Thomas was raised hearing about the "Immortals," and knowing his destiny was intertwined with the destiny of these mysterious people. Yet he has no idea who the "Immortals" really are. All he knows is that he must set forth on a journey to accomplish the one task that is set clearly in front of him, and to conquer all that seems unable to be conquered in the process. Along the way he meets several very interesting and mysterious characters in their own right; a knight, a pickpocket and an attractive young woman. Will Thomas fulfill his destiny or die in trying?
This book is the first in the series Merlin's Immortals by Sigmund Brouwer. The second book is slated to be available early 2013. I would highly recommend this book both to teenagers (recommended for ages 12 and up) and adults. The plot is well thought out and the characters are engaging and do not seem trite. I give The Orphan King a 4 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to WaterBrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program for giving me a free copy of this book in order to obtain my review. Please note that all opinions expressed in my review are honest and are my own. If you care to take just a moment and rate any of my reviews on the Blogging for Books site including this one, please visit Blogging for Books and search for me under the title of this book on the right hand side of the main page. Thanks!
Showing posts with label blogging for books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging for books. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Indelible by Kristen Heitzmann: It is True to Name!
"'I'm just the weird one who remembers what I see. Especially faces.' 'Why faces?' 'In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, 'A man finds room in the few square inches of the face for the traits of all his ancestors; for the expression of all his history, and his wants.'" (Indelible) This is what Natalie, the intriguing woman who crosses paths with the equally intriguing Trevor, faces every day. To many, this unique eidetic memory she possesses is an intimidating and awful gift. To Natalie, it poses a handicap. Till she meets Trevor.
Trevor is haunted with his own ghosts, past and present. When he begins facing these ghosts he never tried to summon forth, his world -- and Natalie's along with him -- comes crashing in. Will they both be able to face their own demons to see themselves and each other through to the other side, more whole than they were at the start? You will be surprised at how this book ends!
This book was, to borrow a cliche, a page-turner for me! It had just the right amount of suspense, mystery, spine-chilling elements without being totally "spooky." It also incorporated real faith - the kind that has questions and asks them - in a straightforward, yet quiet and non-preachy way. The characters were solid and believable, really drawing me in. The plot line was excellent. The setting was beautiful. The artistic and outdoorsy/sports elements discussed gave the impression the author really knew what she was writing about. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, man or woman, for a great, thrilling, satisfying read.
****If you would care to rate my review (it's super easy, you just follow the link and give my review however many stars you think it merits! That's it!), please do so by clicking here. I appreciate an honest rating of my reviews, how well you think they are written, the content, the interest level, etc! :)
Please note: I was provided a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah publishing (Blogging for Books) in order to write a review. All opinions expressed are honest and are my own.
Trevor is haunted with his own ghosts, past and present. When he begins facing these ghosts he never tried to summon forth, his world -- and Natalie's along with him -- comes crashing in. Will they both be able to face their own demons to see themselves and each other through to the other side, more whole than they were at the start? You will be surprised at how this book ends!
This book was, to borrow a cliche, a page-turner for me! It had just the right amount of suspense, mystery, spine-chilling elements without being totally "spooky." It also incorporated real faith - the kind that has questions and asks them - in a straightforward, yet quiet and non-preachy way. The characters were solid and believable, really drawing me in. The plot line was excellent. The setting was beautiful. The artistic and outdoorsy/sports elements discussed gave the impression the author really knew what she was writing about. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, man or woman, for a great, thrilling, satisfying read.
****If you would care to rate my review (it's super easy, you just follow the link and give my review however many stars you think it merits! That's it!), please do so by clicking here. I appreciate an honest rating of my reviews, how well you think they are written, the content, the interest level, etc! :)
Please note: I was provided a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah publishing (Blogging for Books) in order to write a review. All opinions expressed are honest and are my own.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Books and Summer Go Together Like Hand and Glove
Hello Friends!
Let me start by saying how very much I have missed you all in the blog-o-sphere over the past week and then some! It seems as if I just haven't had the time to make any blog posts of my own. Which I will tell you, does bug me. I have had the chance to stop in, albeit briefly, at a couple of the blogs I follow. Literally a couple. And literally only a couple posts on those couple blogs. So . . . is there such a thing as "blog deprivation"? Because I think I've suffered from the same for the past 10 days at least! haha
Though I haven't had much time outside of my full time summer job and all the other things I have to try to get around to that are just a part of life and keeping a house, etc. I have had a bit of time to read over my lunch breaks at work. You might notice I posted a review on one short book I recently finished, "A Place Called Blessing." Well, I also recently finished. . . . *drumroll* "Mockingjay"! Yes, I have officially completed the riveting Hunger Games trilogy! I think I actually finished the aforementioned novel days ago, maybe almost a week, just haven't had the time to write about it. But it was excellent! Took me a little longer to get into it than books 1 and 2, but by longer I mean nothing more than the first chapter or so. And I loved the book! It was engaging and my, how the plot thickened and took some unexpected turns and the ending was awesome but also might find a few of you who choose to read the trilogy at a loss for words! I don't know. Depends on how good you are at guesstimating how a novel with so many twists and turns and such raw emotion and courageous rebellion might turn out in the end! haha Have I piqued your interest, yet? I would be running to the local bookstore or library now if it were me reading this short and compelling review! ;-)
Other than some reading, like I said, I have been busy working outside the home. Also working on some things to help me with home organization and homemaking skills. Yes, yes, I am a work in progress. I am pretty certain I shall always be a work in progress, and not the least where homemaking is concerned! My husband and I are working on a chore chart this very weekend. Visual aides can be a major . . . well, aide! Somehow having a "list" or chart for household duties makes sense. We are going to attempt it. Hardcore here people. Chore chart experience 101!
So, here are my questions for you all today: what have you experimented with in homemaking, housekeeping, organization, etc. that was really a "flop" for you? And what have you tested that was a success? I love to hear other people's ideas because it helps me to re-evaluate and improve my own! And as you probably all know, the person next to you may not think of organization in the same light and their way of keeping up with life and all the messes it throws into our path could be entirely oppositional to your own, yet work just as well! Please, dish it out! I love comments from you all! And have an amazing week!
Let me start by saying how very much I have missed you all in the blog-o-sphere over the past week and then some! It seems as if I just haven't had the time to make any blog posts of my own. Which I will tell you, does bug me. I have had the chance to stop in, albeit briefly, at a couple of the blogs I follow. Literally a couple. And literally only a couple posts on those couple blogs. So . . . is there such a thing as "blog deprivation"? Because I think I've suffered from the same for the past 10 days at least! haha
Though I haven't had much time outside of my full time summer job and all the other things I have to try to get around to that are just a part of life and keeping a house, etc. I have had a bit of time to read over my lunch breaks at work. You might notice I posted a review on one short book I recently finished, "A Place Called Blessing." Well, I also recently finished. . . . *drumroll* "Mockingjay"! Yes, I have officially completed the riveting Hunger Games trilogy! I think I actually finished the aforementioned novel days ago, maybe almost a week, just haven't had the time to write about it. But it was excellent! Took me a little longer to get into it than books 1 and 2, but by longer I mean nothing more than the first chapter or so. And I loved the book! It was engaging and my, how the plot thickened and took some unexpected turns and the ending was awesome but also might find a few of you who choose to read the trilogy at a loss for words! I don't know. Depends on how good you are at guesstimating how a novel with so many twists and turns and such raw emotion and courageous rebellion might turn out in the end! haha Have I piqued your interest, yet? I would be running to the local bookstore or library now if it were me reading this short and compelling review! ;-)
Other than some reading, like I said, I have been busy working outside the home. Also working on some things to help me with home organization and homemaking skills. Yes, yes, I am a work in progress. I am pretty certain I shall always be a work in progress, and not the least where homemaking is concerned! My husband and I are working on a chore chart this very weekend. Visual aides can be a major . . . well, aide! Somehow having a "list" or chart for household duties makes sense. We are going to attempt it. Hardcore here people. Chore chart experience 101!
So, here are my questions for you all today: what have you experimented with in homemaking, housekeeping, organization, etc. that was really a "flop" for you? And what have you tested that was a success? I love to hear other people's ideas because it helps me to re-evaluate and improve my own! And as you probably all know, the person next to you may not think of organization in the same light and their way of keeping up with life and all the messes it throws into our path could be entirely oppositional to your own, yet work just as well! Please, dish it out! I love comments from you all! And have an amazing week!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Don't Settle for a Life of Cheese and Crackers!
My most recent book review -- please read as this is something I'd love for more Christians to be aware of!
"Every day I encounter Christians . . . They live without the blessing and provision available to them as born-again children of God on the journey of life. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit as a wonderful gift--a gift better than having Jesus Himself with us . . .The Holy Spirit came with all the other amazing blessings of salvation. But some believers never receive and unwrap the gift. Instead, they live lives of cheese and crackers Christianity. They muddle through this world powerless and deprived of the richness of God's presence . . . " (ppg. 194-195, "The God I Never Knew")
In his book, "The God I Never Knew: How Real Friendship with the Holy Spirit Can Change Your Life," Robert Morris offers candid, heartfelt examples from his own life and from the lives of others as he tells us that there is often something missing in the lives and hearts of Christians around the world: the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is an often misunderstood and understated person of the Trinity, and in this book Morris helps dispel many common myths and incorrect assumptions regarding Who this person is, What He can and will do in the lives of those who welcome Him, When His role in Christianity came to the forefront, and Where He is supposed to reside when a person is born again and after they are born again. Morris backs all of his writing with scriptural truth to prove this book is biblically sound. He illustrates there are in reality three baptisms, not just two as is commonly believed (this is also backed up and shown in scripture). He heavily emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is to be our Friend . . . and as Morris begins to unravel the tapestry of ill conceived beliefs about the Holy Spirit, he weaves another displaying the beauty and wonder of choosing to make the Holy Spirit a very real, very active best Friend in your life, as well as Comforter, Guide, and more!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever had any questions about the Holy Spirit. It is an amazingly straightforward book, easy to digest even as it is profound and full of truths. Morris makes it easy to see how much every Christian should desire more of the Holy Spirit to enable them to be all the stronger, even while he is far from condemning anyone who has ever experienced doubt, discouragement, incredulity, or resistance. This is a must-read!
Please Note: I received an advance reading copy of this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers for the purpose of review. All opinions and reviews expressed above are honest and entirely my own.
"Every day I encounter Christians . . . They live without the blessing and provision available to them as born-again children of God on the journey of life. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit as a wonderful gift--a gift better than having Jesus Himself with us . . .The Holy Spirit came with all the other amazing blessings of salvation. But some believers never receive and unwrap the gift. Instead, they live lives of cheese and crackers Christianity. They muddle through this world powerless and deprived of the richness of God's presence . . . " (ppg. 194-195, "The God I Never Knew")
In his book, "The God I Never Knew: How Real Friendship with the Holy Spirit Can Change Your Life," Robert Morris offers candid, heartfelt examples from his own life and from the lives of others as he tells us that there is often something missing in the lives and hearts of Christians around the world: the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is an often misunderstood and understated person of the Trinity, and in this book Morris helps dispel many common myths and incorrect assumptions regarding Who this person is, What He can and will do in the lives of those who welcome Him, When His role in Christianity came to the forefront, and Where He is supposed to reside when a person is born again and after they are born again. Morris backs all of his writing with scriptural truth to prove this book is biblically sound. He illustrates there are in reality three baptisms, not just two as is commonly believed (this is also backed up and shown in scripture). He heavily emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is to be our Friend . . . and as Morris begins to unravel the tapestry of ill conceived beliefs about the Holy Spirit, he weaves another displaying the beauty and wonder of choosing to make the Holy Spirit a very real, very active best Friend in your life, as well as Comforter, Guide, and more!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever had any questions about the Holy Spirit. It is an amazingly straightforward book, easy to digest even as it is profound and full of truths. Morris makes it easy to see how much every Christian should desire more of the Holy Spirit to enable them to be all the stronger, even while he is far from condemning anyone who has ever experienced doubt, discouragement, incredulity, or resistance. This is a must-read!
Please Note: I received an advance reading copy of this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers for the purpose of review. All opinions and reviews expressed above are honest and entirely my own.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
My First Book Review for Blogging for Books!
Do you recall how I mentioned that soon I'd be posting some book reviews through a neat program called Blogging for Books? Well, here is my first review! I highly recommend this book. It's not only touching and inspirational, it is a REAL to life, contemporary story, presenting a radical way to approach many confusing aspects of any relationship, and definitely an effective way to reach out to those lost in homosexuality! I gave this book a 4-star.
*Please note that I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. My opinions are entirely my own.
My Review for "Out of a Far Country" by Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan:
"I shifted in my seat. I'm almost always in the right. So isn't that a good thing? Doing right, being right?"
So says Angela Yuan, at one point in this book when she faces the tyrannical side of herself that she must overcome with a power greater than her own -- the power of God and His redeeming love. She is a woman living in a marriage suffering from callous disinterest and deafening silence. She is a mother who did all she knew to raise her two sons to be successful and happy . . . in her eyes. But she finds out all too painfully that even best laid plans and the strongest intentions are not enough to see dreams come to fulfillment, or to fill a void that only One can fill, in her heart or in the heart of her son, Christopher Yuan. She thinks she's been right almost always all her life, till her world suddenly is turned upside down by the unconditional love and convicting truth of Jesus Christ.
This true story is about Angela, and about her son, Christopher, who constantly struggles with homosexuality and the bondage associated with it, even as he puts up a proud, unapologetic front. His lifestyle seems to be "all that" until one day, everything changes. This story shows the power of the earnest prayers of a righteous man (woman), the surprising power of forgiveness, the healing balm of grace. Beautiful story, filled with hope. There were so many thoughts, so many passages I found pertinent and applicable even to other areas of life, obstacles I have faced and am facing in relationships! It offers a radical way to effectively reach out to those lost in the maze of homosexuality. There is hope for the lost, even for those lost in homosexuality or in the chains of a lifeless, godless marriage!
*Please note that I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. My opinions are entirely my own.
My Review for "Out of a Far Country" by Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan:
"I shifted in my seat. I'm almost always in the right. So isn't that a good thing? Doing right, being right?"
So says Angela Yuan, at one point in this book when she faces the tyrannical side of herself that she must overcome with a power greater than her own -- the power of God and His redeeming love. She is a woman living in a marriage suffering from callous disinterest and deafening silence. She is a mother who did all she knew to raise her two sons to be successful and happy . . . in her eyes. But she finds out all too painfully that even best laid plans and the strongest intentions are not enough to see dreams come to fulfillment, or to fill a void that only One can fill, in her heart or in the heart of her son, Christopher Yuan. She thinks she's been right almost always all her life, till her world suddenly is turned upside down by the unconditional love and convicting truth of Jesus Christ.
This true story is about Angela, and about her son, Christopher, who constantly struggles with homosexuality and the bondage associated with it, even as he puts up a proud, unapologetic front. His lifestyle seems to be "all that" until one day, everything changes. This story shows the power of the earnest prayers of a righteous man (woman), the surprising power of forgiveness, the healing balm of grace. Beautiful story, filled with hope. There were so many thoughts, so many passages I found pertinent and applicable even to other areas of life, obstacles I have faced and am facing in relationships! It offers a radical way to effectively reach out to those lost in the maze of homosexuality. There is hope for the lost, even for those lost in homosexuality or in the chains of a lifeless, godless marriage!
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