Thursday, November 18, 2010

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball - a Waterbrook Multnomah Review

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul is a novella about two people who work at the same place but who really don't know each other at all. Through a little act of mystery and magic, the two end up bumping into each other quite frequently, even being invited to a mysterious Christmas Ball that no one else in town seems to know anything about.

The two main characters in this book, Cora Crowder and Simon Derrick, will make you smile. The supporting characters, Simon's sister Sandy, the Wizbotterdads and the Booterbaws will make you laugh.

This Christian novella will delight you with a little mystery, a little fairy-tale like magical "happily ever after" feel while at the same time making you wonder if happily ever after may ever happen for the characters in this book.

I heartily recommend this delightful read. It was a pleasant read, a quick read, and I wish there was a sequel! A girl can dream, right?

Here's the run-down of what I think of the book:
Ease of reading ..................... 5/5
Supporting Details ................ 5/5
Sufficient Length ................... 5/5
Ability to hold my interest ... 5/5
Overall Impression ........ 5/5

Here's a video trailer of the book:




I received Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball as a complimentary gift in exchange for review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers.

When you see this image, it represents books that I highly recommend!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Son of Hamas - a Tyndale Review

Son of Hamas, the story of Mosab Hassan Yousef, is a gripping story of the eldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a founding leader of Hamas.

Mosab starts his story with a little history of Islam and the founding of Hamas. He talks about being raised under his father's belief in and devotion to Allah and his care for the people. Mosab has a high respect for his father, a caring man whose love and compassion for others rubbed off on Mosab. However, as Hamas' reputation for violence grew, Mosab became more accepting of that violence. As a young man, he praised Saddam Hussein's war efforts and celebrated the loss of life.

The book divulges history of the strife between the Palestinians and the Israelis and Mosab's involvement with both--as the middleman. As an adult, Mosab became more disenchanted with Hamas' role in terrorism. Mosab became a "collaborator" with an Israeli group, in an effort to stop the killing. Through his efforts, Mosab was able to spare many lives while risking his own life in the process. During his time working with them, Mosab also became friends with some Christians. After having been given a New Testament, Mosab's mind began opening to the truth of Jesus' words, and over six years' time, Mosab began to realize that Jesus' focus on loving our neighbors is more important than who owns a piece of land.

I loved reading Mosab's account of his life. It was such a blessing to read of his coming to Christ after having dealt with all he had during his young life. I highly recommend this book. You won't be able to put it down! The danger, the frustration, and the seeming hopelessness of Mosab's story will grip you.

Here's the run-down of what I think of the book:
Ease of reading ..................... 5/5
Supporting Details ................ 5/5
Sufficient Length ................... 5/5
Ability to hold my interest ... 5/5
*Organization of material ..... 5/5
Overall Impression ........ 5/5

*Specific to non-fiction reviews.

If you're interested in reading a teaser, go to Tyndale's website to read the first chapter. You won't be disappointed!

I am a member of Tyndale Blog Network, a fabulous website that sends free books to read and keep if you write a review for your blog and for a major retailer (such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble). Tyndale Blog Network is through Tyndale House Publishers.
When you see this image, it represents books that I highly recommend!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Heaven is for Real - a BookSneeze Review

Heaven is for Real, written by Todd Burpo, was a really nice read. The book is about Burpo's son Colton, who had a near-death experience while having an emergency appendectomy.

Colton was able to describe heaven. He described God's throne and how truly BIG God was and, even more, how big God's love is for His children. He described how Jesus looked, down to what He was wearing and his facial description. He told his parents about who he saw in heaven: Jesus' cousin John who baptized Jesus, the angel Gabriel, his great-grandfather (whom he'd never met), angels, and other people.

He was able to describe in such detail that his parents simply felt that what four-year-old Colton described was indeed true.

Parts of the account drew my skepticism (such as people in heaven with wings), but overall it's a nice story. It would be fitting for those who like to read accounts of visions or near-death experiences. It is not a difficult read; I was able to read it in a 2-hour sitting. It was gripping and entertaining at the same time.

Here's the run-down of what I think of the book:
Ease of reading ..................... 5/5
Supporting Details ................ 4/5
Sufficient Length ................... 4/5
Ability to hold my interest ... 4/5
*Organization of material ..... 4/5
Overall Impression ........ 4/5

*Specific to non-fiction reviews.

I am a member of BookSneeze, a fabulous program through Thomas Nelson. BookSneeze sends members free books to read and keep in exchange for written reviews on a blog and on a major retailer's website (such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble).

Monday, November 1, 2010

Unlocked - a Zondervan Review

First, I'll just get this little confession out of the way right now.

I AM A KAREN KINGSBURY FANGIRL. lol I discovered her nearly two years ago, and I feel like I've deprived myself of the years that I could've already been reading her books! She's truly been given a God-given gift of writing what she refers to as "Life Changing Fiction". It is definitely that, and for any of you who have read her books, I'm sure you would nod and smile your agreement. So now that I've made my confession, let's get on with my review. . . .

Unlocked, written by Karen Kingsbury, is an amazing story about a high school boy trapped inside himself. Having been autistic since the age of three, after what his mother suspected was too much exposure to mercury during vaccinations, Holden Harris and his loved ones found themselves trapped in a different type of world--a world of pain, sorrow, lost opportunities.

When Holden is reunited with his childhood playmate, Ella, a remarkable transformation is witnessed by his loved ones and his classmates.

This is an incredible story, the characters are portrayed beautifully, and if you don't find yourself tearing up, I would really be surprised. Karen has truly outdone herself with this one.

I don't want to give away more of the story, but I will say this: You simply must read this one!

Here's the run-down of what I think of the book:
Ease of reading ..................... 5/5
Supporting Details ................ 5/5
Sufficient Length ................... 5/5
Ability to hold my interest ... 5/5
Overall Impression ........ 5/5


I received Unlocked as a complimentary gift in exchange for review from Zondervan.

When you see this image, it represents books that I highly recommend!