REVIEW: LOOKING FOR GOD IN HARRY POTTER

Looking for God in Harry Potter by John Granger

I've always been okay with the Harry Potter movies ... my kids like them, and I didn't find them bad. But I did wonder about the spells and witches/wizards.

An online friend recommended this book to me, and I'm grateful. It really changed my mind! Now I'm a believer that the Harry Potter books are just fine for my kids to read! And, I'm amazed at all of the imagery that Ms. Rowling has used! She's "hidden" so many things within the pages of her books! Wow! She makes me hope that some day I can write even partially as well as she does!

Highly recommended, especially if you're skeptical about the HP series!

REVIEW: NAKED FRUIT

Naked Fruit by Elisa Morgan

This book talks of the "Fruit of the Spirit" found in the Bible (Galatians 5:22, 23), and about how to make these "fruits" more evident in our lives.

The most important thing I learned from this book was: it is GOD'S JOB ~ not mine ~ to produce these fruits in my life. My job is to let Him!!! I have to cooperate with Him, giving Him permission (asking him daily) and to just let Him do His job.

Recommended.

REVIEW: SAVANNAH FROM SAVANNAH

Savannah from Savannah by Denise Hildreth

From the very first sentence, all the way to the last word, I couldn't put this book down! The writing was humorous, and the characters really seemed to come alive. When I finished the book, I missed them!
As it turns out, there is a sequel called "SAVANNAH COMES UNDONE". I *must* read that book!

"Savannah From Savannah" is one I HIGHLY recommend! :o)

REVIEW: THE BARBARIAN WAY: Unleash the Untamed Faith Within

The Barbarian Way by Erwin Raphael McManus

WOW! What an awesome, truthful book! I read it in one day!

Mr. McManus tells of how so many believing Christians aren't really "believers"; of how Christianity has been "domesticated and civilized" to the point where it's almost fake.

He encourages us to get back to the "ancient, primal, and dangerous faith of Jesus and His early disciples ... to let go of a sanitized Christianity and get back to the powerful, raw, and ancient faith that chooses revolution over compromise, peril over safety, and passion over lukewarm and watered-down religion." [from the inside front cover]

AWESOME! HIGHLY recommended!

REVIEW: A GLIMPSE OF JESUS: The Stranger to Self-Hatred

A Glimpse of Jesus by Brennan Manning

Brennan Manning paints a picture of a whole different life ~ a life every Christian should aspire to: a life modelled after Jesus.

By casting off our cares about what others think of us and our actions, by having genuine compassion for all, and by loving ourselves as God loves us, we can become "other Christs."

A small book, but filled with powerful insights! Recommended.

REVIEW: THE SCANDAL OF THE EVANGELICAL CONSCIENCE: Why Are Christians Living Just Like the Rest of the World?

Scandal Of The Evangelical Conscience by Ronald J. Sider

There were many parts of this book that I disagreed with. But, other
parts I found myself nodding my head at.
This book asks, "Why are Christians living just like the rest of the
world?" and then goes on to try to answer that question. It also tries to
offer solutions to what could be done about the problem.
I think this book went over my head, and that is perhaps why I didn't
enjoy it more. :-?

REVIEW: LADY FRANKLIN'S REVENGE

“LADY FRANKLIN’S REVENGE” by Ken McGoogan

LADY FRANKLIN'S REVENGE is an amazing biography that details the life of Lady Jane Franklin -- an unconventional woman who lived in very conventional Victorian England! She loved science and exploration, and -- because of her unconventional ways -- she met many influential people (she even had a thing for Peter Mark Roget, the creator of "Roget's Thesaurus"!)

I loved Lady Jane for following her dreams even when doing so wasn't socially acceptable. But I despised her for feeling superior to so many around her. She was a woman who did as she pleased, and often persuaded others to do as she pleased, too!

This well-written, engaging tale makes you feel as if you've travelled back in time. It may be a biography, but it's written like a novel, and as such, it was truly a great read. Recommended!

REVIEW: A BRIDE MOST BEGRUDGING

A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist

This book was right up my alley! For one thing, I love a good love-story, especially when there is a lot of tension. ;-P Second, I ADORE novels that deal with anything regarding England!

Lady Constance Caroline Morrow sneaks aboard a prison ship bound for America to say goodbye to her Uncle Skelly. She is discovered by the captain, kidnapped by him, and then taken to America. She is then purchased from the ship full of "tobacco brides" by Drew O'Connor.
Though Drew isn't looking for a wife, the colony's governor gets word that the Lady is living with Drew, and he forces the two to marry anyway. Drew must then deal with the fact that Lady Constance is a "rare breed" -- she is trained in the maths and sciences, loves solving puzzles, and doesn't know how to cook or garden!
Over time, the two come to appreciate one another better, and they realize that life really isn't up to them ... God holds it all in the palm of His hand! :o)

Excellent story! Very well-written. I'd HIGHLY recommend this! :o)

My rating: A (excellent - hard to put down!)

REVIEW: THE MONSTERS OF GRAMERCY PARK

THE MONSTERS OF GRAMERCY PARK by Danny Leigh

Led by a dream she's had, Lizbeth Greene stumbles upon knowledge of prison inmate, Wilson Velez -- former head of a gang known as the Sacred Incan Royals. Even before meeting Wilson, Lizbeth knows she was destined to write his story.
At times chilling, and at times not, THE MONSTERS OF GRAMERCY PARK had me wondering what would come next. I loved how the author made Wilson Velez switch between English & Spanish in his dialogues (books that do this help people learn a second language, in a way, and I think that's awesome!).
Descriptions of the prison system were very detailed. I'm sure Mr. Leigh visited a prison in research for writing this book (which is funny, as his character, Lizbeth, does the same in her research for *her* book!)
A great look at the life of gangs, and life inside a penitentiary. Very interesting.