Month: October 2018

Book Review · Books

This Season Of Angels

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I haven’t read many, if any books on the topic of angels. When I got asked if I’d be interested in reviewing a book about angels by Perry Stone I took the opportunity. I have heard about Perry Stone and know he’s a very popular Christian author and preacher. This is my first book of his that I’ve read.

This Season Of Angels chronicles the different times in the Bible when angels have assisted believers whether protecting them from harm, telling them an important message, or providing them nourishment when needed. Pastor Stone also, sprinkles in a few person stories of experiences with angels and a few experiences by friends/family members.

I received a complimentary copy of This Season Of Angels by Perry Stone from Faith Words. The views expressed in this review are strictly my own. If you have an interest in angels and the role they play you may enjoy this book. I find them interesting to a degree, but I found this book wasn’t for me. The Bible stories shared throughout seemed to be recycled over and over again. Also, there weren’t as many personal experiences as I was expecting. I might give Pastor Stone’s another go down the road.

Book Review · Books

Cockloft

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The cover to Cockloft endeared me right away as it reminded me of the cover of Jenny Lawson’s memoir, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened. Jenny’s cover has a mouse and Kyle’s has a squirrel, but both their poses are the same. Dramatic and hilarious.

If you love short chapters, have a healthy dose of snarky humor then you will enjoy this memoir of sorts. Kyle takes you behind the scenes of what gay married life is like in NY before Trump and during Trump. He also, takes you along on a few of his and Julius’ vacations. Some of my fave chapters include: Amsterdam, France, the squirrel chapters, and many others.

I received a complimentary ARC of Cockloft by Kyle Thomas Smith from Gatekeeper Press through Smith Publicity. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book Review · Books

The Reluctant Healer

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Will is an attorney who goes to a bar after work with his coworker and has a chance meeting with a mysterious woman named Erica. She captures Will’s interest when she makes comments about his aura. Will is not into New Age lingo so it throws him off a bit, but when Erica mentions she senses he has healing powers his interest is piqued.

Will starts dating Erica and gets sucked into her alternative healing path. When an encounter with healing a man just by being in the room Will takes Erica’s stance a bit more seriously. Will he discover his healing powers?

This novel was outside my usual story zone. I think Will’s character was interesting seeing how he goes from skeptic to being more open to the alternative healing path. Erica’s character I found a bit on the bossy side. I didn’t feel Will and Erica’s relationship felt believable. I think it seemed like Will was being bullied into getting into Erica’s line of work, of energy healing. I did like hearing the story from Will’s perspective. His character is relatable in how we process new belief’s about life and mysteries we can’t always explain.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Reluctant Healer by Andrew Himmel from Greenleaf Book Group Press through Smith Publicity. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. If you enjoy novels about spiritual discovery then you may enjoy this book.

Book Review · Books

Under My Skin

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Poppy’s life seems perfect: handsome husband, Jack, best friend, Layla and a thriving business in NY. Everything screeches to a halt when Jack is murdered one morning while jogging early in the morning. Poppy is sick with a cold so she stays home instead of going jogging with him like usual. She wonders who would want her husband dead?

Poppy wants to piece together the why of her husband’s untimely death. Who killed Jack and why? In her grief over his death there are days after his funeral that are missing for Poppy. Where was she? Who was she with? Layla, her husband, Mac and their security connections just want Poppy to let it be and allow the professionals to look into Jack’s death. The detective Mr. Grayson keeps trying to keep Poppy from doing her own investigation, but once Poppy is on a mission with her camera to find her husband’s killer she won’t be stopped.

This novel is fast paced, intense, a mental gymnastics that will have you guessing till the end. Lisa Unger is a master suspense story teller that brings to life her stories. I haven’t read a book by her in almost ten years, but I’m so glad I got asked to review this novel. It has renewed how much I enjoy her novels.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of Under My Skin by Lisa Unger care of TLC Book Tours from Park Row Books. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly mine. Connect with Lisa via her website and buy a copy.

Book Review · Books

Becoming Mrs. Lewis

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I haven’t read the whole Chronicles Of Narnia series. Yes, it’s a shame since it was one of the earliest series my mom would start to read to me as a little girl. As an adult I had heard bits and pieces about C.S. Lewis and his marriage, but until I read this stunning historical novel about his wife, Joy Davidman I had no idea all it entailed.

Becoming Mrs. Lewis sucked me into Joy’s 1950’s world of New York. She was married to Bill with two little boys. Her and her husband were both writers. Bill was an alcoholic and a cheater. Joy was miserable, but did her best to try and keep the peace at home.

One day Joy has a spiritual conversation of sorts. She decides to write to C.S. Lewis some of her spiritual, Christian questions. She had read one of this books and thought he may be able to provide her some insight. This brings to life a correspondence between them that gets intense. Bill starts to get concerned, but when Joy’s health goes down hill she is told she must get away to rest. Of course Joy decides to go to the UK, to C.S. Lewis, to finally meet the man, the myth, the legend. Will meeting her new friend be all she hopes it to be? Will Joy and C.S. Lewis’ friendship blossom, or will the reality of being in person dampen their connection?

This novel is the best love story I’ve read in a long time. I’m not into romance novels, but this one is sweetly written, magical, suspenseful and leaves you feeling stunned after the last page. If you are a fan of C.S. Lewis and want to read a historical novel that will keep you reading nonstop, and it’s over 400 pages, then I highly recommend this beautiful novel.

I received a complimentary copy of Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan care of TLC Book Tours from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are strictly my own. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this amazing book grab a copy from Amazon and check out more about the author, Patti Callahan. To get a sneak peak of the audio clips of chapters one and two: https://soundcloud.com/harperaudio_us/sets/becoming-mrs-lewis

Book Review · Books

(Extra) Ordinary (Women)

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If you need a book to inspire you to press on and not give up your dreams then I highly recommend the upcoming release: (Extra) Ordinary (Women) by Kristen Bartzokis. This slim volume showcases the stories of 10 ladies from different walks of life who overcame a variety of life challenges to become the successful women they are. Each women’s story is in depth and encouraging. I like that at the end of each chapter is a link to where you can help support causes that each lady supports.

This little book was a treat from page one. Each story held something I could relate to. Each chapter had tough parts to read. These women have been through life events that would cause the average woman to crumble, but they each soldiered on.

I received a complimentary ARC of (Extra) Ordinary (Women) by Kristen Bartzokis from KiCam Projects. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. If you enjoy reading about women who have overcame adversity then you’ll want to add this to your personal library.

Book Review · Books

The Stranger Game

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Rebecca and her boyfriend were attempting to take a break from each other when one day he goes missing. Ezra doesn’t give any inkling as to where he’s gone, or why. Rebecca gets concerned as the days turn into weeks. In the midst of trying to locate her ex boyfriend she meets a dashing man named Carey. How Rebecca meets Carey is a tricky situation. Carey was playing the stranger game and Rebecca is fooled at first.

The stranger game is where you follow a stranger without them discovering you following them. Pretty much stalking.

The game was starting to get more intense with local home break ins happening. Rebecca realizes this game is getting dangerous when she witnesses the game turning sinister. After this incident Carey disappears as well. Will she find Ezra? Why did Carey disappear all of a sudden? Is the stranger game all that it appears to be?

This book took quite awhile to get into. Honestly, it’s categorized as suspense, but I didn’t find it that suspenseful. If you are into low key suspense then I would recommend this book. This novel does a good job of discussing the topic of human nature and the turn it takes when we turn people watching into a game that can turn ugly.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Stranger Game by Peter Gadol from Hanover Square Press/HarperCollins through TLC Book Tours. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. To grab a copy off Amazon click here and to find out more about the author, Peter Gadol here’s his website.

Book Review · Books

Lifesaving For Beginners

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Death is not an easy topic to talk about. Reasons for someone passing are varied and the effects of it last a life time. Author, Anne Edelstein, takes us on her journey through dealing with the unexpected death of her mom, who she longed affection from, but who gave it sparingly. Anne’s memoir is dark, raw, contemplative and wistful. Her extended family has dealt with death by suicide and the effects of not knowing the why still haunt her as Anne is trying to come to terms with her mom’s passing.

This memoir touches on the topics of death, family, siblings, mental illness, cancer, marriage, religion, children and legacy. Mrs. Edelstein weaves in the topic of swimming and how her love of swimming at her family’s favorite pond in Maine during the summer helped her connect with her mom through her act of swimming.

I received a complimentary copy of Lifesaving For Beginners by Anne Edelstein from Red Hen Press through TLC Book Tours. Opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. If you enjoy memoirs that bring you out of your comfort zone then I highly recommend this short book. If interested click here for Amazon and here to check out Mrs. Edelstein’s website.