Friday, May 22, 2015

The Choosing



                                                       



Summary: In a place where being chosen as a bride is what all girls live for, to not be chosen is a disappointment to all. Not to be chosen means to be torn from all you know and love. To be put in a place where nothing will ever change. Yet that is exactly what happens to Carrie. One whose training and schooling had ranked her the highest, who all thought she would be chosen, but was not. She is taken from her family, with the regret and not knowing why she wasn't chosen. She is now a Lint; a reject bride. Her life now will be working in factories that serve the city in which Carrie once lived. 

While adjusting to the new life as a lint, Carrie is given an opportunity that has not been given before. The chance to be chosen again by one of the officials of the city. She soon moves back to her home, as the fiancĂ© of Authority Isaac Knight. But all is not as it seems. An enemy is close, but no one can find him. Carrie's best friend is arrested, and in trying to help her, Carrie has placed herself as the next target. With time running out will the truth be known?

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I've enjoyed what books I've red by Ted Dekker, and when I saw his daughter, Rachelle Dekker, was writing this book, I was excited. I really enjoyed the story. It was full of excitement, twists and turns, and the characters were wonderful. The whole book kept me turning pages, and I couldn't put it down. Rachelle Dekker did a wonderful job writing the story, and making it full of excitment. The only thing that I would say in a negative way was that the beginning of the book was a bit confusing, but later on it was explained. (so all in all it was fine.) I fully enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next Seer novel. I would definitely suggest this book; it's a must read.
                                          
                                                   ~~~~

                             
 Author Q&A
Throughout the book, Carrington struggles with understanding her identity and worth and what is true. Why did you decide to write about the theme of identity? 
Someone once asked me, If you could leave one message for your younger sisters, what would it be? The answer was always the same: I would pray they knew what they were worth. Identity is everything. There isn’t a theme that doesn’t start with identity, or circle back to identity. Knowing who you truly are is the greatest journey we face. Am I enough; 
am I worth it? I believe everyone faces these questions, and I sought out to explore them through this story. 

What do you hope readers will take away from the story? 
I hope readers are filled with joy and power as they either realize for the first time who their Father is and what they are really worth, or as they simply remember this truth. 

The Choosing is the first of a three-book series. What can we expect in the next two books? 
More struggles with identity, but in different ways. Familiar characters dealing with fear and worry and forgiveness. We’ll walk with our characters as they continue to understand the true way of Aaron’s Father. More excitement, more romance (of course), and more self-discovery. 


What is it like being Ted Dekker’s daughter? Did your father help you with the writing process? 
Being Ted’s daughter is wonderful! He’s the best, but then I hope many daughters feel that way about their fathers. He is a bit of a mystery, though. Sometimes, even sitting at the dinner table, I can tell he’s lost in thought, and I wonder what it might be like to have his mind. 
It’s been a blessing to watch him write and struggle with writing, so that now when I struggle I have an understanding ear to talk off. He is always willing to talk me through the emotional and mental side of writing (which is where the biggest battles lie in wait) but as far as story, for the most part he lets me fend for myself. It’s always been important to me to write through my challenges on my own. To figure out scenes alone. In fact, he didn’t even read The Choosing until I was already in conversations with Tyndale about publication. I think that’s because he wanted me to believe I could do it on my own. 
But when I doubt my ability as a writer, and when I forget who I am, he is the one I call. And he reminds me that life is a journey of remembering and forgetting, and helps me in remembering once again. 


I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
I received this book free from Tyndale Blogger Network for a honest review. 

tyndalerewards.com






Monday, May 11, 2015

Becoming God's True Woman


                                 
SummaryHave you ever wondered why God made both Male and Female? Have you thought about His purpose for you as a female? Have you considered the fact that God has intentionally planned everything about your life? Yes, yes, and yes?!
Then, join Bible teachers Susan Hunt and Mary A. Kassian in this 35-day devotional digging deep into God's Word, hearing what He says about your womanhood, and learning how to  live as a "true woman" day by day. Each day begins with a short devotion and then A Time For You section -- a time for you to read...to think..to pray...to live for God's glory Interspersed throughout are personal stories and thoughts from girls like you

                                                      ~~~~

A 35 day Bible Study, this study is full of words encouragement and is great for young woman. I've enjoyed what I have done so far in this Bible Study. Each section has a devotion type study, with verses and different things in life to consider. It includes sections to write notes and journal, and encouraging stories. In this study the authors, Susan Hunt and Mary Kassian, help you filter through the advice of many people to help you discover God's exciting plan for you.


This study is geared for young women, for those on the verge of entering their tween/mid-teen years.
I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars
I received this study free from mpnewsroom for a honest review

tyndalerewards.com

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Maggie Bright

                                           

Summary: England, 1940. Clare Childs knew life would change when she unexpectedly inherited the Maggie Bright―a noble fifty-two-foot yacht. In fact, she’s counting on it. But the boat harbors secrets. When a stranger arrives, searching for documents hidden onboard, Clare is pulled into a Scotland Yard investigation that could shed light on Hitler’s darkest schemes and prompt America to action.

Across the Channel, Hitler’s Blitzkrieg has the entire British army in retreat with little hope for rescue at the shallow beaches of Dunkirk. With time running out, Churchill recruits civilian watercraft to help. Hitler is attacking from land, air, and sea, and any boat that goes might not return. Yet Clare knows Maggie Bright must answer the call―piloted by an American who has refused to join the war effort until now and a detective with a very personal motive for exposing the truth.

The fate of the war hinges on this rescue. While two men join the desperate fight, a nation prays for a miracle.

                                                       ~~~~

First let me start off by saying how I loved this book. It is set during the beginning of World War 2 in England, and is about the battle at Dunkirk, and so many other things-before I read this book I have never heard of Dunkirk, and I was amazed.-
 I fell in love with all of the characters, how the authoress wove all of their lives together, and made a spectacular story. I love anything historical, and this novel was really amazing. The author introduces you to the time of when England knows nothing about the horrors of what the Nazis are doing, and how a small group of people are laying their lives down to show the truth of what's happening. Tracy Groot did a wonderful job with this book, and I couldn't stop reading it. It was full of twists and turns, and when I would finish a section of the book, I was full with excitement to see there was still more to come.
If you love history, action, and books about WW2 then you'll really enjoy it, I definitely suggest this book.

I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars
I received this book free from Tyndale Blog Network for an honest review

tyndalerewards.com

Monday, April 27, 2015

Aboard the Train: A Ewan Johns Adventure

                          

Summary: As Ewan begins his adventure across the land of Liberty, he searches for two people to be his companions on the race against his brother. As he is on the train traveling toward his first check point, he runs into two young stowaways, sisters, who Ewan takes in his care.

Ewan is a great character, and I like him because he has a similar personality as I do. (Being an older sibling for example.) Though this is a relatively short book for older readers, it grabs your attention, and you wish there was more. CJ is a great author. I love reading her books, and I definitely suggest this series.
Hope you'll pick up a copy!

5 out of 5 stars.
Thanks to CJ for the review copy.

tyndalerewards.com

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Books Soon to be Reviewed

Here is a list of some books that I'll be reviewing soon. Hope you have a great week to read!

               
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Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Church Behind the Wire

                                               

Summary: From the oppression and terror of the killing fields in Cambodia, this is the story of how one man's conversion led to a rebirth of faith that brought hope to a nation. Commissioned by Communists to spy on a Christian evangelistic crusade, Barnabas Mam instead discovered Jesus and came to faith in Him. After spending four years in prison camps at the hands of the Khmer Rouge Barnabas emerged as one of only 200 surviving Christians in all of Cambodia. God raised him up to became the foremost evangelist and church planter in a land broken by genocide. An inspiring story on a personal, church, and national level, this is more than a narrative--it's a blueprint for success for church growth of the most powerful kind.



Although I liked Church Behind the Wire, I can't say I loved it. Maybe because it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. Reading the story of what happened in Cambodia was very interesting, and I think that is good to know about persecuted Christian, though I don't really suggest this book. (Though there are some who might like it.) Reading wasn't enjoyable, and I just kind of ended up putting it down after a while.  (Though one isn't suppose to love reading about the cruel things persecuted Christians go through, I've been interested in many other books compared to this one.)

I received this book free from mpnewsroom for a honest review.
I would rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Holman Bible Atlas



Summary:
The Holman Bible Atlas illuminates the Bible for a whole new generation of students and teachers by introducing them to the physical, cultural, and historical settings of the biblical narrative. Integrating insights from physical and historical geaography, archaeology, ancient historical sources, and the Bible itself, the Atlas presents 132 newly designed full-color maps complete with specific biblical texts to assist teachers and students alike in understanding.

I really enjoy searching the Scriptures and studying the context, as well as the historical/archaeology of the biblical time period. When I got this atlas I was really excited about it. It is filled with many maps and photographs, and many great notes. It begins in the Genesis to the Jewish revolt all the way to 300 A.D.
This Bible atlas is packed with lots of information, and I would differently suggest you pick up one.

I received this book free from bhpublishing group
I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.