I am Second by Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett

This is truly an amazing collection of stories, of people going through intense personal pain and life struggles, and how Jesus showed up in each and every one's life to help them discover His plans and purposes for their lives. I was captivated by every story, some were celebrities that I recognized and some were not. EVERY story was short, to the point, and POWERFUL! This is one of the best books I have read recently. You must read this book, it is awesome!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 :
"GuidesConcerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Mystery in Dark Island by T.A. Smith

Being a female (and an adult) I was a little apprehensive about reading and reviewing a novel geared toward boys. But, to my great surprise, I was overall pleased with this book and had no problem reading it, and getting into the story. This series is touted as (Christian) action-adventure, which in my personal opinion is a genre very much needed for boys. There are truly not alot of action-adventure books for boys that are (in my opinion) interesting, well-written, and clean (morally). This book accomplishes all of these things, and leaves the reader hungry for the next novel. From a Christian perspective, this book inserts spiritual thoughts and questions that Nic (the main character) deals with, without becoming overwhelming, tedious, or preachy. The plot is interesting, with Nic becoming stranded on an island that seems stuck in the past, with some interesting characters and a suspenseful story line. The main character is relatable (although from an adult's perspective I wanted a fully developed character and way more background information than was presented - but there is just enough information for a child) and I personally (as a parent) loved that moral, and character issues were addressed just enough as to not overwhelm the reader with an underlying message. You should for sure buy this book for your child/pre-teen, as it will surely get him excited about reading. I received this book from the publisher. 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 :
"GuidesConcerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Small Space Organizing by Kathryn Bechen

Small space organizing, a room-by-room guide to Maximizing Your Space is a wonderful tool to help you get on track and stay on track with managing your stuff in your small or smaller than usual living space. Kathryn immediately makes you feel comfortable in your small space environment by assuring the reader that small living can really be comfortable living. Each chapter is organizing by room, and amazing organizing and de-cluttering tips are explained. I especially liked that the author has a list of resources at the end of every chapter pertaining to that specific chapter and gives website addresses so the reader can quickly and easily access extra organizing tools to purchase. I have a larger home, and by the time I was finished this, I wanted to live in a smaller one, or even trade in for an RV! She has some very good arguments for the benefits of small space living, and she also offers dialouge in the back of the book for conversations regarding small space living. I ablsolutely loved her quote from William Morris that says, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful". This is the premise and theme of this wonderful book. If you are considering downsizing, are overwhelmed with getting organized and need some serious direction with tools, or have to downsize a family member, this is the book for you! I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this inaccordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "GuidesConcerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".

7 Money Rules for Life by Mary Hunt

How to take control of your financial future is the subtitle of this very informative book on how to financially wise. The author, Mary Hunt, speaks with authority on the matter because she was in debt of over $100,000 - and managed to pay it all off in 13 years. Mary speaks from the heart about the bondage and vicious cycle of consumer debt, and details 7 proven rules regarding finances and financial prosperity and financial stewardship. Topics such as spend less than you earn and save for the future seem simplistic, yet so many people are not not even following these basic principles. The book is easy to follow, interesting to read, and applicable to daily financial goals and situations. I learned a few things, and was especially interested in her research on telling your money where to go, and was really excited about a suggestion about an online only money market account that I discovered pays WAY more interest than our local banks. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be a better money manager, and/or someone who needs a compass to dig themselves out of consumer debt and bad habits. I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positivereview. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this inaccordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "GuidesConcerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".

Heart of Ice by Lis Wiehl

This is a fiction suspense/thriller novel, book number three in a series called "The Triple Threat Club". I have not read a fictional suspense crime novel in such a long time and am so happy that I picked this one up, it was SO GOOD! The story is based in Portland, Oregon, and centers around a sociopath female killer (Sissy, aka Elizabeth) and the Triple Threat Club members (all female): a newscaster, an FBI agent, and a prosecutor. Elizabeth doesn't let anyone stand in the way of her goals and aspirations, and is malicious to the extreme of murder to maintain her lifestyle. Elizabeth's life becomes enter twined with that of the women of the triple threat club as she spins her web and entices the reporter to be her best friend, all the while committing and masterminding crimes that the FBI agent is investigating. Although there are Christian undertones, I would not characterize this as a Christian novel, and the book has very mature and graphic topics. I personally loved this book and thought that the author did a great job keeping me totally captivated and would recommend that if you like crime or suspense novels to read this book. I received this book from the publisher. 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 : "Guides
Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

This thing of ours by Cammy Franzese

How faith saved my mafia marriage... the subtitle automatically catches your interest, doesn't it? I literally could not put this book down, it was so interesting. I honestly could not believe that the author was so naive as to not see that the man she was having a whirlwind romance with (Michael Franzese - with whom would become her future husband) was tied to organized crime, despite many hints and obvious red flags. I suppose Cammy was too young and inexperienced to have the wisdom to discern she was marrying a mobster, and the book attests to this. The story is in essence the consequences that she had to live with by marrying someone attached to the mob, how she fell in love, lost him to the prison system, and had to raise their children by herself. The wonderful redemptive part of her story is that her husband eventually came to know the Lord, and she (the author) learned to fully and completely rely on God for everything - with eventually getting to life the latter part of their lives together. I really liked the book and loved how Cammy kept telling the reader that she made the choice (although unintelligent) to marry her husband, and because of her choice, she had to live with the consequences. Although there are no interesting facts about the mob or any organized crime stories relating to her or her husband, I think it's a great and interesting read, especially for those who have made poor relationship choices and would like to hear of a redemptive story. I received this book from the publisher. 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 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Awakening by Stovall Weems

Awakening: A New Approach to Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Freedom by Stovall Weems is a book about the power of fasting, and is in essence a 21 day guide to revolutionize your relationship with God. The author speaks to the reader on how to get your spirit on fire for God (again) and how to get the zeal and craving for God back (if you have lost it). Stovall speaks on the power of prayer alongside of fasting, and how to ignite a passion in your walk by becoming in alignment with God. I loved his statement in the book about how "this will be your best year ever - if it is your best year spiritually", and he teaches the reader how to do this by the act of fasting and praying. In the back of the book, the author outlines 21 days of devotionals and tips on fasting during those days. Overall, I felt like the book had the right idea, but I really wanted more substance, i.e. amazing stories (to his credit the author does have true life testimonials that are sweet but basic) that would just bowl me over.. but didn't. The best part of the book was the part at the end that gives the reader devotionals and tips for fasting for a 21 day period. These devotionals are thought provoking and true to the theme in the book of drawing the reader closer to God. This would be a great book for a new Christian or someone who wants to learn about fasting and how to fast in a practical way. Seasoned Christians may find the book a little boring - but it definitely can be used as a teaching and learning tool as there is also a small group learning guide in the back of the book. I received this book from the publisher. 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 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.