Behind the Wall by Robert Elmer (book review)

From Brianna, teen reviewer: 

"Life Behind the Wall, a collection of three books: Candy Bomber, Beetle Bunker, and Smuggler’s Treasure, by Robert Elmer, is a very interesting story about the Berlin wall and the people separated by it. The book begins with a boy in 1988 hiding in an old C-54 and seeing a name carved into the bottom of a  wooden seat. The author then takes you back forty years earlier to 1948 in Berlin, Germany to tell the story of the name carved into the wooden seat and brings you through the three books back to the present and weaves the stories together. 

I really enjoyed this book and learned about an important event in history. I love how even though the main characters were different in each book, he brought all of it together into one very interesting story. I do think it is more for kids 11-13 or somewhere around there, but I enjoyed it so it isn’t totally boring for kids older than 13. 

The author teaches about this historical event in an interesting way.

It did get a little confusing sometimes just trying to figure out how it went together, but wasn’t very confusing overall." 

My 12-year-old daughter enjoyed the book as well. I love that they enjoyed learning some history while reading these books! We definitely recommend them. ~Jessica

Book Description

Marking the 55th anniversary of the creation of the Berlin Wall, this epic tale extends across generations and unfolds against the backdrop of a dangerous Cold War Berlin. This historically accurate, action-packed, 3-books-in-one features teens and their family's struggle living in the shadow of the Berlin Wall, from its creation after WWII, to life behind the wall during the Cold War, to the Wall's ultimate and final destruction.

Both educational and exciting, Life Behind the Wall is a great choice for middle readers at home or school.

Buy the book on Amazon here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Signed, Sealed, Delivered (review)

I was privileged to review an episode from a new series called Signed, Sealed, Delivered. The series airs on Hallmark and is, as I discovered for myself, a warm, funny, wholesome show! I was impressed by this episode. Shows like this are hard to find these days! Biblical undertones were present as well, and that was incredibly refreshing. I was also impressed that they used actors with special needs. This episode was beautifully done and I found myself pretty choked up by the end.

The only thing I saw that was a little objectionable was a scene in which an actress wears very tight clothing. Everything else was fine.

My family hasn't seen it yet, and I'm anxious to watch it with them! I hope to catch more episodes.

Watch it!

You can read more info, including air times, below:

Signed, Sealed, Delivered 

The new original series "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" is a wonderful combination of romance, comedy and drama that follows the lives of four postal detectives who transform themselves into a team of detectives to track down intended recipients of undeliverable mail. Their missions take them out of the office where redirected letters and packages can save lives, solve crimes, reunite old loves and change futures by arriving late but somehow always on time. The team includes charming Oliver O’Toole (Eric Mabius), the group's leader is a man of faith who prayerfully approaches his work with the goal of making a difference in people's lives; new team member, Shane McInerney (Kristin Booth), a technophile who brings 21st century sensibility to the group; free-spirited, “girl next door” Rita Haywith (Crystal Lowe) who has a photographic memory; and lovable Norman Dorman (Geoff Gustafson), a master in conventional research methods.

The show aires SUNDAYS, 8/7c on Hallmark

This incredible series even incorporates scripture in its themes and in the conversations between characters.  In FACT, The American Bible Society has built a bible study to go with the series, 

Sign up for that here: http://www.americanbible.org/features/signed-sealed-delivered

Isn't that great? A seven-day Bible reading experience to dig deeper into the meaningful biblical themes revealed in each episode of Signed, Sealed, Delivered.

Website: http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/signedsealeddelivered

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/signedsealeddeliveredtv?ref=br_tf

Facebook for creator Martha Williamson: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Martha-Williamson/609169295802010

No More Dragons by Jim Burgen (Book Review)

I remember listening to The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by Focus on the Family's Radio Theatre and loving the part about Eustace being freed by Aslan. It's a terrible, beautiful, painful, wonderful way of drawing a picture of something we can all relate to: We either are dragons, are chasing dragons, being chased by dragons, or have been undragoned. According to Jim Burgen, "undragoned" is a word. And I get it. You will too, if you read this book.

In No More Dragons Jim Burgen, lead pastor of Flatirons Community Church in Boulder County, Colorado,  tells his story of being undragoned and offers hope to others who still need to be freed. He is very direct, even startling at times, and I was a little taken aback by some of his bluntness and choice of words, however, he deals with tough subjects like depression, lost faith, and church problems with a Biblical perspective and manages to relate to his readers in a real and personal way. The section of the book about the balance that must exist between Truth and Grace was phenomenal. So much of this book is quotable, but I do think that part is the best.

I love Jim Burgen's sense of humor and direct, keep-it-plain-and-simple style. I had only read this book for about five to ten minutes and I was laughing like crazy and saying, "Yes! I totally get it! That's hysterical!"

While I did not completely agree with everything in the book, I found it eye-opening and full of hope. I recommend it!

P.S. The awesome book cover may or may not have influenced my decision to review this book. ;)

Read more about No More Dragons here:

Book Description

Becoming a dragon is a dangerously subtle process.

You make a long chain of bad choices. The chain gradually wraps around you. Layer by layer, it begins to take on the aspect of scales. One day you glance at yourself in the mirror and a monster is staring back at you. You aren't who you used to be. You aren't who you want to be. You're not who you were created and designed to be. Instead, you're a dragon.

When Jim Burgen was nineteen years old, he realized how easy it had been to become a dragon. He knew he didn't want to be one anymore . . . but how? No More Dragons is the story of our common, hopeful journey from dragonhood back to personhood.

As Pastor Burgen narrates the remarkable process of reclaiming himself from himself, he implores modern church goers to shake off the trivialities of churchiness in favor of the substantive questions that make a spiritual transformation:

"Is Jesus the only one who can undragon people?"

"Why don't I like most churches?"

"Where is God in difficult times?"

"How do you shed decades of gnarly scales?"

Some choices will lead you to a better life. Some will kill you. Some choices will add a new layer of scales to your dragon, and some will slough them off. No More Dragons is about asking Christ to deliver you and learning how to obey him.

Thanks for reading!

Jessica

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Distortion, Book 2 in the Moonlighter Series by Terri Blackstock (Review)

Juliet Cole's husband is murdered in front of her. While dealing with shock and anger at his death, she must face the reality of his secret life while trying to pull her life back together. She is determined to find his killer and put an end to the threats to her family. Was Bob really that hypocritical? That good at lying? And what of his professed "faith"? Was that a lie, too?

Terri Blackstock's books are called "up all night fiction" for a reason. Her books are nearly impossible to put down, and Distortion proved that again. I was pulled into the story from the first page, and the book kept me on the edge of my proverbial seat throughout its entirety. With believable characters, a steady plot, and nonstop action, it's pure enjoyment. I have not read the first book in the series and, though parts of Distortion would have been a little more understandable if I had, it didn't make the book any less readable.

One thing I appreciate about Terri Blackstock's work is that she includes the Gospel and she does it in a way that is not cheesy or unbelievable. It doesn't detract from the story; it enhances it. It's not often that one can read a mystery and feel encouraged spiritually. That seems impossible to pull off, actually, but she does it.

In "A Note From the Author", she beautifully addressed something that is near and dear to my heart, and I felt like she was speaking directly to me. Read it...it will be special to you, too. There are some discussion questions in the back, which would be helpful for a book club or for personal use. 

I highly recommend this book!

More about the book:

Book Description

Juliet Cole’s life has been dismantled by the murder of her husband. She doesn't know who—or what—to trust when everything she has believed to be true about her marriage has been a lie. When Juliet Cole’s husband of fifteen years is gunned down in a dark parking lot before her eyes, she thinks it was a random shooting. Devastated and traumatized, she answers hours of questioning. When she’s finally allowed to return home to break the news to her boys, she hears a voicemail that takes the situation from a random shooting to a planned, deliberate attack. "Mrs. Cole, we know you have access to the supply and the money. If you don't turn fifty million over to us and give us the codes, then you'll be burying more family members."

Suddenly, Juliet realizes that she and her children could be in danger. She teams up with her sisters and PI Michael Hogan to dig into the sham Bob has been living for years. The more she learns, the worse the betrayal. A drug trafficking history, a fortune in cash, and a secret family all emerge to turn Juliet’s belief system on its head, and threaten the things she loves. Are she and her sisters skilled enough as sleuths to get to the truth?

Thanks for reading, 

Jessica

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Notes From a Blue Bike by Tsh Oxenreider (Book Review)

I must admit, I sorta chose this book for its cover. I also chose it because Tsh Oxenreider, I knew, is a firm believer in simple, more intentional living, and that appeals to me more than I can say! I, too, long for that type of life, and I hope to one day attain it. 

Notes From a Blue Bike is a book to be savored, not gulped in one reading. It feels as if you meander through Tsh's travels, catching glimpses of her intriguing life while she shares her realizations and ideas with you. While following along with the flow of the chapters was a little confusing, it didn't put me off.  Her suggestions on how to slow down and be more intentional are helpful and doable. I'm inspired! 

If you, too are tired of a frantic, hurried, blurring-by life, get a copy of this beautiful book, relax, read it, slow down, and enjoy!

Thanks for reading!
Jessica

The Marriage You've Always Wanted by Gary Chapman (Book Review & Giveaway)

If your marriage is perfect, peaceful, argument-free, and teddibly romantic, just leave. Leave now. You don't need this book.

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but my marriage is far from perfect. My dear husband and I do argue. (Heh...oh, yes, we do...and it's always his fault....) And...what exactly is romance again? 

Seriously, if you're married you have discovered that marriage is nothing like it's portrayed in books and movies. Nothing at all. Marriage isn't about 24/7 romance and the fulfillment of all your dreams. Marriage is about hard work, exhaustion, exasperation, frustration, togetherness, tender moments, fulfillment, sacrifices, bad breath, weight gain, pet peeves, tears, laughter, an empty bank account, and a mailbox stuffed with bills. And yes, it's about dreams come true, depending on what your dreams are. 

To read more and to enter the giveaway, click here.

Snapshot by Lis Weihl (Book Review)

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from BookSneeze for a review. All opinions are my own. 

A man has been in prison for 50 years for a crime he didn't commit. Who is Benjamin Gray's killer, and can Lisa Waldren and her father find out in time to save the accused man before his execution date? And can an old snapshot of two little girls, one black and one white, hold the answers? What does a locked cabinet and missing key have to do with it all, if anything?

Based partly on real people and actual events, Snapshot takes us back to the Civil Rights Movement and the underhanded, violent politics and tactics of that era. Lisa Waldren, the white girl in the photo, is now a federal prosecutor and has a complicated relationship with her father, a retired FBI agent and the man who took the photo all those years ago. She reluctantly agrees to help him find the real shooter and is immediately drawn into a web of danger, deciet, and coverups. Lisa's deep hurt over her father's apparent lack of concern and her struggle with reconciling with him is pretty close to home for me, and i'm sure, for many readers. As the story unfolds and motives and reasonings are described from the perspectives of both father and daughter everything begins to slowly come into focus.

The atrocities of that tumultuous time in our nation's not-so-distant past are brought into focus with painful clarity. Racism might not be as openly prevalent now, but we all know it's still here. It pains me to hear snide remarks and jokes made against people of another race, especially if those who make those comments call themselves Christians. Speaking of this, I would highly recommend that everyone listen to or read Ken Ham's book/message on "One Race". It revolutionized my thinking and opened my eyes to something I had never realized before. But I digress...

The book, though not as fast-paced as I thought it might be, has plenty of tense moments. Lis Wiehl's ability to be so "real" in her descriptions of every character and event make this story even more compelling. I found myself feeling deeply sympathetic of the accused shooter and his family and amazed at the subtle ways in which the author pulled on my heartstrings in this book.  Knowing that it was based on true events made everything more "real", of course, and made me want to do more research on that time in our history. 

In the back of the book there are some extras that I found informative and very interesting such as a note from the author (the real girl in the photo) providing insight into how and why the novel was written, an interview with her real-life, retired agent father, and essays by Juan Williams and Bill O'Reilly (a character in the book is patterned after him) as well as a Reading Group Guide.

One of the things I appreciated most about this book is that Lis Wiehl wrote an excellent mystery with completely believable characters and situations, a great plot, and plenty of action and she didn't find it necessary to use one cuss word, nor did she include anything vulgar, as so many mystery/thriller writers feel compelled to do. 

If you enjoy historical fiction with plenty of suspense and a dash of humor, give this book a read. I highly recommend it.