Mustard Seed Book Reviews

Lavish Bookshelf

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:38:00 +0000

Have you visited my new site?

Please join me at my new blog titled Lavish Bookshelf.

We have been discussing books and more!
See you there!

It's moving day. Please come with me.

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 17:15:00 +0000

When I started blogging last year, I knew absolutely nothing. At the time it seemed like a good idea to have two different blogs, Mustard Seed Homeschool Reviews and Mustard Seed Book Reviews.

In the past few months I have really been working diligently at downsizing my life. I have had garage sales to sell my clutter and donated the rest. I will never be a minimalist because I'm so stinking sentimental, but I must admit this new lifestyle of "less" is working for me.

So now it's time to deal with the issue of two blogs. It seems that is one blog too many.

Please join me at my new blog titled I read. Do you?

Subscribe now to I read Do You

You will find all of my old blog postings there. I'm still planing on reading books and homeschooling items for reviews. Nothing really has changed.

Just a new Internet address.
And one less blog in my new downsized life.

Thank you so much! See you at I read. Do you? really soon!

Review: How Huge the Night by Heather Munn and Lydia Munn

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:06:00 +0000

Book Summary (from Amazon): Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens.

Nina Krenkel left her country to obey her father's dying command: Take your brother and leave Austria. Burn your papers. Tell no one you are Jews. Alone and on the run, she arrives in Tanieux, France, dangerously ill and in despair. Thrown together by the chaos of war, Julien begins to feel the terrible weight of the looming conflict and Nina fights to survive. As France falls to the Nazis, Julien struggles with doing what is right, even if it is not enough-and wonders whether or not he really can save Nina from almost certain death.

Based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon-the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust-How Huge the Night is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens turning the pages as it teaches them about a fascinating period of history and inspires them to think more deeply about their everyday choices.

Pages: 304

Year originally published: 2011

You might want to know: Don't take my word for it! Visit Kregel Publications for blog tour info and more reviews.

My source: I received this book complimentary from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review, but the opinion is all mine.

On Amazon: How Huge the Night by Heather Munn and Lydia Munn

My thoughts: How Huge the Night is an compelling and important book. The main character is a teenager named Julien, but in some ways the main character was the war. The politics and horrors of World War II shape the lives of all who come to live in the small French village of Tanieux. Through the eyes of Julien, readers learn about true events when a tiny group of people worked together to protect numerous Jewish refuges over the course of the war.

Each year school kids study World War II, learning important facts about the Maginot line, the occupation of Paris and the atrocities committed in hate. It's time to put away those boring text books and make the learning real. This book would be a wonderful resource for the study of World War II.

It's not a book that is easy to read, with topics such as Nazi occupation and war. This book is precisely what brings history to life. Teens will relate to characters their own age, hopefully opening up conversations about the horrors of prejudice and violence against others.

Book excerpt (Chapter 23):

Thursday the power came back on. They sat in the living room, around the radio that crackled with static; they looked at each other, and then away. The room grew quiet as the announcer began to speak.“Since Mussolini’s declaration of war on France two days ago, Italian troops are pushing west—”

Mama was on her feet. “The thief!” she hissed. “The backstabber, the coward!” Her face was red. Everyone was staring. She sat down.

Papa looked at her. “Saw his chance, I guess.”

“He’s a shame to his nation,” Mama snapped. Julien stared. Then they heard the shift in the announcer’s voice and turned sharply to the radio.

“German troops are approaching Paris at a rapid pace. As we speak, the vanguard is reported to be fifteen kilometers from Versailles. This will be our last broadcast for a while.”

They did not look at each other. The silence was total.

“Today Paris has been declared an ‘open city.’ Our military will not defend it. This decision was made to avoid bombardment and the great destruction and loss of life that it entails. . . .”

Julien realized he had not been breathing. It was an amazing thing, breathing. Tears shone in Mama’s eyes.

“They won’t bomb Paris,” said Papa quietly.

“They won’t bomb Paris,” Mama whispered.

Benjamin stood, his face very still. He walked slowly to the door and took the stairs.

Julien waited, breathing, seeing Paris; seeing Vincent and his mother look up out of their second-floor window at a clear blue sky. He waited until the news ended, until they had read a psalm that said The Lord has delivered.

Then he followed Benjamin.

Benjamin’s door was closed. Julien hesitated, biting his lip, and went into his own room.

He looked out the window in the fading light. They wouldn’t defend it. This was it, then. What Pastor Alex said was true. German tanks would roll down the Champs-Elysées for real in just a couple days. Then the boches would come here. And they would stay.

He pulled Vincent’s last letter out from under his nightstand. I can’t believe you almost died, it said. That’s crazy. He got up, and went and knocked on Benjamin’s door.

No answer.

“Benjamin? You all right?”

“Fine.”

Julien opened the door. Benjamin turned quickly, scowling.

“Did I say you could come in?”

“Well sorry,” Julien growled. How am I supposed to help when he’s like this? “Just wanted to say good night.”

“Good night then.”

“Look, it’s not as bad as it could have been, okay? They could have bombed the place to shreds like Ro—” He bit his tongue.

“You’re right,” said Benjamin, looking away. “That’s good for your relatives. I’m glad.”

“And your parents!”

“Nothing’s good for my parents.” His voice was toneless. “Look, Julien, we can talk about this in the morning. I need to go to bed.”

Julien knew when to quit. He turned away. “Sleep well.”

“You too.”

But he couldn’t. He turned and turned in his bed, twisting the sheets.

He got up and looked out at the crescent moon and the stars high over Tanieux, so white, so far, always the same; they would still be there when the Germans were here; they would still be there all his life. They were still there over Rotterdam, too. It didn’t make any difference.

When he finally slept, he dreamed: Paris on the fourteenth of July, the fireworks, bursts of blue, of gold, of red above the city. A whirling rocket going up with a hiss and a bang. Then a louder bang. Then a bang that threw up a great shower of dirt and stones, and people screaming, people running as the shells began to fall—

He woke, and lay shivering. He got up to close the window. The stars shone down like cold eyes.

He heard a faint scratching. Mice maybe. A floorboard creaked. He listened.

And he heard it. Very slow, stealthy footsteps going down the stairs.

He sat up slowly. Magali or Benjamin. Tiptoeing down the stairs to the kitchen, wishing there was something to eat. . . . He got out of bed and leaned out the window, watching for the faint light that would come through from the kitchen. No light came.

But on the ground floor, the heavy front door opened, and a dark shape slipped out into the street. A shadow with a suitcase in its hand.

He ran across the hall and threw open Benjamin’s door. A neatly made bed, a letter on the pillow. He grabbed it, ran back to his room, jerked his pants on over his pajamas, and ran downstairs in his socks. He’d catch him. Benjamin was on foot. He had to catch him. He scrawled on the flip side of the note, I’ve gone after him, pulled on his shoes and jacket, and flew down the stairs and into the dark.

He raced down the shadowed street and stopped at the corner, heart pounding, looking both ways. North, over the hill: the road to St. Etienne. A train to Paris, like he’d said? There were no trains now. Or south—south to where? Oh Lord if I choose wrong I’ll never find him.

Think. What would he do if it were him? He’d go south—north was suicide, but—he didn’t know, he didn’t know Benjamin. Who did? Nothing is good for my parents, he’d said—he didn’t seem to even care that Paris wouldn’t be bombed—

Because his parents weren’t in Paris.

Julien turned, suddenly sure, and ran.

The Kellers had left Germany because of Hitler and his people. Would they stay in Paris and wait for them? “Let’s walk south,” Benjamin had said—and that stupid map—he should have guessed.

He ran, breathing hard, his eyes on the dark road ahead. Oh God. Oh Jesus. Don’t let me miss him please—please—

He broke free of the houses; the Tanne gleamed in front of him under the splintered moon, cut by the dark curve of the bridge. He froze. He ducked into the shadows and breathed.

There on the bridge was a slender figure leaning on the parapet, looking down at the dark water.

Oh God. Oh Jesus. Now what?

Benjamin turned and took a long, last look at Tanieux. Then he adjusted his backpack, picked up his suitcase, and walked away.

Julien slipped out of the shadows and up to the bridge, his heart beating help me Jesus help me, his mind searching for words. Come home. And if he said no? Drag him? Help me Jesus. He was across the bridge, ten paces behind Benjamin; he broke into a silent run on the grassy verge of the road. He caught up to him. Laid a hand on his arm.

“Benjamin.”

Benjamin whirled, eyes wild in the moonlight. They stared at each other. “Why.” said Julien. “Tell me why.” His voice was harder than he meant it to be.

“Let me go.”

“No.” He tightened his grip on Benjamin’s arm.

Benjamin tried to pull away. “Julien, let me go. You have no idea. You have no idea what they’re like.”

“The boches?” This time his voice came out small.

“The Nazis, Julien. Ever heard of them? Yeah, you heard they don’t like Jews—I don’t think any of you people understand.” The sweep of his arm took in the school and the sleeping town. “Your parents are great, Julien—offering shelter and all—they really are. But they don’t know. Yet.”

But they do. They know. “Know what? What’ll they—do?”

“I’m not waiting around to find out.” His face was white and deadly serious. “Trust me on this, Julien. They are coming here and when they do, it’s better for you if I’m long gone.” I believe it is very dangerous to be a Jew in Germany. And soon—

Julien stood silent. The night wind touched his face; the hills were shadows on the horizon where they blotted out the stars. Suddenly he felt how large the world was, how huge the night, how small they stood on the road in the light of the waning moon. Ahead, the road bent into the pine woods, and in his mind, Julien saw Benjamin walking away, a small form carrying a suitcase into the darkness under the trees. His fingers bit into Benjamin’s arm.

“I don’t care,” he said savagely. “Where would you go?”

Benjamin said nothing; the moonlight quivered in his eyes as they filled with tears. He turned his head away. “I don’t know.” His voice shook.

Julien caught him by the shoulders, gripped him hard. “Well I do,” he said fiercely. “You’re coming home.”

Review: The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 01:28:00 +0000

This blog post could also be titled:

I was in Paris exactly a year ago today and I wish I was there right now.

Instead, I read this great book...

I didn't go into this shop but couldn't resist taking a picture of Eiffel Tower baguettes?!
I'm no foodie, but that didn't seem to be very authentic..

Book Summary (from David Lebovitz's blog): Like so many others, David dreamed about living in Paris ever since he first visited the city in the 1980s. Finally, after a nearly two-decade career as a pastry chef and cookbook author, he moved to Paris to start a new life. Having crammed all his worldly belongings into three suitcases, he arrived, hopes high, at his new apartment in Paris. But he soon discovered it’s a different world en France. From learning the ironclad rules of social conduct to the mysteries of men’s footwear, from shopkeepers who work so hard not to sell you anything, to the etiquette of working the right way around the cheese plate, here is David’s story of how he came to fall in love with—and even understand—this glorious, yet quirky city. The Sweet Life in Paris was a finalist in the Best Literary Writing category, in the 2010 Cuisinart/International Association of Culinary Professionals awards.

Pages: 269
Year originally published: 2009
You might want to know: You can learn more about David Lebovitz's Paris by following his blog at http://www.davidlebovitz.com/
My source: The library
On Amazon: The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz

My thoughts: This book really is a great mix of Paris insider hints and recipes of that wonderful French cuisine. Bridging the sometimes perplexing gap between Americans and the French, The Sweet Life in Paris is a quick entertaining read that alternates between short anecdotal chapters and recipes with a French flair that are also written with American shopping habits in mind.

Filled with Parisian cultural hints and savvy traveler advice, this book would be great to read if you have Paris travel in mind. For example, as Mr. Lebovitz explains, in Paris it is common for the shopkeepers to keep your change when you overpay for an item. I wish someone had clued me into that little tidbit before I was stiffed for 2 Euros at the Rodin Museum! And with a special chapter devoted to how to order water, it is clear that Paris is a special place with a culture all its own.

Of course, the best part about this book is the Parisian food. As a pastry chef, Mr. Lebovitz really does highlight the "sweet life" of Paris by including over 50 recipes in this book.

I'm dreaming of Paris, but maybe more specifically now I'm dreaming of Chocolate Mousse, Double-Chocolate Crepes and Mocha-Creme Fraiche Cake.

Review: The Alarmists by Don Hoesel

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:12:00 +0000

From the back cover: Sociologist Brent Michael's specialty is seeing order in the chaos of human interaction and he's just been given the most important assignment of his life. Joining a special Pentagon unit headed by Colonel Jameson Richards, they have one goal: Uncover why the world is rushing toward doomsday. It's December 2012 and the world is approaching the brink of panic-the timing of which eerily coincides with the ending of the Mayan calendar. But, beneath the despair of fanatics and doomsayers, and amid a rising tide of both man-made and natural disasters, something far more dangerous emerges-someone is manipulating events, pulling strings, and only Michaels and the team have a chance at stopping the end of the world.

Pages: 314
Year originally published: 2011
You might want to know: Murder, suspense, conspiracy theories
My source: I received this book complimentary from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review but the opinion is all mine.

What I thought: You know, I liked this book! What will happen when a shadowy NCIS-type group that operates in the basement of the Pentagon tries to stop a villainous mad man with untold riches and the ego to match?

With the references to Y2K and the upcoming end of the Mayan calendar in 2012, the book was very timely especially with some recent notorious "end of the world" predictions making evening news headlines. I enjoyed the suspense in the book and felt the scenarios were fairly plausible. This book is fast read with a plot that covers only 23 days in time and spans the far corners of the globe.

And on a side note, The Alarmists by Don Hoesel is published by a Christian publishing company, which I felt gave the book a few unique points including a romance that was doomed from the start because the lady won't date a man who doesn't share her same beliefs. Interesting. The book did contain murders and plots to murder millions, but one lady holds on to her belief in God when it comes to a relationship. Interesting.

NPR article: "Must Reads Exploring the Arab Spring"

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:59:00 +0000

As a citizen of the world, I feel it's important to understand current political and historical situations on all parts of this planet. When recent historical events began in Egypt in March 2011, I posted a link: New York Times book suggestions for understanding Egypt.

A few months into the 'Arab Spring', I think it's time to revisit the bookshelves in order to understand the region even better. Apparently the folks at NPR were thinking the same thing that I was thinking. Today I found this interesting article covering the geography from Morocco to Syria: NPR's "Must Reads Exploring the Arab Spring" by Tina Brown

Of the three authors mentioned in the NPR article, I have read Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Serierstad and her article on Syria is just as enlightening. Similarly, I have read Theroux's Great Railway Bazaar, but I have not have a chance to read his Tao of Travel. And of the third author, I must confess that until I read the NPR article, I had never heard of Tahar Ben Jelloun and his book Leaving Tangier.

So do you have any book recommendations for understanding the Arab World?

Do you agree/disagree with the authors recommended in the NPR article?

Review: Goodbye Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:23:00 +0000

Book Description (from the back cover): Charley's off to Scotland with her new beau, and Scotty and her dad travel to Maine in search of Scotty's mom. That's not all they're looking for though. There are still a lot of unanswered questions about faith. Scotty's faced with her bitterness toward Karissa and what it means to live a "Jesusy extraordinary" life. Shouldn't forgiveness play a role in that? And when Scotty and her dad land on her mother's last known trail, will their questions finally be answered?

Pages: 189
Year originally published: 2008
You might want to know: This book is the fourth and final book in the Hollywood Nobody series.
My source: I received this book complimentary from Navpress.com in exchange for an honest review but the opinion is all mine.
To purchase on Amazon: Goodbye Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson

My thoughts on Goodbye Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson: Hmmm...what did I think of this book? Well, I did like it, but not as much as I liked the first book in the series. I gave the first book Hollywood Nobody a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Goodbye Hollywood Nobody is not quite worthy of the 5 out of 5 stars rating, though.

As a teen-angst novel that would make a great beach read, it is a book I can recommend. The book is a fast read, with lots of relevant pop-culture references and yet remains wholesome and sweet, free of raunchy language and does not glorify teen sex.

What really made this book not quite a 5 for me was that very nature of the thing I love to love and that I love to hate: the series formula.

Like with many book series, while the first book in the series was new and interesting, by the time the fourth book rolls around, a lot of the newness has worn off. It's still a good concept, but stretching the idea over four books and nearly 800 pages just seemed a tad thin by the end.

On a side note, teens might really like all of the txt spk in the book. Frankly I was lost, but I'm not a teen so I can't fault the book for that! LOL!!

Honestly, I really did like this series so I'll give this last book 4 stars for the overall awesomeness of the Hollywood Nobody idea.

Zaatar Days, Henna Nights by Maliha Masood

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Wed, 25 May 2011 17:09:00 +0000

It's no secret that my favorite book genre is travel narratives. Due to lack of endless funds and time to travel on my own, I live vicariously as a devoted armchair traveler. From adventuresome kayaking forays on the Amazon to intrepid treks to the top of Mt. Everest, with my books I have experienced a lot of the world. So when I found Zaatar Days, Henna Nights by Maliha Masood, it was time for a little Middle East globe trekking.

Maliha Masood was a 28 year old single woman, already burned out from her tech career and still living in her parent's basement when she decided to discover life in the Middle East. Born in Pakistan, but raised for the most part in the United States, Ms. Masood decided that a focus on the modern-day Arab culture just might help her understand herself as a product of two worlds. Traveling for several months from Egypt around to Turkey, Ms. Masood meets characters from all walks of life and, a few times, learns way more than she bargained for.

Zaatar Days, Henna Nights really captured all of why I read travel narratives. As a Pakistani Muslim woman raised in the U.S., Ms. Masood was able to navigate the Middle East in a way that I never could. She was able to meet people and explain cultures both as a traveler and as a bit of an insider. I enjoyed reading of souks, imagining the smells and sounds. Her descriptions of mosques and Muslim prayer time were enlightening. I envied Ms. Masood's time spent in the famous Wadi Rum region, envisioning the desert beauty and the ancient ruins.

Travel requires some inherent trust of strangers, but what didn't sit well with me was that Ms. Masood seemingly approached few situations with an almost reckless abandon. In spite of travel security warnings, she continued her travels in Turkey where she was detained and accused of being a spy. Another time she and her friend were drugged inside a strange man's home. Still another time she was shortly imprisoned in different man's home and held as a potential new wife!

In spite of the scary situations, I liked this book. Or maybe, perhaps, because of the scary situations, I liked this book. Ms. Masood took on the Middle East in her own way, right or wrong, and has given me an unique insight into a region of the world I may never get the chance to see in person.

The travel genre is filled with books of exciting tales, but many of those tales are really just rehashing any old adventure that anyone could have. I mean, really, is the book Eat, Pray Love all that exciting and enlightening? In the Italian portion of Eat, Pray, Love the big revelation is that it's ok to eat? Get real. If you are looking to read more in the travel narrative genre, try stepping outside your own comfort zone, even if you are just stepping in the footsteps of a traveler very unlike yourself.

Pages: 298
Year originally published: 2007
You might want to know: I found it interesting to note that this book was published in 2007 which was before the recent political and social changes in the Middle East.
My source: the library

"The Curse of Captain LaFoote" by Eddie Jones

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:31:00 +0000

Ricky Bradshaw is a freshman in high school who lives alone on the Chesapeake Bay with his widowed truck-driving mom. Obsessed with all things nautical, Ricky is also a young man who lives with epilepsy. One fateful Christmas Eve, Ricky's life is turned upside down as a fire destroys the family's apartment and Ricky drowns in the river across the street. Or did he drown? If he died, then why is he very much alive, fighting pirates in the Caribbean, freeing Africans heading to a life of slavery in the New World and risking his life for a beautiful girl and dog that seems to hold a valuable clue?

Confused? Well, so was I when I first started reading The Curse of Captain LaFoote by Eddie Jones. By the end of the first three exciting chapters, Ricky Bradshaw had survived a fire in Maryland, died by drowning and was on a pirate ship in a completely different time and place from where the book started. Adding to the confusion was the book's endless nautical pirate-speak, which I readily admit I did not understand much of at all.

Once the pirate tale portion of this book gets going, this story really does get exciting. Mr. Jones is a very gifted writer who is able to plot a compelling story that kept even a mom like me engaged in the book. Adults young and old would enjoy this unique tale which does switch frequently in time, place and reality.

Here's my only real concern with this book: it is not a juvenile book. The back cover is labeled "Fiction/Juvenile." On Amazon this book is listed as being appropriate for ages 9-12.

Folks, in the first 50 pages a pregnant woman has committed suicide (but it's "ok" because she might be a ghost/angel?). In addition to the suicide, one pirate has murdered another by shooting him. Towards the end of the book, Ricky Bradshaw meets a "Witchy Woman" who is boiling the lower legs of a man and all while the man is still lying there alive next to her. And I'm not even going to go into detail about it, but there is an attempted rape of a 15 year old girl.

It's whacked.

I'm aware that pirates are popular with the kids and that pirates are known for bad reputations. But really? Do we need to add this title to an elementary book shelf, as Amazon would suggest?

This book really is quite good and is certainly well written. It's the first book in a series titled "Caribbean Chronicles" that really could be a hit series that would probably even make a great Hollywood film. I can think of many older teens and adults that would really like this book.

But please, I'm begging you, please be aware of what your 9 year old is reading.

My rating: This book gets a 3 of 5 stars because I'm deeply disturbed by this book being marketed to 'tweens. If this book was marketed to an older market, I would have given this book a higher rating which the excellent writing does deserve.
Pages: 253
Year originally published: 2011
You might want to know: Murder, suicide, cannibalism, attempted rape, peril and lots of pirate-like badness
My source: I received this book complimentary from Kathy Carlton Willis in exchange for an honest review but the opinion is all mine.

As part of my blog tour agreement with KCWC, I am to promote the following Pirate theme party kit. While I do not feel the book is for young children, this party kit does seem like it would be a memorable birthday party theme. Leave a comment before June 3rd and you will be entered to win this Pirate theme Party Kit

Grand Prize Giveaway

All you need for a PIRATE PARY!

8 invitations

8 - 9" party plates

8 - 9-oz. cups

16 luncheon napkins

16 pc. blue cutlery set

1 red plastic table cover

2 rolls of streamers, 1 blue and 1 red

12 each of blue and red balloons

2 pkgs. of confetti, 1 blue and 1 orange

4 yds. deluxe creepy cloth

12 pirate swords with eye patch

72 pirate tattoos

8 dessert plates

16 beverage napkins

8 treasure chest-shaped filled treat boxes

1 10 ft. pennant

12 child-size pirate hats

1 photo door banner

1 piñata and toy and candy asst.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Tell us about The Curse of Captain LaFoote.

EDDIE: When my boys were young, I'd tell pirate stores on the bow of our sailboat. The lead character was Captain Stinky Foot. Captain Stinky Foot was named after my youngest son. If you've ever spent any time on a boat in August with a crew of unwashed young males then this needs no further explanation. I've always been fascinated by the stories of boys snatched away from London and Bristol and forced to serve before the mast. Seems to me life at sea was more fun than peeling potatoes. And more dangerous.

So The Curse of Captain LaFoote is a pirate tale awash in buried treasure, romance and dead men's bones. The truth is, this book and the ones that follow in the Caribbean Chronicle series are love stories. For Ricky Bradshaw, the hero of the book, the story is a quest to find his father, soul mate, and purpose in life.

What is your lead’s wound?

EDDIE: A friend suggested that I let my lead have epilepsy. She said when she has an episode she sort of zones out—like daydreaming except she can’t stop it. She also said she knows when it’s about to happen. That she smells something like burning wires. So I gave Ricky epilepsy and finished the story.

It wasn’t until much later that I realized the book had a larger purpose. I met another woman at a writer’s conference whose son has epilepsy. During the conference, her son suffered a seizure — the first one he’d ever had without his mother present. The look on her face that morning convinced me that Ricky Bradshaw could be a champion for those suffering from epilepsy.

It’s not cancer or heart disease but over three million Americans live with epilepsy. If the sale of this book can raise awareness, then the book has done its job. For each book sold, the publisher and I will donate “a few pieces of eight” — half a sandy dollar — to the foundation’s Heroes Among Us program. Our goal is to raise ten thousand dollars in honor of Ricky Bradshaw.

What is the spiritual message in your book?

EDDIE: That courage cost. Near the end of the book Ricky has the chance to go back to his old life. We get to do the same thing, go back to our old way of doing things. But Christ says there is a cost for doing the right thing. Ricky faces that choice.

What takeaway value do you hope readers receive after reading this novel?

EDDIE: There are a lot of other deep and important themes explored in the book too. Things like what the poop deck is and why cruise ships no longer use them, the secrets inside Davy Jones' locker, and why you shouldn't walk downwind of a pirate who's just eaten turtle soup.

Seriously, my goal in writing this book was to spur the imagination of young readers. Boys especially. I wanted to create within them a desire to read and set sail for a life of adventure, wherever that journey may take them. Even now I can see Ricky standing on the sugar-white sands of that island just south of Hispaniola. I am that boy. And so are a lot of other boys.

"I Shall Not Hate" by Izzeldin Abuelaish

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Fri, 20 May 2011 18:59:00 +0000

Every once in a while you read a book that really sticks with you. I Shall Not Hate by Izzeldin Abuelaish is one of those books.

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish has survived more heartbreak and suffering than any one man should ever have to endure. A Palestinian doctor who was born and raised in the Gaza Strip, Dr. Abuelaish has devoted his life to treating all patients on both sides of the Palestinian/Israeli border. Following the sudden death of his wife from cancer in late 2008, Dr. Abuelaish and his eight children were still trying to piece their lives back together when another tragedy struck. On January 16, 2009, Israeli shells hit his home, killing three daughters and a niece. Yet through it all, Dr. Abuelaish still holds to his beliefs and steadfastly maintains that he will not hate.

It's hard to read this book and not think of recent headlines covering the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. When I heard of the latest clashes, I did notice myself truly paying attention to the number of people injured and killed on both sides. For me, this book has forever put a human voice to those casualty numbers we sometimes hear and always quickly forget.

This book was difficult to read on many levels, but that should not deter others from reading it. First, as a person who has never traveled to Middle East and has not be raised in the Muslim faith, this book was complicated when it came to names of places and events as well as when trying to understand distances and historical references. I would have liked to have seen many more maps and translation guides to explain the culture and the region. Secondly, this book was obviously very tragic, sometimes beyond words. On sheer human heartbreaking terms, this is a family that lost a mother, three sisters and a niece all within the span of a few short months.

However, for all of the difficulties I had reading this book, I would still recommend I Shall Not Hate. As the title indicates, Dr. Abuelaish chooses to live his life as a model for all citizens of this planet. And for that reason, his story transcends politics and religion. His is a human story of what can happen and how each of us has a choice in how we respond.

Pages: 255
Year originally published:
You might want to know: My review is based on an advanced reading copy which may or may not reflect the final published version of this book.
Source: In exchange for my honest review, I received a complimentary copy of this advanced reader from the folks at LibraryThing.com via their Early Reviewers program. The opinions in this review are all mine.

Winner of the Pearl Girls Necklace

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Tue, 17 May 2011 19:21:00 +0000

Thank you all so much for following along with the Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother's Day blog series. I pray you laughed, cried and were touched by the translucent stories of real life written by new moms, stepmoms, grandmoms, adoptive moms, and moms without moms. Iridescent reality. And how poignant that the translucent nacre which coats the sand stuck inside an oyster’s shell is called Mother of Pearl. Mothers surround children with their love and with God’s love so they can grow in grace. I hope you'll join us this December for the third annual 12 Pearls of Christmas series.

AND ... thanks too, to all of you who entered to win the beautiful hand crafted pearl necklace. I'm thrilled to announce that the winner is ...

Jennifer (heavensent1)!

Jennifer, please email amy@pearlgirls.info; with your mailing address.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/; and see what we're all about. The purpose of Pearl Girls is to connect women so that together, we can make a difference in the world. All proceeds of the Pearl Girls book go in full to two charities: Wings; (women in need growing stronger) to help fund a safe house in the Chicago suburbs and to Hands of Hope to help build wells for schoolchildren in Uganda. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls™ products to help support Pearl Girls.

Please stop by the Pearl Girls blog and connect with us there.

Guest post by Peggy Sue Wells

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Mon, 09 May 2011 09:02:00 +0000

Are You Stuck?

By PeggySue Wells

What’s holding you back from pursuing your dreams?

Interviewing people for my books, talking with them at events, or interacting through one-on-one life coaching, I’ve found that many yearn to take their lives to the next level. To move the ‘someday’ list into the today category.

How can you make that happen? Can you make it happen?

My husband of over 20 years decided to leave. My seven children and I were devastated. Where was God? What do I do now? There were days I couldn’t get out of bed because of the weight of despair. Trying to cope and parent, the turning point came when I applied five simple steps that took me forward. These steps and the checkpoints that kept, and still keep me on track are given in my speaking events and my new book, Rediscovering Your Happily Ever After.

Slight modifications can produce boundless results. These simple acts I could incorporate by noon. Each one was a shift in my outlook and a simple attitude adjustment that is reaping a lifetime of benefits for me and my loved ones. Surprisingly, these steps helped me look more beautiful—inside and out. Even my posture improved.

If you could do anything, no matter how zany, unrealistic, or expensive, what would that be? What desire burns in your heart? What do you yearn to do and be?

Are you at a crossroad? Slight changes can make it easy for you and me to tweak our course and aim for a more satisfying today.

What are you resisting? A crisis can destroy us or it can make us stronger. Deeper. The turning point comes in how we face the crisis.

What are your excuses? Our excuses usually illuminate what we are supposed to do but are too scared to pursue and achieve. The only person who believes an excuse is the one serving it up. No one else is buying the bologna we are selling any more than we believe the excuses others dish out to us. An excuse is nothing more than a well-crafted lie that no one believes except the person making it.

How we keep our word, our commitments, reveals if we are people of integrity. Keeping my word to myself is as important as keeping my word to others.

Our lives are to be spent. Not to be saved. How we invest our life is one of the most important decisions we make. Are you living full out? Each of us decides how we will invest our time. Today is an opportune moment to invest your life in pursuits that will outlive you.

Go ahead. Dare to dream. Dream big. Then take the next step to make your dream reality. Invest the first five minutes and celebrate the progress. No excuses.

We all need an extra large scoop of hope, no matter where we are on our life’s journey. Whether you are stymied at a life-changing crossroad or eager to create an energetic tomorrow, you can affect the outcome of your life. Today.

PeggySue Wells is a dynamic and interactive speaker specializing in enabling others to reach for and achieve their dreams. She is the author of a dozen books including the What to Do series and Rediscovering Your Happily Ever After. Contact her at http://www.peggysuewells.com/.

This article is provided free of charge by the author through Kathy Carlton Willis Communications. You are welcome to place this article on your site or in your publication as long as 1) it’s used in its entirety, 2) the full bio is also used, and 3) you previously request permission through KCWC at russ@kathycarltonwillis.com. All other standard copyrights apply.

Guest Blog post by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson (and chance to win a pearl necklace)

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Thu, 05 May 2011 07:20:00 +0000

Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother's Day blog series. The series is week long celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today's best writer's (Tricia Goyer, Megan Alexander, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Beth Engelman, Holley Gerth, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, and more). I hope you'll join us each day for another unique perspective on Mother's Day.

AND ... do enter the contest for a chance to win a beautiful hand crafted pearl necklace. To enter, just {CLICK THIS LINK} and fill out the short form. Contest runs 5/1-5/8 and the winner will on 5/11. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/ and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls™ products (all GREAT Mother's Day gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

And to all you MOMS out there! Happy Mother's Day!

A Mother's Day Wish by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

Heads up: Margaret McSweeney deserves a medal, or at least a commendation for giving everyone a much deserved Mother’s Day rest. Okay, y’all can be seated. I’m glad you agree, but you’re supposed to be taking a load off, remember? Oh, and full disclosure—Margaret didn’t know I was going to say that so I hope she leaves it in, and no, I didn’t do it just because I’m ridiculously nostalgic about the theme of her community, although I am. As the Belle of All Things Southern, one who is southern to the bone, I have a thing about pearls.

When I was a teenager, add-a-pearl necklaces were all the rage. They may not be as wildly popular anymore as they were back in the day but I still say they’ll always be a classic concept: a gift of a single pearl on a dainty chain given with the intentions of adding other pearls on important holidays and special occasions. Today, I see add-a-pearls as a beautiful reminder of the accumulated wisdom we learn from our mamas. Oh, sure, we snicker as young girls because not all of their advice strikes us as useful and some of it seems positively fossilized, but hopefully, over time and with the Father’s blessing, we gain enough perspective to see that these mama-isms—the important values and the silly little lagniappe— are all increasing in value with the years. By the way, that’s my Mother’s Day wish for each of you, that we’d each take the time and the responsibility to thread these precious heirlooms into treasures worthy of bequeathing to the next generation. Mother’s Day...

May I be honest? I’m looking ahead to the annual celebration with somewhat mixed emotions. I’m not feeling very Mother of the Year. Instead of cooking dinner for my most deserving mama and enjoying her company, instead of reveling in the love of my husband, kids, and grands, (known as the Baby Czars of All Things Southern), I’ll be on the road, touring with my latest book “Sue Ellen’s Girl Ain’t Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy.” I’ve got Mama’s gift bought, wrapped, and ready to be delivered by my beloved hubby, and my grown kids understand that I didn’t choose the release date, but the facts remain: I won’t be there. (Shameless plugs time, anyone? My daughter blogs at Kitchen Belleicious and is raising funds to build an orphanage in Rwanda at Shelter a Child http://www.shelterachild.com/ and my daughter-in-law celebrates the daily details of getting to know the Holy One at Providence, http://providence-carey.blogspot.com/). I won’t get to enjoy Mama tickling the ivory from the piano bench of Melbourne Baptist Church and I won’t be overdosing on baby sugah. Sigh.

But, then, I mentioned mixed emotions earlier, didn’t I? Well, before some sweet soul cues the violin music, perhaps I should lighten up and come clean on what Mr. Harvey would call “the rest of the story.” It so happens that while the 8th of May will find me miles from home, it’ll also find me in Savannah, Georgia where I’ve secured myself a little reservation at that famous establishment belonging to Mrs. Paula Deen, the Queen of Southern Cooking. Indeed, y’all, I’ll be suffering for Jesus at The Lady and Sons. I know. It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it.

Regardless of where you spend it, I wish you each a Happy Mother’s Day. I’d love to think that everyone reading my words had a mother like mine, a woman of faith who taught me from childhood of the Risen Savior who saves souls and anchors lives. But, dear reader, if that’s not your past, I hope you know it can be your future. I pray you’ll be the one that begins such a legacy, and that you’ll be moved to start building that heritage today.

I’d love to see y’all on the road somewhere. Watch for me, and I’ll watch for you. I’ll be the one with an empty glass of sweet tea looking, always looking, for a refill.

Hugs,
Shellie

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, known as the Belle of All Things Southern is a radio host, columnist, author, speaker and founder of the All Things Southern online community, http://www.allthingssouthern.com/. She loves meeting, greeting, laughing and learning with the whole wide world or as many who wander her way. Shellie once dreamed of writing great important things that changed the world, only once she started writing the world grinned and christened her a humorist. Shellie saw this as a problem at first, until she discovered that the laughter softens hearts, builds relationships, and invites her into people’s hurting hearts where she can share her own, which is exactly where she wanted to be all along. Look for Shellie’s latest book, Sue Ellen’s Girl Ain’t Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy wherever fine books are sold.

Guest blog post by Megan Alexander (and a chance to win a pearl necklace)

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Tue, 03 May 2011 07:17:00 +0000

A Merry Heart ... by Megan Alexander

Sometimes family is really all you need. This was reinforced to me when my Mother shared a story a few days ago about her mother, my Grandma. You see, when my Grandma was a very young girl, around age 10, she was diagnosed with polio. This meant long hospital stays, extremely limited interaction with children her own age and lonely days staring out the window from her hospital bed. In those days, with polio, they felt keeping the children very subdued and quiet was best, and this particular hospital was as drab as can be. It was also during the time of the Depression, which meant money was tight and life was tough. Day in and day out, she was given the best medicine and treatment, but she wasn’t thriving and recovering. Daily visits from adult doctors and specialists is not exactly stimulating for a young girl. Her health was so poor, at one point, a Catholic Priest had administered the "last rites" at her bedside.

One day, her older brother and sister decided to sneak some brand new baby kittens into her hospital room. Their cat Fitzy had just had babies, and the cute kittens were small enough to put in a basket. Upon entering her room, my mother says they quietly took off the lid and showed my Grandma the sweet little kittens and let her cuddle with them. Her mother, my Great Grandmother, observed my Grandma’s mood instantly lift. Her eyes sparkled and she squealed with delight at the cute kitties! Her whole demeanor changed and she came to life.

My Great Grandma took all this in and made a decision that day. She decided that my Grandma would heal much better at home. She promptly checked my Grandma out of the hospital and brought her home with her family. My Grandma did gradually recover, among the love and warmth of her family. You know what Proverbs 17 says “ A merry heart does good like a medicine.” Also, I can imagine that she healed emotionally and physically and spiritually as well and that combined strength wouldn't have been possible in the hospital alone.

When they left that day, the hospital instructed my Great Grandmother to massage my Grandma’s legs everyday, something she promised the hospital she would do, and she did. My Grandma was one of the few people we know who did not have a limp or shortened leg due to polio. And perhaps most importantly, the entire family was always praying for my Grandma.

I’m not saying that medicine is bad or not necessary. But there is no cure quite like the warmth of your family. Its like milk, it simply does a body good. As a pregnant Mom about to give birth to a baby boy, I am inspired to provide this same love to my child. May he feel the same warm love from his family that my Grandma felt from her’s.

And in this same way, we are called sons and daughters of God. Galatians 4:1-7
“Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

God claims you and I as his children. This is a wonderful gift and identity that is good for our heart and soul, and something that is more powerful than all the medicine in the world.

Megan Alexander can be seen nightly as a television correspondent for the top rated news magazine show “Inside Edition”. She also appears on the CNN program “Showbiz Tonight”. She especially enjoys reporting on stories with a heart. She graduated from Westmont College with a degree in Political Science. She loves speaking to youth and works with Girls Inc and National American Miss. She and her husband reside in the New York City area and attend Redeemer Church of Manhattan. For more on Megan, go to http://www.meganalexander.com/. Megan’s mother, Mary, resides in Seattle and provided insight into this essay.

New voting system on Multnomah-Waterbrook website

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Mon, 02 May 2011 23:37:00 +0000

Like in many things in life, people are crafty and way smarter than I am.

The book blogging program for Multnomah-Waterbrook called "Blogging for Books" has had system for ranking great reviews. Turns out people found a way around the program (and therefore "win" all of the prizes), so now there is a new way to vote for great reviews.

Recently I wrote a review about Nick Vujicic's book Life Without Limits. You can read my review of Vujicic's inspiring book here. Since some scammers found a way around the system, the good folks at Multnomah-Waterbrook have had to reset the entire system back to zero.

So...if you would feel so inclined, you can vote for my review at the bottom of my review posting or you can vote for my review here:

Thank you so much!

First We Have Coffee by Margaret Jensen

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Sun, 01 May 2011 07:51:00 +0000

First published in 1982, First We Have Coffee by Margaret Jensen chronicles the desperate struggles of a Norwegian immigrant family to live an honest and God-fearing life. As the family strives to settle in America, hard times and the Great Depression force the family to make do with the VERY little they had. When Jensen's father, a traveling preacher, receives "The Call from God" to move his North, the entire Jensen clan heads to the wide open plains of Canada where winter clamps down with a fierce grip for months on end.

Throughout it all, Jensen's mother maintains grace and a unwavering belief in God. This book is filled with astonishing stories from happy times in Mama's spotless kitchen to very sad times when children passed away. First We Have Coffee is an autobiography that covers a time less than 100 years ago, but in many ways is a time that has been very forgotten. People today have no idea how to survive on nothing, dressing their children by sewing clothes from scraps while feeding every needy stranger that knocks on the door.

First We Have Coffee is considered a classic by some. The question is whether this is a classic immigrant story book or if this book is more of a classic book profiling powerful Christian living.

I love to read about women with strong character and just plain spunky gumption. The immigrant struggles chronicled in this book are extremely compelling. This is one of those books that really makes you shake your head in amazement. As a wife, mother and Christian, I am in complete awe over the Jensen family's genuine perseverance and their heartfelt belief in God.

In the end though, this book is much more than a story of immigrants. The unwavering belief in God and His provisions is truly inspirational. My copy of First We Have Coffee is signed by the author. Along with her signature, Margaret Jensen added "Proverbs 20:27." This Bible verse in Proverbs Chapter 20 reads "27 - The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being." This verse perfectly summarizes Margaret Jensen's family and her life. Throughout this book, every corner of Jensen's life and being was illuminated by the Lord. A light that shone in good times and in bad, helping others and always seemingly entertaining angels unaware.

As an immigrant autobiographical book, this book is really quite good. As an inspirational book on how to live a dedicated Christian life in the face of many adversities, this book is definitely a classic.

Pages: 185
Year originally published: 1982
You might want to know: If you like to read plucky immigrant stories, I must recommend my favorite Norwegian Immigrant book, Nothing To Do But Stay by Carrie Young. Amazing.
Source: A good book-reading friend gave me this book! Hi!

Biography of the Royal Newlyweds to be released on May 17th...already?

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 18:58:00 +0000

Official Wedding photo courtesy of Flikr

According to the New York Times, famous biographer Andrew Morton will release his biography of the newlyweds on May 17th. Morton admits that he did not interview the subjects of his book, William and Kate. Even so, this unauthorized biography should fly off the bookstore shelves, no?

Already, on Amazon, the cover picture of Morton's book is a photo from yesterday's events:

Wow.

Yes, just plain "wow" especially given Morton's history with the Royal family after the Diana book (version 1 and version 2). Should be interesting to see how the public reacts to this latest book!

In my Mailbox and from the Library: April 10-29, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:54:00 +0000

In my Mailbox:

The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy is set in Guernsey during World War II. I really did like The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, so hopefully this book will be a little more of the same?

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin is a debut novel that centers around the polygamous family of Baba Segi, a middle aged Nigerian with four wives and seven children. I don't like getting into reading ruts, so my hope for this book is to get me to read something new that I would never normally try.

I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor's Journey on the Road to Peace and Humanity by Izzeldin Abuelaish is a powerful book. This book arrived this week and I started it immediately. I can't wait to share this amazing story. I do hope the second half of this book turns out to be as astonishing as the first half was.

From the Library:

A few family members will soon be taking a trip to Russia to see Moscow and St. Petersburg. It will be a cultural trip with plenty of time spent in a variety of places from the Bolshoi Ballet to the Hermitage. This made me realize how little I know of Russian history and culture. Natasha's Dance: A Cultural History of Russia by Orlando Figes comes highly recommended as being a great resource that is also a good read.

So what great books did you find this week?

Read anything interesting that I should check out?

Are you watching the Royal Wedding?

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:19:00 +0000

So, are you watching the Royal Wedding live tomorrow?

Or, if you live in the Pacific Time Zone like I do,

are you watching the Royal Wedding live in the middle of the night?!

As a teen I was obsessed with England, especially London. Who didn't love all that great 80s British music? Back in the day, I memorized the subway connections from a map of London's famous underground subway system...and I had never been to London! Even years later, I still have never set foot in England.

But back to my point.

Yes, my youngest is a bit of an Anglophile. I have trained her well.

A few weeks ago, my daughter wrote a letter to the Queen of England to ask her about her dogs. Amazingly, she got a response!! Now true, the letter was written by one of the Queen's Ladies in Waiting, but nevertheless, it was a response. And it wasn't a form letter sent out generically! The letter was written to my daughter and answered her question about the Queen's pets. Also with the letter we received two informative fliers, one about the pets and one about Buckingham Palace.

So, to answer my own question...yes, we will be up in the middle of the night to watch the wedding. We are going to drink tea from fancy tea cups, eat crumpets (aka english muffins) and we will act silly.

No one else in the house is interested in this whole lavish affair, so while they sleep, it will be just me and my daughter. Watching a fairy tale wedding at a horrible time of night. And I'm sure we will be loving every minute of it!

Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:27:00 +0000

Finally a teen book that teens might actually like! I'm certainly no expert in the hugely popular Young Adult category, but I do have children that read these books and I know what they like in a book.

Book Summary

Fifteen year old Scotty Dawn's life seems pretty great to most people. With tons of freedom and little parental interaction, Scotty is free to roam through Hollywood movie sets and even schools herself with assignments she makes up! All is not as it seems, though, when Scotty learns secrets which could change everything. Who is Scotty Dawn once she learns that her family isn't as it seems and that her under-the-radar lifestyle could be a matter of life and death?

My review

Hollywood Nobody was really a great book, even as a read for a mom like me. The main character, Scotty Dawn, has grown up on numerous Hollywood movie sets but only because of her mom's job. Scotty therefore describes herself as Hollywood Nobody, secret author of an inside Hollywood gossip blog. The author of Hollywood Nobody Lisa Samson, uses the blog parts of the book to show the crazy, backwards and dangerous pitfalls of keeping up with the fake lifestyles of Hollywood. Throughout the book, author Samson brilliantly points out the downfalls of trying to be a Size 0 or drinking and doing drugs way too early. It's pure genius to have a fifteen year old character as the Hollywood insider, drawing attention to the liars and fakeness that all girls feel they must emulate. With a teen narrator, the book never seems preachy and always seems to convey a clear message that girls should just be who they are. Loved that!

Another GREAT part of Hollywood Nobody is the mystery that unfolds in the last part of the book. Just when readers are getting into Scotty Dawn's unconventional life and schooling methods, a HUGE shocking mystery is revealed that leaves everyone wondering what will happen next! A few questions are answered in this book, but not surprisingly readers will have to read books 2-4 of the series to find out the rest. Without revealing any plot spoilers, the mystery slightly gruesome, but not too much, especially if you have an older teen that is used to those over-the-top TV dramas. The mystery itself is really intriguing, so much so that I myself might just have to read the rest of the books in the series just to find out what is going to happen!

I'm giving this book five of five stars. It's a book for teens, but I enjoyed this book. The non-preachy "just be yourself" message combined with the mystery really is a book that teens will enjoy. This book covers many topics that parents want teens to learn such as the dangers of drugs and the dangers of placing Hollywood starlets on a pedestal. Got a teen girl that needs a good series to read for the summer? Give this book series a chance!

Pages: 209
Year originally published: 2007
You might want to know: Hollywood Nobody is Book One in a series of four books.
My source: I received this book complimentary from Navpress via their book blogging program in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are all mine.

Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 19:41:00 +0000

Every once in a while you hear about a person that is TRULY inspiring. Nick Vujicic is one of those people and his story, Life Without Limits, is astonishing.

As you can see in the cover photo, Nick Vujicic (pronounced Voy-a-chich) was born without arms and legs. He does have use of a small left foot, which allows him to accomplish such tasks as driving!

Born in Australia in 1984, Vujicic is an international motivational speaker well-known for inspiring talks as well as being somewhat of a YouTube sensation. Here's an example of Vujicic from YouTube:

In his book, Life Without Limits, Vujicic chronicles his childhood with a sincere honesty that is at times almost difficult to read because of the flaws his positive attitude expose in our own attitudes. Imagine being a teen with a huge embarrassing zit on your nose. Now imagine being Vujicic with that same zit but no arms to touch it with or feet to walk to the doctor with. Throughout his book Vujicic tells story after story of heartfelt experiences that we have all faced, but for most of us we have been blessed with arms and legs to help us.

And that is the most astonishing part of Vujicic story.

In Life Without Limits, he truly does seem happy. When faced with what most of us would see as some sort of insurmountable disaster, Vujicic has not only accepted his fate in life, but seems to be thriving! And now as a motivational speaker, he has been blessed to travel the world speaking and preaching to millions.

As a middle age lady, I do have one small complaint with Life Without Limits and that is that Nick Vujicic is still quite young. At times the book felt a little heavy on youthful optimism and a bit saturated with star-struck name dropping. Definitely this book still is one to recommend to all readers, but an older reader might just want to keep Vujicic's age in mind while reading. While he has already lived a life beyond comprehension to most people, I do hope that he follows up in a few years with another book that chronicles day-to-day life and how he copes in ordinary situations. Hopefully his next book will be more about him and not so much about convincing others how happy he is?

I plan to give this book to my senior-aged dad as a birthday gift while at the same time I want my teenager to read Life Without Limits. It really is that good. It's an astonishing story that is honest, uplifting and convicting all at the same time.

And while this book is printed by a Christian publishing house and Vujicic speaks openly about his belief in Christ's redemption, I would also say that non-Christians would enjoy reading this book as well. Vujicic's story is for everyone who thinks they are having a bad day and that there is no hope in the world. After reading Vujicic's story, you will be transformed.

Pages: 238
Year originally published: 2010
You might want to know: Nick Vujicic's website is http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/.
Source: I received this book from Multnomah-Waterbrook publishers in exchange for an honest review, but the opinion is all mine.

If you liked my review, please rank my review on the Multnomah-Waterbook website! Reviewers can win prizes and I like to win prizes. Thank you!

Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer - A Review and Blog Tour info

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 06:28:00 +0000

I'm not a fan of your typical Amish fiction but this book really did sound different from the start so I gave it a chance. Believe me when I say that it really was different. Read on to learn more about Tricia Goyer's Beside Still Waters!

Litfuse Summary of Beside Still Waters: Marianna Sommer believes she knows where her life is headed. Nineteen years old and Amish, her plan is to get baptized into the church, marry Aaron Zook, and live in the only community she's ever known.

When Marianna's family moves from Indiana to Montana she discovers life and faith will never be the same. As she builds an easy friendship with local guy, Ben Stone, Ben not only draws her heart, he also gets her thinking about what loving God and living in community is all about.

As Marianna struggles to find "home", she also encounters God in intimate ways.

My Thoughts about this book: As I mentioned, I'm not a fan of the whole Amish fiction genre. Even so, I took a chance and grabbed the opportunity to review Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer. Goyer had never written an Amish book before, so I was hoping she would bring a fresh outlook to the crowd. And without a doubt, I was intrigued by the unique Montana setting.

Happily, I was not disappointed.
In fact, I was pleasantly surprised!

Yes, Beside Still Waters is still an Amish novel filled with quilt making, rigid family practices and lots of discussions about Rumspringa. Been there, done that. Snooze.

Two main points set Beside Still Waters apart of the Amish fiction pack: Goyer's fresh voice and the gorgeous Montana setting.

First, Goyer has skillfully created a main character in Marianne that is Amish, but that also behaves in ways that daughters all over the world can relate to. More than being tied to her lifestyle simply because it is her world, Marianne stands by her family seemingly just because it is her family. Throughout the book Marianna questions Amish traditions and wonders about her place in the Amish world, but in the end is still Amish because that is her life. As a character Marianna could have been any number of nationalities that hold family traditions closely and where who you are depends on who your loving family is.

Second, this book is set in one of the most beautiful places in America, Northwestern Montana. To get a visual idea of the setting click here to watch the book trailer and the author interview: http://triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#BesideStillWaters Isn't that place just beautiful beyond belief?

In many ways, the first half of Beside Still Waters was a bit boring to me simply because the first half was set in a typical rolling countryside of America's Midwest. When Marianna and her family boarded the train to Montana is when the book really got interesting. I had no idea the Amish even lived in Montana! It was fascinating to find out how the Amish have adapted to mountain life without large Amish support groups all around them.

Tricia Goyer is already working on a second book in this Montana Amish series and I just might have to check that one out. It is titled Along Wooded Paths and is due out October 2011. Yes, I just might become somewhat of a fan of that Amish fiction IF Tricia Goyer keeps writing her Montana Amish series!

OH! And I almost forgot! Goyer placed a few recipes in the back of Beside Still Waters so of course we just had to try one in order to complete this review. We chose to make Tramp Soup (a.k.a. Potato Soup). When it came to following the recipe, that was not so easy as the directions were vague and a bit misleading. We weren't sure whether to cook and then drain or cook and then add more liquid or whatever. Hopefully these issues have since been resolved since I was reviewing an unedited advance reader copy. As for the final product though, we LOVED it! It was a hearty soup with simple ingredients that would be wonderful on a cold wintry evening, especially in the mountains of Montana.

Don't miss the chance to win a copy of Beside Still Waters for yourself! Head on over to Tricia Goyer's blog to enter to win one of ten books she is giving away AND as a bonus she's giving away a Montana Amish Calender to all who enter!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

About Tricia: Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-six books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife. Visit http://www.triciagoyer.com/ for more info. (Litfuse provided this great bio of Tricia.)

Pages: 258
Year originally published: 2011
You might want to know: My review is based on my reading of an advanced reader copy which may or may not reflect the final edited version currently on the market.
Source: I received this book complimentary from LitFuse in exchange for an honest review as a participant in a blog tour, however the opinion is all mine.

Don't take my word for it...Click here to visit other Lit Fuse blog tour stops

to read what others have to say about Beside Still Waters!

Don't forget to enter to win a copy of Beside Still Waters for yourself!

Had a BIG garage sale last weekend...bye bye extra books!

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 16:53:00 +0000

I have been threatening to have this garage sale for a while now, but last weekend I finally did it. Along with a friend, we FILLED my driveway with ~~junk~~ treasures and in the end we made almost $1000!

Among the ~~junk~~ treasures...22 boxes of books! Yes, TWENTY TWO BOXES of books! As you can see from the picture, the boxes lined up one side of the driveway, then curves around onto the porch.

In the end, I was able to shrink my stacks of books quite a lot. Not everything sold, but I'm ok with that. My church is having a huge rummage sale next month, so all of the unsold books went to them.

Honestly, my family was shocked that I went through with it. They know I'm pretty attached to my books. Don't tell them, but it feels good to get some of the books out of the house! A pile of books to be read is one thing, but I could have probably never read all of those books in my entire lifetime anyway. It was nice to part with them, scale my TBR pile back to a manageable level and begin to enjoy the really good books that I decided to keep.

So what about you? Any garage sale plans this year? Getting rid of massive amounts of books?

In My Mailbox and from the Library April 1-9, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 07:41:00 +0000

Ahhhh...spring break! Now if only the Pacific Northwest would get a break from the RAIN! It's great to curl up with a book on a rainy day, but around here the rain stretches from October to April...

In My Mailbox:

This book is something way outside my usual reading and I'm pretty excited about it. A sociologist is given the task from that Pentagon to discover why the world is rushing towards doomsday! (That's my summary of the back cover.) This is definitely not your momma's Amish Fiction.

In my wildest dreams, one day I will write a novel of historical fiction. Without a doubt, my book will be about women in the Pacific Northwest in the 1800s. I received Many Tender Ties after waiting for months for it to appear on my PaperBackSwap wish list. One day this book will help me write that novel that bouncing around in my head.

Lazarus Awakening by Joanna Weaver (LitFuse Blog Tour)

noreply@blogger.com (Pamela Swearingen) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:30:00 +0000

I've been in a wide variety of Bible studies over the years. Sadly, I can't say I even remember some of the study books our group used to help us in our studies. That is definitely not so with Joanna Weaver books, though. Weaver's books are genuine, honest and applicable to everyday life. My favorite one was Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, but Having a Mary Spirit was wonderful as well. Her third book in the trilogy, Lazarus Awakening, has just been released and it really is as good as the first two books.

About the book: Lazarus Awakening (courtesy of Litfuse)

Getting God’s Love from Our Heads to Our Hearts

You believe that God loves the world…but sometimes you wonder if He truly loves you.

For many of us, moving the truth of God’s love from our heads to our hearts is a lifelong process. As we consider our inadequacies or grieve our shattered dreams, we find it difficult to believe that God cares for us personally.

In this life-giving book, Joanna Weaver shows you how to embrace the truth that Jesus loves you apart from anything you accomplish, apart from anything you bring. Just as He called Lazarus forth to new life, Jesus wants to free you to live fully in the light of His love, unbound from the graveclothes of fear, regret, and self-condemnation.

Love is calling your name.

Combining unforgettable real-life illustrations with unexpected biblical insights, Joanna Weaver invites you to experience a spiritual resurrection that will forever change your understanding of what it means to be the one Jesus loves. Bible study and Leader’s Guide available here. http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/books/lazarus-awakening/

My Review of Lazarus Awakening

I am so excited that Joanna Weaver is back again with an insightful down-to-earth Bible study book! Like a visit from an old friend, this book touches you where you need it...in your head and your heart. Weaver uses Jesus' raising of Lazarus from the dead and parallels that with your life.

Lazarus was sick...in what ways are you sick, either physically or mentally?
Lazarus was separated from Jesus behind a huge stone...what huge boulders are you hiding behind?

Each chapter in Lazarus Awakening consists of approximately 10-15 pages of introspection and Christian counseling. And for those desiring something more in-depth, a chapter-by-chapter study guide is included in the appendix section of Lazarus Awakening filled with important questions guided by key Bible verses. This book would work well in a women's small group Bible study or even just to read it on your own.

Really, you can't go wrong with a Joanna Weaver Bible study and Lazarus Awakening is no exception. Reading her books truly is like a visit from an old trusted friend. Weaver is fun and approachable, but brutally honest just like an old friend should be.

Pages: 221
Year originally published: 2011
Source: I received this book complimentary from LitFuse in exchange for an honest review, but the opinion is all mine. Don't miss the other LitFuse reviews of this title at http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13184491
You might want to know: Joanna is celebrating the release of Lazarus Awakening with the Heart of God KINDLE Giveaway!

In Lazarus Awakening Joanna writes about getting God’s love from our heads to our hearts. We all know Jesus loved Mary – look how she worshiped. And we can understand why He loved Martha – after all, look how she served. But what about those of us who don’t know where we fit in the heart of God? Lazarus Awakening explores the tale of the third follower – Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus. We never hear him speak, we never see him serve. The only thing of any significance that Lazarus did was to die. And yet, the Bible is clear. Jesus loved Lazarus. And He loves you and me as well. Lazarus Awakening looks at different aspects of the story we find in John 11. We learn what it means to be a friend of God and begin recognizing the tombs we spend far too much time in. Find out more here.

One grand prize winner will receive:

    * A Brand New KINDLE with Wi-Fi
    * Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World
    * Having A Mary Spirit
    * Lazarus Awakening

Joanna will also select two additional contest entrants to receive copies of her trilogy. Enter soon by clicking the icons below and then tell your friends. Hurry the contest ends April 16th. The winner will be announced on Joanna's blog on April 18th.

About Joanna:

Joanna Weaver is known the world over for her transparent and life-changing books, Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit. These two books have sold over a million copies and have been translated into several languages including Spanish, French, Dutch, Chinese, German, Korean and more. Joanna has appeared on a wide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts. Past appearances include: The Harvest Show, At Home Live With Chuck & Jenni, Midday Connection, HomeWord, and Janet Parschall’s America. She is also a highly sought after speaker and shares her message at intimate gatherings and several high profile events each year. But Joanna's greatest joy is found in being a wife and mother and her role as a pastor’s wife. For more information about Joanna, please visit her website. http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/.