Book Review and Give Away

I have just finished a really awesome book! I was surprised I enjoyed it so much as I am not usually a WWII reader but this one has everything to keep you turning those pages. It starts out with the author Andy Andrews finding some items buried in his yard and goes back and forth from the war period to now. There is mystery and love in the story that grabs you from the first page.A story about second chances. I found myself shocked about some of the things that happened in WWII right next to our own shorelines. There is a lesson on anger and forgiveness each of us can learn from reading this book. Once you read this book I don't think you will ever forget it, I know I won't.

This book was given to me by Book Sneeze to review. They also gave me a extra book to give away but since I have finished my copy I will be giving away 2 books to 2 lucky people. All you need to do if you want a chance to win is leave a comment. I will draw the lucky winners on Thursday, May 20th. You will be very happy with this book if you are the winners!

The Rose Conspiracy (book review)

I was asked to review Craig Parshall's book "The Rose Conspiracy". What a great book! History, religion, murder, mystery, courtroom drama, even a little romance, this book has it all. When I started reading it I wasn't sure because the story started with a newly discovered document about Abraham Lincoln's assassination and a strange message that was suppose to be written on one of the pages. But soon I realized this was a book that would be hard to put down until finished. Complete with faith and morals this book has it all and I give it 5 stars. If you get a chance I highly recommend "The Rose Conspiracy". Keep checking back as I will be offering my copy in a drawing.
Craig Parshall speaks worldwide on legal and Christian issues. He is a magazine columnist and has authored 7 legal-supense novels.

Stealing Lumby by Gail Fraser

I didn't think this book could be as good as the first and its not. Its even better! I absolutely love the little town of Lumby. Stealing Lumby still has the moose walking around town with strange things stuck in his antlers. The pink flamingo still appears around town dressed in appropriate attire for the occasion. Though there were no more goats in the bank vault there are Nubian's. One of the main characters in this book has a dairy goat farm with a mystery to solve. Why are her goats disappearing and why is the milk production down? Wait till you find out why. In the 1950's Lumby was famous for a brief time because a famous artist did a painting of one of their barns. Now the painting worth over a million dollars is stolen and Lumby is back in the limelight. When they get the artist to agree to come back and do another painting someone steals the barn! Every single board and stone is gone. The town won't let that stop them and have a plan. The author takes you right into the life of Lumby residents so well you feel you actually are a part of the town. From the first page its like you never left or missed anything from the first book. I know I recommend alot of books but the Lumby books by Ms. Fraser are my number one picks for fiction, mystery, fun, romance and enjoyable reading. There is a death in each book but even those are like a natural part of living in Lumby. I cried with the death in this book because I really liked this character but I also loved the way it came about and the outcome from the death. You really must read these books. There is a third book being released in January 2008. I am going to have a hard time waiting till then! Forget Harry Potter. Join me in the little town of Lumby! http://www.lumbybooks.com/home.php

The Lumby Lines

I was given the wonderful opportunity to review 2 of Gail Fraser's books. I just finished the first one and I am hooked! Of course having goats locked in the bank vault eating money grabbed my interest in the first few pages. The highlight of the newspaper "The Lumby Lines" is Hank the pink flamingo that is dressed in different outfits to match the occasion or event and placed around town by some unknown person. Ms. Fraser makes you forget you are reading and are actually in Lumby. You feel like a part of the town and from her descriptions you personally know each person. Throughout the story a moose is spotted with various things caught in his rack. Once its a tricycle and another time a lawn chair. This book will have you smiling in the first few words and laughing before you finish the first chapter. But along with the laughter is a heartfelt story of life in Lumby. I can't wait till tonight when I have a date with "Stealing Lumby". I hope to be able to interview Gail Fraser and post it here. Visit Gail and learn more about Lumby at:

http://www.lumbybooks.com/ and if you get the chance please read her books. You won't be disappointed!

Thank you so much Melissa Broder for sending the books and allowing me to review them.

Shoes for the Spirit

Shoes for the Spirit, by Tamra Nashman, L.M.,M.A. is a guide to your spiritual walk. I have devotional books that I read daily but this book was one I couldn't put down till finished! Ms. Nashman has broken her and others stories into chapters. Fear, Conscience, Stress, Jealousy, Courage, Depression, Love, Rejection, Forgiveness, Healing, and Relationship with God. Each chapter has short true life stories along with scripture verses. Shoes for the Spirit takes a Biblical approach in answering the issues we face. It offers guidance in a straight forward approach. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate this book a 10. Its a book that you can read over and over again. Whatever problem you might be facing you can pick this book up and read the story of someone that has already been there, done that. The story gives you food for thought on how to handle your own problem. These stories are taken from personal experiences and help us realize we are not alone in fighting our way through life. Though it is a book of encouragement it is written in a lighthearted manner that makes a great read.

Tamra Nashman is an educator with a Masters Degree in Music as well as a BA in Fine Arts. She is also a licensed minister. She is a sought after professional speaker, and has traveled extensively as a solo vocalist and pianist. She has been in Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, Showboat, Cats, Dream Girls, and Phantom of the Opera. She has worked as a model and television spokesperson. With all these accomplishments, she still considers her greatest achievement to be that of wife and mother. She is happily married with 2 children.

This book was given to me for review by the publisher through Stacy Harp of Active Christian Media.

The Journal of Jacob Bowman

The author, Ronald Bowman is the great, great, great, great, nephew of Jacob Bowman. The journal of Jacob Bowman was found in an old walnut washstand, a family heirloom, in 1979.
Mr. Bowman has done an excellent job in putting this book together from his uncle's journal. Being very interested in the simple hard way of life during the 1800's is the reason I wanted to review this book. Getting so wrapped up in Jacob Bowman's adventures was the reason I couldn't put it down!
After enduring a childhood nobody would trade a handful of hot coals for, Jacob Bowman sets out to explore the Rocky Mountains. Through numerous seasons and adventures, he confronts both the virtuous and depraved. Rescuing a young Ute girl forces Jacob into a confrontation with the Yampa tribe, and the forging of a legendary bond with these beautiful people. He barters for the freedom of a black man named John, then travels with him as a friend the excitement of the yearly rendezvous, Jacob becomes smitten with Sarah, one of the ladies delivered for mending and cooking a decent meal. Jacob wishes to return to St. Louis to marry Sarah and hopes John will travel with him. Now, all must venture into the unknown, testing friendships along their final destinations. (TAKEN FROM BOOK COVER)
The journal tells of the many hardships and adventures of Jacob Bowman. Of being traded at the age of 14 by his family for a few bags of goods after his blood brother Fast Water dies. Having to work pounding steel into springs while 2/3's of his wages went to his family. Having to bury his daughter and many many more exciting, funny and sad adventures of his life this is a must read. If the ending of this book doesn't touch your heart, nothing will! Rating this book on a scale of 1 to 5 I would give it 5. History, romance, adventure, Indians, and true stories being what this book is made of then it will appeal to just about everyone.

I have reviewed this book for Active Christian Media voluntarily and received nothing in exchange except a copy of the book.

He Talk Like a White Boy by Joseph C. Phillips

This book was given to me free of charge by Active Christian Media.

This review has taken me the longest to complete. It wasn't because the book wasn't good.... it is really good. I just found that each time I read a chapter I had to stop because I would be thinking what Mr. Phillips had written and deciding what my thoughts were on that topic. This book really gives you food for thought and is not a book you would speed read through. Most of the book is essays from his weekly column with various topics like: Family, Faith, Idealism and Identity. He writes about the African-Americans believing he is not one of them that he is trying to be white. Mr. Phillips gives a very honest view of how he is as black as they are and wants this attitude to end. This isn't a book just for a certain race. This is a book for any and everyone. A book to make you stop and think about your views on different things. I found that even though I am a white older female I agreed more than not with Mr. Phillips. The only thing negative that I can think of about this book is there wasn't much written in the faith section. Being promoted as a Christian book I would have like to have read more of his views on the subject. Its a good read and I recommend it highly.