An Easy Mystery

I was given a copy of A Summer Secret by Kathleen Fuller to review for Thomas Nelson Publishing.  It is about a thirteen year old Amish girl that would like some privacy from her three brothers that are always pestering her. So she decides to create her own little world inside an old barn, she has a journal some food and no brothers in her secret place.  But then she runs into some problems. First off,  her Father has forbidden her to go to the barn anymore, plus she realizes that someone else has found her secret hideaway and therefore she's not as alone as she thought she was.

One day Mary's twin brother followers her to the barn and that is when they discover that someone else is hiding there also.  Now this creates a problem for the two of them as how to handle this situation.  Should they tell their Father about this ?  If they do will they get into trouble because they were doing something he had forbidden them to do?

This book is written for young readers but I think many adults would enjoy it, I know I did.  It is a clean Christian story and although there isn't much of a mystery going on, it is still very much worth reading.  Ms. Fuller really helps the reader by giving an insight into the Amish lifestyle that perhaps otherwise you would not have access to.  This is a easy read for those times when you just want to read something simple, or when you are looking for one of those Happy Ever After sort of things.  But simple as it was, I enjoyed it.  It reminds me of the Little House On The Prairie Days.

Giveaway---Giveaway---Giveaway!!!!

I was sent the book The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews, a story of second chances, by the Thomas Nelson Company to review for them and they also sent me a second copy to do with as I choose.  Naturally my first thought was  GIVEAWAY!  But first let me tell you a little bit about the book just to get you so very interested, which trust me this is an interesting book.

This book is about a lady whose name is Helen that is now a widow after losing her husband to the Germans.  Her faith and everything she believes in is tested when an officer from a German U-boat washes up on the shore near her home.  She now realizes that his life depends on her and she can't stop thinking about her own husband.  Now can she overcome her anger and help this person whose life actually is in her hands?  Helen Mason can barely exist in her life in 1942, she lives in Alabama, but is constantly living with anger and resentment that her husband was killed by Germans during this awful war.  She has no way of knowing that the man that has just washed up on her shore is also living a broken life.  He was on a German U-boat that was in the Gulf of Mexico, and yet he so wanted to be home with his wife and daughter.

The photographs that are in this book of the artifacts that were found in the author's backyard let you know that this is factual, and yet while you are reading it you think that this must be fiction because of the way things turn out or rather are turned around.

When I finished this book I was stunned.  I wanted to so believe that it was true, and yet Mr. Andrews says "it is mostly fact."   First you have a wounded German found by a woman in Alabama, she cannot tolerate Germans, or does she find it in her heart to just help another human being.  You then discover that each has a past that will require them to make choices.

I will not say much more but will add this one bit.  You know how when you finish a book you think to yourself, "I wonder what happened after that?"  Mr. Andrews tells us what happened to Helen and Josef, and you find yourself thinking that you have finally come to the end of the story.  But guess what, I found myself thinking about going into my back yard and digging a hole to see what I might find.  I didn't mention that part did I?  I can't tell everything I know.


Now, on to the Giveaway from May 8, 2010 until May 31, 2010
1. Leave a comment on this blog equals one chance
2.  Being a Follower equals one chance
3.  List my giveaway on your blog with a link back here to me equals one chance.
4.  Drawing will be done on May 31 and the winner posted on June 1.
5.  Make sure I have a way to email you or else you will have to come back to see if you've won.
6.  If I'm not contacted with 48 hours another name will be drawn.
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Want something to grab onto?

Never let you go by Erin Healy is a book I received from Thomas Nelson Publishers to review for them, it is 344 pages long and it keeps your interest going the whole time, as I finished it in one afternoon and night.  It is truly a story that will keep you hanging in there until you finish it also. The main characters in this book are Lexi Solomon and her daughter Molly. There is even a murderer in this book that you will find yourself sympathizing with.  Each person brings their own outlook into this story and each is right to some extent in their belief.

To me the book did start off a little slow to my liking but it wasn't long before it seemed to be going along just right.  The characters are very strong people and help point out some of the great points in the story. Healy took Lexi's self pity and made her take the responsibility for the part she played in the disasters that had happened during her life.  The impact of the story did not leave out hope, love or forgiveness,  there were so very many good points in this story.

The author did a great job of creating the plot without blood and guts, yes it is a dark story but that is because of certain actions. The characters find themselves in a real mess and they are the only ones that can get theirselves out of it.

As I said, this one will grab onto you and you'd better hang on for this ride, it's one you will not soon forget.

Could You Have Done This?

I received the book the secret Holocaust Diaries by Nonna Bannister from Tyndale Publishers to review for them.  I wasn't so sure I wanted to read about all the terrible things that happened but then I decided if I wanted to help make sure nothing like this ever happened again I needed to see it through her eyes.  Nonna Bannister kept a large trunk that held a portion of her life that she so wanted to forget, so she locked them all away in that trunk and that is where they stayed for half a century.  She was given a diary when she was 9 years old and that is what started her writing, after that she would write on any little scrap piece of paper she could find and also yellow pads when she could get them.  She wore a pillow tied around her stomach and that is where she hid all of her writing.  She kept them hidden for so many years and then she finally decided to tell her husband about her tortured life.  She was born into a wealthy Ukrainian family but then when World War II started her life started to change in ways she couldn't understand.

This book is about everything that happened to her and her family, the death of her Mother, about a young boy that gave his life so she would be saved.  It is not a pleasant book to read but it certainly will make you open your eyes and realize what all these people went through.  Then I wonder if I could have made it even one week, would I have had the strength and the faith to carry on?  Everyone should read this, it will make you think of our way of life now compared to what they had.  This would be an eye opener for anybody plus perhaps a book that will make us all stop and think before something happens again.

Walk Like You Have Somewhere To Go

Walk Like You Have Somewhere To Go by Lucille O'Neal with Allison Samuels. Lucille O'Neal is the mother of basketball great Shaquille O'Neal and in here she shares her life in a very simple way. The book will grab your attention quickly, and will hold onto it.  I enjoyed the style of the writing and the length of the chapters, it is just perfect. The book is only 225 pages and since it holds your attention so well you will discover you have read the whole book very quickly. I received this copy from Thomas Nelson to review for them, and I am so glad I did.

Lucille O'Neal tells her story and the process she went through to change "From Mental Welfare to Mental Health". Most everyone can relate to her because she shares the facts of her life and also opens her heart in a very sincere and meaningful way. Her story is very inspiring and gives all of us an insight into social and moral issues that she had to deal with. She shares a story about the Reverend Hartsfield, in Chapter 6, and how he has impressed and improved her life until present day. As you read this book take special note of that Chapter and you will understand how much help he was for her. 

If you get the chance to read this, take it.  It is not a 'basketball' story, it is a simple but hard story of a woman with a great deal of courage.  She knew what she wanted and she was going to get it, although she knew the road would be a tough one.....but not tougher than Lucille O'Neal..

Hand Of Fate

The book Hand Of Fate by Lis Wiehl was given to me by Thomas Nelson as a complimentary copy to read and write a review for them. As I have not read any of her work before I was going in not really knowing what to expect of her writing style.

The series, A Triple Threat Novel, features three major characters: Federal prosecutor Allison Pierce, FBI special agent Nicole Hedges and TV crime reporter Cassidy Shaw, all friends from high school who have reconnected as adults. The background stories of these main characters provide depth and interest to the series as they work together to solve the murders.

A radio talk show host is a rude person, he states his mind no matter what and if you don't like it well that's just too bad. But then....there's a poisonous gas and he is the only one that dies from it. Was it meant for him? Who sent him this envelope and how did they know he would be the one to open it?

The story makes you feel like you are right in there with everybody trying to escape the lethal gas. But somehow things don't connect like they should, people are getting sick and then they aren't sick. Sounds interesting doesn't it? Then you have the personal connection that nobody knew about, was she in on his murder? Or was it actually one of his radio listeners that had just gotten fed up with him and decided to take matters into his own hands.

Naturally I won't tell the end as that would spoil it for you, but I will say this. You'd better pack a suitcase because you are going on one heck of a trip with this novel.

Good Love Story

An Honest Love by Kathleen Fuller was given to me by Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Group as a complimentary issue to read and post a review.  The story starts out with us in Ohio where we have an Amish woman who was engaged to be married in three days finds out the man she had been engaged to for three years says he does not want to marry her. Not only was this just such a blow to her that she couldn't believe it her man ups and marries another woman from another district very soon after their separation.  But she knows her life must go on but to where?  Fate steps in and she and her Mother move to help out an uncle who had a bad fall and was to injured to take care of himself.  Anna has always wanted a business of her own so she and her Mother buy this little gift shop in the small town that gets a lot of tourists that are curious about the Amish and want to purchase handmade items.  Now Anna is certainly not looking for a male interest after her last problem but then she happens upon Lukas.  Suddenly her whole world becomes problem after problem and dream after dream.  This is such a simple look at love and a simple way of life that you wish you could just step right into the book and into their world.  This is a well written love story and you will not want to put it down when you start it.  I would recommend this to any of my friends, even teenage girls, definitely one you should pick up.  It is 296 pages and is easily finished in a day but you will find yourself wanting to go back and read it a couple of days later.

Why Do We Say Certain Things?

Why You Say It by Webb Garrison, the fascinating stories behind over 600 everyday words and phrases.  I rceived this complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson Booksneeze project to review for them.  This book is such a delight to read through that you will be amazed at how much you will find yourself actually laughing out loud.  In case you don't understand what it is really about let me explain it a little better. You will find yourself making statements that then you will stop and wonder, "Where did that phrase really come from?"  Basically it is about the evolution of words, like where did "Make ends meet" come from, or how about, "Loophole", "Face Off",  "Fall Guy."  Do you know where all these terms originated?  Until I picked this book up I can say that I hadn't a clue.  But as I said before there are over 600 everyday words and phrases that will be explained and the answers will surprise you.  Plus it talks about how some "older" words have changed into the now generation phrases.  So the next time we think the younger generation is talking in strange words, you might want to check out this book first.

Pretty On The Outside As Well As On The Inside

I received the girls application Study Bible from Tyndale Network to read and look over then write a review about it.  I can tell you this 1505 page Bible is like non other.  Now first off it is a grape color with a butterfly on the cover that wraps from the front around the spine and then onto the back, just gorgeous.  But is that why you buy this book, because it is pretty?  No, that is why you buy those shoes.  This Bible says it is for the girls from 11 years old and up, well let me tell you this.  The way this study Bible is written it really explains in more simple terms what is really going on.  It gives you examples in modern terms so we all can relate to what they are saying.  I guess what I'm saying is they have changed the wording around in the passages into more simple terms that I can understand much better.  There is no way you can get lost or confused, they have it very well organized.  Also it is broken down into sections like the lives of the Famous Women, good and bad, in the Bible. There are also actual survivor stories from girls that made it through situations that you might find yourself in some time, it tells you in what part of the Bible they found their strength and answers.  Actually, this entire book is such a delight to just open anywhere and start reading because it is explained so well you will automatically know where you are and be hooked on their style of explaining it.  I would recommend this to any young girl that is full of questions and needs some help finding the answers, or even to anyone like me, 60 years old and enjoys a great book......and still needs some answers.

Do You Ever Tell A Lie?

Lies The Government Told You by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano is 349 pages of extremely interesting facts that we don't know about...but we should.  I was given a complimentary copy by Thomas Nielson Booksneeze group to review for them.  The forward is written byCongressman Ron Paul and one of his favorite chapters in here deals with monetary policy.  You feel like you know what is going on and fully understand the reasoning behind some strange decisions.  But trust me, until you read this book you are not aware enough of all the facts and manipulations that goes on in our government.  They try to make us believe that what they do is for our own good, and they are only doing this to help the common person.  Then you find out the true meaning behind some of their ideas and you realize that it was right in front of you the whole time, but someone had put some dark shades over your eyes and you just could not see it.  Some of you may watch Judge Napolitano on his show "Freedom Watch" on the Fox network or perhaps you have seen him fill in as guest host for Glen Beck, he has also written 4 other books and they all are fantastic at opening your eyes and your ears.  He is considered an expert on our Constitition, and don't we need someone to back up the common people in that area?  I guess the bottom line is this book, as it says on the cover, is about Myth, Power, and Deception in American History, and he goes all the way back to George Washington.  So if you are into politics, history, government issues, or just your own freedoms, than this book is for you.  Think about when you finish reading it, pass it along to someone else, maybe there is hope for us yet if we learn the truth.