Dawn Comes Early: A Review

652 pages of fun are found in the book Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley. 

Kate Tenney thought that her novelist days were over.  This dime store novelist found herself rejected and marked as a “racy” author.  In order to start fresh, she headed West, in an answer to an “heiress wanted” ad. 

There was one tiny problem, actually two.  Kate was supposed to know how to run a ranch!  Additionally, should she be chosen as the future mistress of the working cattle ranch, Kate would never be allowed to marry!

Early on she discovers that this may pose a problem.  Enter Luke Adams, who always seems to come to her rescue.

Find out what happens to the owner of the ranch and Kate!  Be tickled with the fun ending!

Grab your copy of Dawn Comes Early in paperback or on your Kindle.  (Have I mentioned how much I am loving having a Kindle?)

I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review.  Thanks Book Sneeze!

First Date: A Review

 First Date, by Kirsta McGee, was a sweet book.  I “think” it is really a book for younger audience, though.  Try – a teenage.  However, I enjoyed this sweet vacation read.

Addy Davidson, self proclaimed book worm and honor student, is chosen to represent her school and Jesus, on a reality TV show.  Teen girls from across the country are sent to live near a mansion and vie for the President’s son’s affections.  Whoever wins the competition, will go to prom with the President’s son.

Addy makes a fool of herself, but redeems her actions and truly becomes a witness for the Lord as she reads her deceased mother’s journals.  Addy is challenged to stand up for her faith, just as her martyred parents did many years ago.

Buy the book or read it on Kindle to find out who went to prom!

Thanks Book Sneeze!  This book was delivered to June, my Kindle Fire, for free.  I was not paid for this post.

Max on Life: A Review

I read Max when I first came to know Jesus.  For a while I felt like I “knew” Max. 

Up until about 10 years ago, I read every single book he had written . . . in fact, I read them before he wrote them.

Just kidding. 

But something changed.  I changed.  My walk with the Lord changed.  Instead of powerful stories or topical sermons . . . I really wanted to understand the words in the Bible for myself.  I wanted to know what Jesus really meant . . . the full context of a powerful statement.

Or . . . the culture behind Paul’s message.

I really wanted to pedal my own bike, I suppose.  And the more grounded I became, taking the spiritual training wheels off of my Bible, the less I read of Max Lucado’s work.

Max was/is an excellent teacher – the “Strider” in my life. . . someone that I grew under as I drafted off of him. 

Don’t get me wrong.  Max Lucado is an excellent writer.  He paints a picture with words – a true talent and gift of the Lord.  But I wanted the inspired Words of God to paint my spiritual backdrop. 

I like a good book . . . this you well know if you read my blog regularly. 

However, when it comes to pumping air into the tires of my spiritual 29’er . . . give me Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… of my faith.  Give me my Bible.

That said . . . Max on Life is a book filled with questions from Max fans . . . someone like the Jodi of 10 years ago.  And those questions are answered by Max, the author.  Kind of like a call-in radio show… only in a book.

Most likely, I would not have bought the book.  But I would go to a bookstore on a date night and flip through the book looking for a soul stirring question to discuss with the Engineer. 

If you’re a Max fanatic . . . sprint . . . don’t roll to the store for this book.  But if you are a nominal fan and aren’t into books that are set up as a call-in radio show . . . don’t purchase the book.

Thank you Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read and review Max on Life.  I was not paid for this post and was encouraged to freely give my opinion.

The Final Summit: A Review

Completely unrealistic, but suppose the fate of the world lay in the creativity of your mind.  Could you solve all of the world’s problems in just two words? 

Two words. 

As world events seem to be heating up, I know that I am often reminded of Matthew 24: 5-7,

For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.  Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.   Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

I have an opinion as to who the world needs.

So, if I were asked what two words could save the world . . . I think I have the answer. 

But would I stake everything on those two words?

Yes. 

Join David Ponder (main character from The Traveler’s Gift) once again as he teams up with a rich supply of historical figures that have shaped our world’s chronicles.  Like a crossword puzzle Ponder must ask questions and gather clues (per the archangel Gabriel’s instruction) and come to a consensus on two words that, if correct, will save the world from sure destruction.  To help him, five seasoned “travelers” offer their opinions and Ponder consorts with an outspoken Winston Churchill to relay the final declaration.

Do I agree with their conclusion?

I think the final answer, the final declaration, is  missing a person. 

But don’t read that last line if you don’t want to know the ending. 

You see, Ponder et al. doesn’t mention Jesus as the solution to the world’s problems. 

Just sayin’.

Now, it may sound like I haven’t enjoyed the book.  Quiet the contrary. 

I have. 

I even underlined several fabulous quotes, which is unusual for me in a purely fictitious book. 

Nevertheless, I did highlight.  I have enjoyed.  Yes . . . it is a quality vacation novel . . . with significantly more depth than my normal “vacation” reads. 

(Note:  I did not go on vacation . . . I’m just mean that IF {and that’s a big IF} I went on a vacation, I would certainly read it.)

P.S.  Anyone want to send me on a vacation?  Can I bring my family too?

Special thanks to Thomas Nelson for sending me a copy for free to honestly give my opinion.  And no . . . I wasn’t paid.

“Big Red” Holy Bible: A Review

When I was in college my Bible professor was very particular about Bibles.  For our class, he gave us specific instructions on choosing a Bible.  For the most part, I agree with his specifications.  You want the Bible to invite you in.  It should readily stay open when you hold it in one had, like a tablecloth hangs over a table.  It needs to have a good binding.  Preferably, the cover should be leather.  The font must be easy to read, not too dark.  The smell – well, I added that one.  New Bibles even smell good. 

I find in myself a desire to collect Bibles. I’m not sure why, as I actually need to be giving them away more than I do. 

But you have to remember that I love books, especially Bibles.

So, I was anxious to see what this “Big Red” Holy Bible was all about.  It boasts of contemporary 3-D art.  I thought the boys would totally dig this Bible since they LOVED our review of THIS product.  However, I was sorely disappointed.  Not disappointed in God’s Word—certainly not.  Disappointed because the 3-D portion of this Bible is infrequent.  I was kind of expecting the Bible to resemble THIS product. 

Mr. Smackdown informed me that he just didn’t find the “red” Bible very interesting.  “But we could at least read it.”

To read it, you will find yourself using the International Children’s Bible translation.  Now, I’m a NASB girl and the Hottie likes NKJV, but I typically read NIV to the boys.  Talk about a diverse household.  Certainly, the ICB version is written at a very basic level, avoiding words such as “atonement.”  You could go into a deep discussion about whether it is good to change such meaningful words . . . but I’m not going there for this review. 

If you want an easy translation to read to your child, I like the the ICB Bible from Tommy Nelson.  But if you were planning on purchasing this Bible because of the graphics, I’d keep your money in your pocketbook.  The graphics are kind of cheesy, if not creepy, and you only get 16 of them spaced evenly throughout the Bible. 

I was not paid for this review, nor do I have to return the Bible to Tommy Nelson.  Thankfully, they encourage honest reviews of their products.