The Deepening sea: Reagan and RJ in Space Mini-Adventure - Mr. Richard M. Collins

My Thoughts:

An author puts a lot of time and consideration in to their works of art known as books.  While some authors will complain about negative reviews, they have to realize, putting themselves out there with their books is like an actor releasing a new movie.  Not everyone is going to like it, you will have both positive and negative reviews.  I would hope they would expect honest reviews, not just something to build their ego or make them feel good about what they have produced.  More often than not, a reviewer is able to find something positive to say about it, even if they did not thoroughly enjoy it.  And let's be honest...what reviewer likes writing a negative review?  With that being said, the positive to this book is the spiritual aspect and the great alternative it could be for many kids. Note, I said "could be", not that it is.

The publishing aspects of this graphic novel leave a lot to be desired.  I work in a library, I've reviewed books for years, so I've seen it all.  The layout is poorly put together, and the "drawings" or pictures look like the beginning stages of a rough draft, and the pages appeared to have just been printed off of a home computer.  This is not an item we would be able to place in our library either, I'm afraid it would just not circulate well with the others it has to compete with.  In order for this graphic novel to be taken seriously, I think a complete overhaul would need to occur.  There are some projects that should just remain self-published for the enjoyment of one's own family, and this is one, sadly, is one of those items.

**I received this item from BookCrash in exchange for my honest review**

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe - Max Lucado

Book Description

What if you could ask God anything? What would you ask? And how would he answer?
Chelsea Chambers is on her own. After a public split from her NFL superstar husband, Chelsea takes a bold step out of the limelight and behind the counter of the Higher Grounds Café, an old-fashioned coffee shop in dire need of reinvention. But when her courage, expert planning, and out-of-this-world cupcakes fail to pay the bills, this newly single mom finds herself desperate for help. Better yet, a miracle.

Then a curious stranger lands at Chelsea's door, and with him, an even curiouser string of events. Soon, customers are flocking to the Higher Grounds Café, and not just for the cupcakes and cappuccino. They've come for the internet connection to the divine. Now the café has become the go-to place for people in search of answers to life's biggest questions.

When a catastrophe strikes and her ex comes calling, Chelsea begins to wonder if the whole universe is conspiring against her quest to make it on her own. After a shocking discovery opens her eyes to the unseen world around her, Chelsea finds the courage to ask, and heaven answers in a most unexpected way.

About the Author

More than 120 million readers have found comfort in the writings of Max Lucado. He ministers at the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and a sweet but misbehaving mutt, Andy.

My Thoughts...

I'm not going to lie, the title and cover are what drew me to this book.  Anything having to do with a cafe and/or coffee has my name written all over it!  My other admission?  My most familiarity with Max Lucado is in thanks to his "Hermie" DVD series for children.  I'm not sure I've ever read (or paid that much attention) to anything else of his, so his name on the book was not the draw for me either.

With that being said, this ended up being an okay read.  While it started out a little slow in the beginning, it picked up the pace along the way.  The writing is good, the story line is okay. Another thing it has going for it?  It's relatively a short read.  It's definitely something you can sit down in an evening or two and read from cover to cover!

We also have this book at the library where I work, and it has checked out several times in the short month we have had it.  Those that have read it seem to like it as well, which is always good to hear! It's a bummer to check something out, waste your time reading it, then regret you ever took it home. That's not the case here, so I give this book 3 stars!

**I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion**

Aquifer - Jonathan Friesen

• Publisher: Blink (August 6, 2013)

About the book:

Only He Can Bring What They Need to Survive. In the year 2250, water is scarce, and those who control it control everything. Sixteen-year-old Luca has struggled with this truth, and what it means, his entire life. As the son of the Deliverer, he will one day have to descend to the underground Aquifer each year and negotiate with the reportedly ratlike miners who harvest the world's fresh water. But he has learned the true control rests with the Council aboveground, a group that has people following without hesitation, and which has forbidden all emotion and art in the name of keeping the peace. And this Council has broken his father's spirit, while also forcing Luca to hide every feeling that rules his heart. But when Luca's father goes missing, everything shifts. Luca is forced underground, and discovers secrets, lies, and mysteries that cause him to reevaluate who he is and the world he serves. Together with his friends and a very alluring girl, Luca seeks to free his people and the Rats from the Council's control. But Luca's mission is not without struggle and loss, as his desire to uncover the truth could have greater consequences than he ever imagined.

My thoughts:

3 Stars

The dystopian genre seems to be all the rage, and this book follows right along with it!  While certain aspects may not be up to par (writing details/structure are somewhat lacking), if you're looking for a fast read in this genre, you'll want to make sure to take the time to check out this book!

Interested in purchasing the book?  Click here  to be directed to Amazon!

**I received this book from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review**

Afloat - Erin Healy

About Afloat from the publisher:

Who will you trust when dark waters rise?

Eagle's Talon is an architectural marvel-shining residential units afloat in a protected cove of the gorgeous Rondeau River. The project is nearly complete, partially occupied, and ready to make investors rich when a sinkhole gives way. Then torrential rains and a flood leave a ragged collection of builders, investors, and residents stranded in one floating building, cut off from the rest of the world.

They're bitterly divided over what to do next.

Architect Vance Nolan insists they should sit tight and wait for rescue. Developer Tony Dean wants to strike out into the darkness. And single mom Danielle Clement, desperate to protect her young son, Simeon, struggles to hold their motley band together.

Power failure, a pall of unnatural daytime darkness, explosions in the distance, then a murder ratchet tensions to a boiling point. But Danielle's young son, Simeon, has spotted something strange underwater-beautiful, shifting lights in the dark water below.

In this watery world where everyone's secrets will eventually come to light, salvation may mean more than just getting out alive.

Another stunning exploration of the human spirit and supernatural possibilities from best-selling author Erin Healy.

My thoughts...

The beginning of the book had a slow start for me, and it seemed to jump all over the place.  At times it was a bit confusing, trying to keep up with which character that section was about, and what exactly was going on.

But true to Healy form, the story definitely picked up the pace and started to take off.  Healy eventually had good character development, and vivid imagery throughout the chapters.  I soon found myself curiously awaiting to find out what was happening with Danielle and her son, and which character she would form a relationship with.

While this was not my favorite of Healy's, it ended up being one of my top 2.  I give this book 3 stars, which earns it an "Above Average" rating.

About the author...

Erin Healy is the best-selling co-author of "Burn" and "Kiss" (with Ted Dekker) and an award-winning editor for numerous best-selling authors. She has received wide acclaim for her novels "Never Let You Go", "The Baker's Wife", "House of Mercy", and "Afloat". She and her family live in Colorado. Erin can be contacted through her website ErinHealy.com or through Facebook at erinhealybooks.



Purchase a copy here!

Book Trailer...


**I received this book in exchange for my honest review**

Skip Rock Shallows - Jan Watson

About the book...

Lilly Gray Corbett has just graduated from medical school and decided to accept an internship in the coal camp of Skip Rock, Kentucky.  Her beau, Paul, is doing his residency in Boston and can't understand why Lilly would choose to work in a backwater town.  But having grown up in the mountains, Lilly is drawn to the stubborn, superstitious people she encounters in Skip Rock -- a town where people live hard and die harder and where women know their place.  Lilly soon learns she has a lot to overcome, but after saving the life of a young miner, she begins to earn the residents' trust.

Torn between joining Paul in Boston and her love for the people of Skip Rock, Lilly crosses paths with a handsome miner -- one who seems oddly familiar.  Her attraction for him grows even as she wrestles with her feelings and wonders what he's hiding.

My thoughts...

While the back of the book grabbed my attention, I have to admit, the interest stopped there.  Though Jan Watson is a talented writer, this book ended up not being for me.

The story starts out fully engaged, with some references to Troublesome Creek.  While this book seems to be a stand-alone novel, maybe having read the previous mentioned would have been helpful.  At times I seemed to be missing out on some of the back story, not quite understanding what they were referring to.  I decided to keep reading, to see where the story would take me.

Where did it go?  Not far.  Even half-way through the book, I was still waiting for the tempo to pick up, it had to start gaining speed soon, or so I thought!  I was anxiously awaiting for the romance interest to start between Lilly and the handsome miner, Tern/Joe. 

While there were some parts that intrigued my interest, I was mostly left skimming the pages, waiting for something, anything, to grab my attention.

If you're looking for something to read, while you're waiting for the next, great release to come out, then this may be for you.  If you're hoping this is the next great release...I wouldn't hold my breath.

I give this book 3 stars, and suggest looking elsewhere!

**I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.**

Wildflowers from Winter - Katie Ganshert

 

Like the winter, grief has a season. 

 Life returns with the spring. 

A young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built the life she dreamed of during her trailer-park teen years.  An unexpected call from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa.  

Determined to pay her respects to her past while avoiding any emotional entanglements, she vows not to stay long.  The unexpected inheritance of five hundred acres of farmland and a startling turn of events in Chicago forces Bethany to come up with a new plan.  

Handsome farmhand Evan Price has taken care of the Quinn farm for years.  When Bethany is left the land, Evan must fight her decisions to realize his own dreams.  But even as he disagrees with Bethany's vision, Evan feels drawn to her and the pain she keeps so carefully locked away.

For Bethany, making peace with her past and the God of her childhood doesn't seem like the path to freedom.  Is letting go the only way to new life, love, and a peace that she's not even sure exists?

My thoughts...

While this book was a slow start for me, once I was fully engaged in the storyline, I could not put it down.  Not even on our family vacation, up North at a cabin, with friends.  I eagerly awaited the times I could slip away and read a few chapters after the kids were put to bed.   Never mind the other adults were waiting for me so we could begin our nightly tournament of games!

The character of Bethany was a mystery to me in the beginning, I wasn't sure what to expect from her, were her loyalties laid, and what her future would hold.  I think her story really started taking shape once she moved back to the farm, met Evan, and started to get back in touch with her childhood roots!

I give this book 3 stars, if your able to get past the first few chapters, you just might end up enjoying the story!

 **I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group and was not required to post a positive review.**

Cherished - Kim Cash Tate

This true life story and song is what got to me more than the book did.  I knew nothing of this story before reading the book, and after doing an internet search, came across this interview.  This 8 minute clip is definately worth viewing, even if you don't read the book!

This book was a slower read for me, especially in the beginning.  Over the course of a month or longer, I finally made my way through, and ended up being happy with the ending.

I did enjoy the story of Kelli, her love of songwriting, and using that gift to work through some things in her past.  I wasn't sure where her relationship with Brian was headed, and there were many bumps along the way.  At times it seemed that Brian and Kelly would only reconnect through their family and friends, but the Lord had other things in mind for them.

The other storyline that got my attention, was that of Heather.  Heather always seemed to be making bad choices, from a one-night stand with a Christian musician, to an affair with a married man.  Just as she comes to the end of her rope, God is their to catch her, if only she will let Him.


**I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.**

The One-Day Way

The One-Day Way by Chantel Hobbs is full of information...just not exactly what I was looking for in the first few chapters. I guess when I read a "self help" book, I want to dive right in to the "nitty gritty" and get the problem fixed!

Hobbs starts out her book by giving us some background on herself, and her 200 pound overweight issue she dealt with many years ago. She then goes on to outline what she will be covering in the chapters to follow; the eating plan and the exercise regimen.

There are several points she makes that I like, for instance, the premise behind the book is to take one day at a time. Don't dwell on your past failures, or successes for that matter, and don't look to the future. Just live in the moment, and make celebrations for those achievements. Celebrate that today, you didn't eat any chips/cookies/etc. Celebrate today, that you finally exercised. Don't get caught up in the so many day streak you are on, just concentrate on today.

I recommend this book and give it 3 stars. I mean really, who couldn't benefit from reading another book on healthy living? You can always gleam something new you might use or pass on to someone else!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group and was not required to post a positive review.