Monday, August 31, 2015

The Paranormal Conspiracy by Timothy Dailey


"The Paranormal Conspiracy" by Timothy Dailey is a book that says it tells the truth about paranormal things.  I am so glad I did not buy this book and that I got it for a review as it was the most boring book I have read in a very long time.  Ugh I don't even know where to start on why this book was boring.  It was wrote like it was a technical essay which if you like that style good for you but I don't.  They way he presented information was very odd and I am just not sure why some of his info seemed very stretched in other words to make a chapter to be longer than it needed to be.  The only part that I really got a kick out of was when he talked about Bigfoot as someone who lives in the Pacific Northwest we hear about Bigfoot a lot.  So that portion I really did enjoy while the rest of the book I wanted to go watch paint dry instead of reading it.  Sorry not my cup of tea at all.

I was given this book from Chosen a division of Baker Publishing Group for my honest review.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Not By Sight by Kate Breslin


"Not By Sight" by Kate Breslin is a about Grace Mabry a wealthy suffragette and Jack Benningham a Earl's son all taking place in 1917 during World War I.  Grace give Jack a white feather of cowardice at event not realizing that small event will change both of their lives forever.  This is a romance novel however it is also a mystery novel as we find that danger and betrayal are behind the scenes besides the romance portion.  There is not that many books out there that take place during World War I so this one intrigued me.  I was very glad to have picked the story of Grace and Jack as it turns out to be a story that is about not judging a book by its cover.  Their story and others in the story are such a wonderful and fast pace writing that left me not wanting to put down the book.  The characters are really well described and developed.  It was such a well written book that I could see the story in mind very clearly.   If you are a fan of Downton Abbey then I think you will enjoy this book  as it takes place in the same time of era that season 2 did.  I really want to read more of this author's writing she very talent and really takes her history in books seriously.  I highly recommend this book.

I was given this book from Bethany House for my honest review and was not required to give a positive review.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

People Idol rant

A possible toe stepping or sacred cow killing post.   Please enjoy my spacer photo of the I Love Lucy puzzle my family was working on until we discovered the table we were using was too small for it.















Still here well you can't say you were not warned.


I normally don't put posts about things that are in the news but a couple lately have been driving me nuts. 
 First why as Christian are we surprised when someone who has put themselves out in public as the perfect Christian person/family has cracks and sin in them.  Yes I am referring to the Duggar controversy. No family is perfect every family will have cracks in them not a one is perfect.  I used to watch them but a couple years ago I got really tired of you must be like us attitude and that our way is the perfect example for Christian families.  Well I am sorry I look to the scriptures for examples and not a one family we read in scripture was perfect (not even Jesus's family lineage remember Rahab was a prostitute and she is in his lineage). We need to stop putting people or families on a pedestal on how we should live and look to Christ not man as man will fail us  I will be praying for that family like I would for any of the families that will be touched by the particular website's hack (no I will not give anymore credence to a filthy sinful website that has been used by people to sin against God and their spouses). 

Second politics yes the other item that can be part of Christian society idols.  You know what I am a conservative but not a republican (I am an independent).  I get so sick of the attitude if you are a Christian conservative you must be a Republican and vote for anyone who says they are a Christian.  Baloney I will vote my conscience not by party line.  Also I will not vote for a certain people just cause they say they are a Christian. Not everyone who says they are a Christian is one.   I mean really even the demons know who God is (James 2:19 "You believe that God is one; you do well.  Even the demons believe - and shudder!"),  Also  remember what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23 " Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’.  We are supposed to check what people say to the word of God.  So don't tell me who as a Christian I should vote for or what party I should vote for.

So what is my point?  My point is we need to stop grabbing for straws when we hear oh so and so is a Christian. So what, we need to put our eyes and focus on Christ not people that might be just saying they are a Christian to get votes or some other type of power. Stop with the making idols out of people and then get upset when our "heroes" are sinful people.  Paul in the scriptures even called himself the chief of sinners (I Timothy 1:15 "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.") But also remember this verse I John 1:9-10 " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and his word is not in us."

Thank you had to get this rant of my chest.

The First Family Detail by Ronald Kessler

"The First Family Detail" by Ronald Kessler is stories from the secret service on behind the scenes of their protecting the first families.  I will warn you right from the start this book gets graphic which is why I am calling it a toss up book.   I did very much enjoyed to variety of stories of different presidents, vice-presidents, and their families from Johnson all the way to the Obama's.  However the sexual details of one president and I am not talking Clinton but Lyndon B. Johnson was tabloid level gross.   Some of Clinton's information was that level but not as bad as Johnson.  That portion is the part that I did not enjoy at all.  I will admit at first I was wondering if this was going to be one sided on the political party side well it was slightly.  But the author did equally talk bad about democrat or republican families equally.  Now with presidents on the other hand he did lean more positive on the republican party side.  I am neither a republican or a democrat so I would had preferred a little less noticeable one-sided attitude with some of the presidents.  A good part of this book was good and interesting information on behind the scenes with the secret service but the other part was just tabloid fodder type information.  So I cannot recommend or not recommend this book as for me like I said before it was a toss up part good part tabloid.

I was given this book from blogging for books for my honest review and was not required to give a positive review.

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic: Lessons in Everyday Elegance by Jennifer L. Scott

"Polish you Poise with Madame Chic" by Jennifer L. Scott is a book about regaining poise (graceful and elegant bearing in a person)  in your everyday life. I found this author from who YouTube channel  "the daily connoisseur" and was interested in reading one of her books as she is very relatable.  I chose this one to read first and it was well worth my time.  My style and life is different than the authors but I do love how she wants the reader to be confident with themselves but not stuck up. She really helped me to remember to stand up straight, that nothing is wrong with looking my best everyday and to keep learning.  It is a quick read well at least for me but I thoroughly enjoyed it and now want to go read more of her books she has wrote.  I highly recommend this book.

I was given this advanced reader copy from Net Galley for my honest review and was not required to give a positive review.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin


"Through Waters Deep" by Sarah Sundin is a romance mystery that takes place pre World War II.  From high school friends Mary Stirling who is a Navy secretary and Jim Avery a naval officer who fall in love as they try to figure out who is sabotaging the new destroyer the USS Atwood.  Normally I can't stand romance novels but this one was not as heavy romance as I thought it was going to be.  The author did very good job putting details of history that most people don't realize about the history specifically about how Germans were treated on the East Coast.  The history and some of the side stories is what I really enjoyed about this book and truthfully even some of the romance portion wasn't too bad. I really enjoyed the character of Mary, she was a really developed character.  All the character's in this book we very well developed.  This author is a very talented story teller and I would like to read more of her books.  I highly recommend this book its a really good historical fiction novel.

I was given this book from Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group for my honest review and was not required to give a positive review.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Drawing Fire by Janice Cantore


"Drawing Fire" by Janice Cantore is the first in a series called Cold Case Justice.  This one is about a police officer Abby Hart investigating a possible serial killer who might be connected to the murder of her parents that happened when she was a small child. I like a good mystery and this one was a good mystery.  The story was not all over the place like some mysteries can be.  It was a very well done and believable story.  It was a faced pace book but not so fast paced that it you get lost.  This was a very well written book and would not mind reading the next book.  Also most of the mystery is taken care of in this book so I am not sure what the next book will bring.  Yes I am being very vague on the book as I don't want to give away any of the story, I want you to read it for yourself.  I do recommend this book for anyone you likes a good mystery.

I was given this book from Tyndale Publisher for my honest review and was not required to give a positive review.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

All About Spelling Curriculum


 All About Spelling  is a wonderful homeschooling curriculum that I am happy to say that I have decided to sign up for their affiliate program. I would not being doing this if I did not love this program.  It has not only helped my youngest to learn spelling better but it also helps me and my husband.  Spelling has always been a weakness of mine and it is improving thanks to this curriculum which uses phonics to teach spelling.  It is not a workbook based curriculum that just gives you spelling words but a way to learn spelling by sound.  It is very good for children that don't just learn by hearing but also touch and listening.   If you are ordering use my link All About Spelling.  Thanks!

Keep Moving: And Other Tips About Old Age by Dick Van Dyke

"Keep Moving" by Dick Van Dyke is a book of tips and truths about aging.  I know I am not that old being in my late 30's well that is not being that old to any in their 30's and above but I still wanted to read this book.  I am big fan of Dick Van Dyke he has been one my favorite actors for years so I wanted to read this on his tips aging since he seems to be so young acting at the age of 89.  This book was not just tips but also stories from his life.  Two of his biggest tips are keep moving and don't stress so much people stress too much today over the smallest things.  I learned more about the actor himself besides just tips.  I really love is attitude on age is how you feel (well not always physically) not how you act like.  No he is not saying act like you are 12 but to be your self and not what society thinks someone your age should act.  I highly recommend this book.

I was given this book from Net Galley and Weinstein books for my honest review and was not required to give a positive review.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon

"Hope Harbor" by Irene Hannon is about Michael Hunter and Tracy Campbell both hurting from loss but learning about each other in Hope Harbor on the Oregon Coast.  Yes I know I am not known for picking a book that is an obvious romance based story but any story dealing with the Oregon Coast calls to me.  I am familiar with the area the author made her fake town in but the towns around it that she mentions around it are real.  The author really captured the area and some of the peoples attitudes.  The story was really good also.  Yes it was romance but not the over extreme love dovey type I hate.  There were a couple side stories in the book that were very good.  To me the main point of the book was not romance but forgiveness of others and of your own decisions that may have affected others.  One other thing I really did appreciate the author bring about the Oregon Coast was the affliction called S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) which is very real and in that area it can be very overcast or rainy most of the year but still a beautiful area.  This is rarely talked about and I was glad an author brought it up in this novel.  Do visit it if you every get a chance.  This was a very good book and I do recommend it.

I was given this book from Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group for my honest review.

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Let's Pretend We're Normal by Tricia Lott Williford

"Let's Pretend We're Normal" by Tricia Lott Williford is a powerful memoir on her life after the unexpected death of her husband.  I was very impressed by how honest the author was with her feelings and what happened in her life after her husband's death.  This book is very helpful to see how a young widow with two children feels and the issues that can come up from being a young widow. This would be a very comforting book for any young widow especially one with children to know that they are not alone.  I am not a young widow but it helped me to understand the feelings that a woman in that situation could be feeling. I wanted to cry for her boys and how much she share of even their feelings of going with life after their dad died.  It was very powerful when she said one of her boys wanted her to have a new husband so she would stop crying.  This was a very powerful book and I highly recommend it.

I was given this book from Blogging for Books and was not required to give a positive review.

Thoughts on my hubby

27 years ago was the summer before my senior year in high school and I went for a walk that would change my life forever.  I just wanted to ...