character that she only met once as a teenager. He now appears to her in very erotic dreams. As she begins to get closer to solving her waking mysteries, she also begins to learn more about Reyes and the connection the two of them have. I won't tell you more as I will spoil it for you (plus I am having trouble remember what is revealed in which novel!).<br />
<br />
What did this book have to do with my faith? God exists. Yep. Charley is the conduit to help folks cross over into heaven and God is surely behind her ability. Nice to have a secular book uphold God's existence. Of course, some discussion takes place about the King of Lies but it only confirms God's power and sovereignty.<br />
<br />
I highly recommend that you read this book!<br />
<br />
Happy reading!<br />
<br />
AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-88164472101774554422013-07-01T01:00:00.000-05:002013-07-01T01:00:10.428-05:00Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary<a href="http://fablehaven.wikia.com/wiki/Fablehaven:_Secrets_of_the_Dragon_Sanctuary">Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary</a><br />
By <a href="http://www.mormonwiki.com/Brandon_Mull">Brandon Mull</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Well, the books are getting longer in the Fablehaven series and Seth and Kendra are getting into more danger and loss. This book seemed particularly dark to me. A lot of unhappy things happened to both brother and sister and their friends. Seth was very annoying and I found myself tired of his really immature behavior. He keeps saying he has learned his lessons about obeying the rules, yet he continues to do his own thing. He does end up saving lives but at what expense?<br />
<br />
I kept trying to identify the traitor in their midst but came up hopelessly wrong. I was really thrown for a loop when someone who was very trusted ended up being a major enemy. In fact, I thought that the means for overcoming this new threat was almost an afterthought and very anti-climatic. Mull keeps surprising, even at this late date.<br />
<br />
What did this book have to do with my faith? Seth has become a shadow charmer which means that he has several new abilities, including hearing evil things talking. As he talks with his grandpa about this new ability, he is given some wise advice. <b style="font-style: italic;">"...I do know that there is a difference between hearing and listening. You can't always help what you hear. But you can control what holds your interest, what you choose to dwell on." </b>How I wish I could hold on to that advice. I hear many things -- some from the world around me and others from fellow Christians. I tend to hear the criticisms, the evil, the poorer influences louder than the encouragement and the love. Yet, I do have the ability to choose what I dwell on. What do you choose to dwell on?<br />
<br />
I recommend this book for those of you who have already read books 1-3.<br />
<br />
Happy reading!<br />
<br />
AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-70508258738110391882013-06-28T01:00:00.000-05:002013-06-28T01:00:00.151-05:00Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fablehaven:_Grip_of_the_Shadow_Plague">Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague</a><br />
By <a href="http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Brandon-Mull/43344647/biography">Brandon Mull</a><br />
<br />
The third book in the Fablehaven series is a very fun romp through the world of Mull's Fablehaven. Kendra and Seth Sorensen continue to deal with the fact that there is a traitor in their midst. A shadow plague begins to spread through the Fablehaven preserve, turning good magical creatures into dark reflections of themselves. It will take some courage and craziness from the two siblings plus major help from the past to overcome this rising darkness.<br />
<br />
Mull continues to share surprises, new magical creatures and funny dialogue as this series continues. Kendra seems a bit lost and unsure of herself in this book while Seth makes more mistakes that get him into trouble and out of it. Kendra begins to have a crush on another Knight of the Dawn within which she becomes inducted. A new preserve is visited and dangers literally lurk around every corner. Mull does a wonderful job of keeping the reader in suspense while enjoying the journey.<br />
<br />
What did this book have to do with my faith? Grandpa and Seth are discussing why the magical creatures are susceptible to the darkness and Grandpa says: "<b><i>We humans are conflicted beings. Our beliefs don't always harmonize with our instincts, and our behavior doesn't always reflect our beliefs. We constantly struggle with right and wrong. We wage war between the person we are and the person we hope to become. We have a lot of practicing wrestling with ourselves</i></b> (Page 326)." I really thought about how that pertains to our Christian beliefs. How often does my behavior reflect my beliefs? I recently met a young man who does not follow Christ because his parents, committed church-attenders, don't act like Christians. I don't know the details but I did get the impression that they are really cruel people - especially to their family. I wonder how often wrong wins when we struggle between who we attempt to be as Christians and who we really are.<br />
<br />
I recommend this book, especially for those of you who are following this Fablehaven series.<br />
<br />
Happy reading!<br />
<br />
AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-5660578001679831442013-06-26T10:07:00.000-05:002013-06-26T10:07:52.007-05:00Princess Academy<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Academy">Princess Academy</a><br />
By <a href="http://www.squeetus.com/stage/shannon_bio.html">Shannon Hale</a><br />
<br />
Princess Academy is about, well, girls who are sent to an academy to learn how to be a princess. This is because it has been decreed that the next princess is to come from the territory of Mount Eskel, where these girls are from. The girls aged 14-18 are to spend the next several months in education and training. Then the prince will visit them and choose his bride from among the girls. The very top girl will be introduced first and have a much nicer dress. Because the village of Mount Eskel is in the mountains near the mines, there are no appropriate buildings for this academy. Therefore all the girls must travel to the nearest stone building located at the mountain pass.<br />
<br />
The academy is rather horrific and the methods used to "discipline" the girls would certainly be considered child abuse. The girls are all illiterate and used to hard labor. I suppose we would call them country or even uncivilized. The main character, Miri, is a tough character who eventually becomes a leader and learns what makes her people unique. Her understanding will eventually better the lives of her family and their village. But the question remains, does Miri want to be a princess?<br />
<br />
I really enjoyed this book. I would consider it a quick read but with some very good characters and life lessons. I would love my son to read it but he would most likely consider it too girly.<br />
<br />
What did Princess Academy have to do with my faith? Would it not be helpful for new Christians to go to some academy to learn how to be a child of God? There they could learn to read the Bible, interpret scripture, pray, practice Spiritual disciplines and become Christians. However, life as a follower of Christ is not like that. We must learn on the job, follow good Christian mentors, and make mistakes even as we grow. Like Miri trying to discern if she really wants to be a princess, we still have to struggle again and again if we really want to be God's child. Loving God and neighbor is not something someone can really teach us -- we have to live it out through the help of the Holy Spirit.<br />
<br />
I recommend <u>Princess Academy.</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
Happy reading!<br />
<br />
AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-22332339025382369122013-06-24T01:00:00.000-05:002013-06-24T01:00:07.447-05:00An Officer's Duty<a href="http://www.jeanjohnson.net/AnOfficersDuty.html">An Officer's Duty</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jeanjohnson.net/">Jean Johnson</a><br />
<br />
<u>An Officer's Duty</u> continues to follow the life of Ia who has several paranormal abilities including being able to read the future. The setting is in a space-traveling future. Ia has determined that her best attempt at saving the human race is to join the military and she has now been promoted as an officer. The first book left lots of questions unanswered and this book attempted to answer many of them.<br />
<br />
Compared to the first book in <i>Theirs Not to Reason Why</i> series, Ia is a much more vulnerable and approachable character. In the first book, you just saw how a Marine might go through basic training and serve in space some time in the future. Now that Ia is an officer, the pace of the book slows down. We see her traveling home for a brief visit, preparing for the next step she must take to save humanity and even falling in love -- something she rejects as she knows this can derail her plans to keep the human race from being annihilated.<br />
<br />
The main problem I had with the book was the main character's trying to be humble when it just didn't feel genuine. Ia is not a humble character. She is driven to save the world. You have got to have a certain level of self-confidence and belief in your own abilities in order to be a hero at least one time. Ia keeps being a hero again and again. She tries to act humble but it comes across as just that -- an act.<br />
<br />
What did this book have to do with my faith? How willing am I to do anything to save others? Ia has structured her whole life to save as many people as possible. As a Christian, I am to share the good news -- the news that will save lives eternally. Yet, how often do I shy away from speaking to people about Christ? From forming relationships? Admiting I am Christian, much less a minister.? It is much easier to stay in my comfort zone. Ia has forced herself out of her own comfort zone to save as many lives as possible. Certianly, she has a formadible will and courageous strength. She is fully capable. Am I not as capable to share the gospel? What about you?<br />
<br />
I recommend this book for Jean Johnson fans and those who read the first in the series.<br />
<br />
Happy reading!<br />
<br />
AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-23668876581537379922013-06-21T01:00:00.000-05:002013-06-21T01:00:09.022-05:00Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fablehaven:_Rise_of_the_Evening_Star">Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star</a><br />
By <a href="http://brandonmull.com/site/author-about">Brandon Mull</a><br />
<br />
The second in the Fablehaven series is still as great as the first book. We continue to see the adventures of Kendra Sorenson and her brother, Seth. Their grandparents are keepers of a refuge for mythical and magical creatures. Kendra left that refuge at the end of the summer fairykissed - she can now see mythical creatures and things that others cannot see. What she sees is that the new guy that everyone in school is so crazy about is actually a grotesque monster. Then, she and her brother are approached by someone claiming to be friends with their grandfather. He says he can get rid of the strange new student by giving him something he will be forced to take to a foreign place. Seth is thereby convinced to steal a frog statue from a funeral home, unknowingly plunging the two siblings into danger and mayhem. Someone is not to be trusted among their grandparents' group of friends. Will they find out who it is before the frog statue comes to eat the one who brought him back to life?<br />
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As always, it isn't easy to make the second book as good as the first, but Mull does it beautifully. This is the kind of book and book series that you would want to buy for your godchild, grandson or niece. It is fun and full of adventure without being too violent or scary.<br />
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What did this book have to do with my faith? One of the biggest issues in Rise of the Evening Star is the issue of trust. Whether it means trusting someone who can see things you can't, or trusting a so-called friend or even trusting those you know and love, trust is not an easy thing to develop and it can be easily broken. As Christians, we are told to trust in the Lord. Yet, how often are we trusting in something we cannot fully see? Perhaps we have had other times in our lives when we trusted in God and were blessed by that trust. We can then depend on what we have experienced. But at some point there will come a time that our trust is tested or stretched. We must then take a step of faith and put ourselves fully in God's hands. May our trust be deep enough to hold.<br />
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I highly recommend this book.<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-55832631887755453182013-06-19T01:00:00.000-05:002013-06-19T01:00:01.734-05:00Through the Ever Night<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EblNe_Buqh4">Through the Ever Night</a><br />
By <a href="http://veronicarossibooks.blogspot.com/p/bio.html">Veronica Rossi</a><br />
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I grabbed this second book in the series when I got <u>Under the Never Sky</u>. Now I can't wait for the third installment, <u>Into the Still Blue</u>, which is coming out next January. There is also an ebook story available about two other characters in the series.<br />
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In this second book, Aria and Perry have been separated for just a few months but both have been through many changes and challenges. They struggle to keep their romance while meeting expectations of other people. Aria becomes closer to Perry's friend Roar but theirs is not a romantic relationship. Aria and Perry seem to have doubled the amount of enemies around them and the land on which most of the remainder of humanity sits is in danger of being completely destroyed. Rossi tackles the principles of leadership, the sorrows of loss and growing in relationships while growing in maturity.<br />
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Maturity seems to be the real issue of this book. Perry and Aria are forced to make decisions without much wise or mature council. Everyone around them who can guide them seems to be about their same age and maturity level. Those who are older are either enemies or in the midst of their own difficulties.<br />
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That brings us to what this book had to do with my faith. I think it is so important that we find mature Christians who can help to guide and mentor us in our journey. No matter what age we are, we should do our best to find at least one or more mentor-types and we should listen to them. Get to know them. Spend time with them. Learn from them. Looking back, I see what lessons and guidance I received in my first church. Even though I was in my early thirties when I began preaching there, I still needed some coaching and guidance. There were several wise guides who helped me and one woman in particular who was such an inspiration and influence. I think my wise Christian friends include my prayer partner among others. Who are your mentors in the faith?<br />
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I highly recommend this book.<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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AmeliaAmeliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3165590833574426347.post-79649869706729825792013-06-17T01:00:00.000-05:002013-06-17T01:00:03.933-05:00Sweep Volume II<b><a href="http://sweepseries.tumblr.com/">Sweep</a></b><br />
By <a href="http://catetiernan.net/bio/">Cate Tiernan</a><br />
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<b>We've moved again -- I've lost count of how many times. Now we've come to Widow's Vale. Someone here intrigues me -- I sense power from her, power she doesn't know she has. I want to get closer to her, want to show her what she's capable of. I have to get close to her -- but will my love destroy her? Oh, Goddess, help me. - Cal Blaire</b><br />
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<b>For too long Cal Blaire and his mother Selene have gone unchecked. It's my job to discover what they're up to, and I've come from Ireland to do it. I didn't realize I would meet my soul mate in Widow's Vale. I didn't realize her magick would be so beautiful that it would change my world. I didn't realize that the person I wanted most would be in love with my worst enemy -- by brother. - Hunter Naill</b><br />
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From Cate Tiernan's website, <a href="http://catetiernan.net/">catetiernan.net</a>.<br />
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<u>Sweep Volume 2</u> contains the books Dark Magick, Awakening and Spellbound and continues the story of Morgan Rowlands and her legacy of witchcraft. If you have not read the first book in this series, you may not want to read this review as it will contain some spoilers from <u>Sweep</u> Volume I. Also, as I said in my other review, some readers may be turned off by the description of witchcraft, magick and other moral hot topics.<br />
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In this book, Morgan struggles between her love for Cal and her growing attraction to his half-brother Hunter. Morgan is racked by guilt over killing Hunter. But is he really dead? Cal is suddenly not what he seems. Is their love for real? Morgan's powers grow and her friendship with Bree may actually be on the mend even as her romantic life is horribly dismantled. Morgan realizes that the life she has chosen will not be easy and her struggles are only beginning.<br />
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What did this book have to do with my faith? I wish Christians were as avid about studying the bible and learning all they can about their faith as Morgan is about witchcraft. Of course, Morgan understands that her studying will protect her against her enemies and save the legacy of her bloodline. But shouldn't we have such an urgency? Our enemy, the father of lies, is just waiting around the next corner or in our next thoughts to strike us down. Should we not arm ourselves? Perhaps with the full armor of God? If so, then we will need to be spending time in prayer. We forget that putting on the armor is about protecting ourselves so that we can spend time in prayer. Spending time learning about our faith and studying God's world protects our own legacy as part of the Communion of Saints. And the power we receive comes directly from on high.<br />
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I recommend this book for those who read the first volume.<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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Amelia<br />
<i style="background-color: #82370d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"></i>Ameliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452079795786728515noreply@blogger.com0