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Showing posts from December, 2015

Book Review: The Wish Thief

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The Wish Thief by C.D. Verhoff My rating: 4 of 5 stars Glory Alley is not a cool kid. She has a broken family, nerdy friends, and a curious spelunking hobby. When she finds a strange, perfect stone on a pedestal deep in the mountain near her home she knows it would be a perfect birthday gift for her mom, even though her mom died several years ago. But when she grabs it, the stone launches her into an interdimensional adventure she could have never dreamed of. Wish Thief is set in an alternate reality very similar to Earth, and is a very well done allegory. Targeting young adults but easily read by tweens on up, the book has beautiful imagery and displays teenage girl stubbornness rather accurately, if my memory serves. I do hope Mr. Verhoff turns this into a series as I would like to see how the story plays out. View all my reviews Please note, while there may be affiliate links or payment for reviews, all opinions are my own. You can't buy a good review from me, peopl

Book Review: Fire War

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Fire War by T.T. Michael My rating: 4 of 5 stars Anthony Jackson is determined to finish up his Marine tour for the NAU and get home for good. He has a wife and daughters to reconnect with and a life to build. His last assignment is to train some new snipers, and he is good at what he does. He doesn’t realize that his assignment will lead to a new world order with Canada, Mexico and the US joining forces, and turning into a country he barely recognizes. What will happen when the nation feels more like Orwell’s 1984 than the current date of 2076? Fire War imagines the US turning into a dictatorship, abandoning the principles of the current Constitution, due to extreme security measures adopted after major terrorist attacks. While set in the future it is not hard to imagine this outcome, particularly given current debates over similar issues. While at times it can feel a little preachy, Michael effectively outlines a scenario that is plausible, which is what makes it scary. I hope

Book Review: Once Saved Always Saved

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Once Saved, Always Saved: Satan's Greatest Trick by Stephen Pippin My rating: 4 of 5 stars If you prayed the prayer (preferably at an altar call while strains of Just As I Am or I Surrender All are harshly banged out on the organ) but later give in to the urge to smoke a doobie, are you really saved? Is your get into Heaven free card revoked? Can you really backslide but maintain your salvation? Pippin contends that there really is no such thing as a saved backslider, either you’re following Jesus and living as he commands or you’re going to hell. It’s a fascinating topic and one that stirs up heated debate. Mr. Pippin tells his own story of backslidden youth and how he came to understand the error of his ways and embraced true repentance, but he also cautions that had he not done so and died during that time he would not have gone to heaven, despite his fervent belief at the time that he was a Christian due to a childhood salvation experience. If you are looking to chall

Win a Book!

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I am giving away a copy of my dad's book, Are You Ready to Adopt? over on the Gift of Hope Adoptions Facebook page!    By entering not only will you get the chance to win this book, but you'll hopefully be helping some of our waiting adoptive families find their children! While likes and shares are not required for entry, they are encouraged as a charitable gesture ;) Hurry, contest ends Mon 12/21! Please note, while there may be affiliate links or payment for reviews, all opinions are my own. You can't buy a good review from me, people. I am way too mouthy for that.

Book Review: Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World

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I have 3 kids, and am always astonished when utter strangers tell me how polite they are. Now, don’t get me wrong, I think my kids are awesome - duh, I’m their mother. But kids are kids, and they are definitely still learning not to talk with their mouth full, not to shriek and push each other when one of them takes the toy that the other one didn’t want until the thief took it, and that mommy might completely lose it if they interrupt one more time during the one sentence I’m trying to get out. Yet I still hear, “My goodness what polite children you have!” What amazing super powers do I have, you ask? I taught my children to say thank you. Seriously, this is the common denominator behind every instance of my mom ego boosts. Admittedly, this doesn’t happen all the time, and sometimes it even happens immediately preceding one of them doing something to cause a rescinding of that statement. But every time I hear that it makes me wonder just how bad are all the other kids behave that th

Over 1k of Free Writer Resources!

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I love my ebook bundles, and this one is free! Specifically for authors, Goodwriter's introductory bundle features over $1,000 worth of writing resources for FREE! Seriously, you can't beat free. Starting today you can pick up an epic 10 day free bundle with over 50 items including ebooks, audio/video courses, and more by some of the top authors and writers in the industry. We’re talking Chandler Bolt, Sean Platt, Johnny B Truant, Joanna Penn, Bryan Cohen, Steve Windsor, Lise Cartwright, Carol Tice, Buck Flogging, and more! They’re also planning an epic kindle event in January with 15 great books on self-publishing and content creation — and it’s for Goodriter.com subscribers only! I know that’s a lot to take in, so let’s recap: Go to Goodriter.com and sign-up! Receive over 50 FREE products from the absolute best author/writers around — just for signing up. Enjoy awesome discounts in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Click HERE to subscribe to t

Book Review: The Law of Attraction Saved My Life & It Can Save Yours

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The Law of Attraction Saved My Life & It Can Save Yours by Kenneth Griffin Jr My rating: 3 of 5 stars Have you ever seen that Saturday Night Live sketch with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton? Ok there were a few, but this one had Tina Fey optimistically saying something to the effect of, “You just gotta want it!” Which sends Amy Poehler into maniacal laughter responding (again to the effect of), “Oh, ok, that must be my problem, I just didn’t want it enough!” If you haven’t go watch it on Hulu , it’s hilarious. And completely honest, because we all know that no one - man or woman - has ever wanted to be President more than Hillary Clinton. If there was ever anyone who would be able to think herself to the Presidency, it’s Hillary. That sums up my ultimate reaction to this book. I have a cursory understanding of the law of attraction, although I fully admit it has never been a primary course of study for me. What intrigued me was the author’s prom

Book Review: Taming Tigers

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Taming Tigers by Daisy White My rating: 4 of 5 stars Not all fairy tales are about finding the handsome prince. Sometimes he’s the ancillary character, and the real challenge is killing the evil king. But how is a poor seamstress to take on one of the most evil warlords in the region? Once again, Daisy White offers a strong female character rising above her circumstances to save the day. This one involves an actual physical journey in addition to a metaphoric one, and it is a harrowing journey full of ghosts, tigers and discoveries. I really enjoyed the love story being simultaneously central and peripheral, and the solution complicated. I’ve only just discovered Daisy White’s fiction but am thoroughly enjoying her grasp of complex situations and characters spun into a relatively short story. If you like engaging quick reads that leave far more to ponder than your typical YA fiction, I highly recommend anything by Daisy White. View all my reviews Please note, while there m

Book Review: Chains of Mist

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Chains of Mist by T.C. Metivier My rating: 4 of 5 stars Ortega is determined to fulfill his mission - kill Rokan Sellas. He made the mistake of thinking he was dead once before, but this time would be sure. Even though he has to track him to one of the most dangerous planets trailing only two of his best men, he will put a sword through Rokan Sellas. What he has not stopped to consider is whether or not that can actually kill him. Chains of Mist is the second in the Chalas Peruvas series, and it does not disappoint. There are familiar characters and new faces but the journey continues with lots of twists and turns. This is turning out to be a solid series full of intergalactic travel, magic, prophecy, camaraderie and family. The writing is on point and the characters are well developed without resorting to extreme plot devices or blocky narration. I’m really enjoying the story and looking forward to the revelations to come. View all my reviews Please note, while there may