Bride Collector

Book Description from CBD.com:
He loves them because they are beautiful. He kills them because he loves them.

A virtuoso killer is carving a path of death across the west, intent on killing only the most beautiful women, all in the name of love. He has claimed six victims and slipped through the FBI’s fingers, each time leaving behind a hand written note and a bridal veil.

Full of surprising wit and hair-raising twists that will keep you riveted to the end, The Bride Collector will haunt you with a new way of looking at beauty, love and the world in which you live.

The main characters are Brad Raines, FBI special agent; Paradise, a woman with schizophrenia living in a psychiatric institute; and the killer, of course.  This was a good suspense novel with a unique plot and interesting characters. The Christian message was there (we are all God's favorite, but it could have been stronger.  There were times when non-believers, or even those new in the faith, could become confused with what is truth.  Overall, I liked this book and would recommend it to any suspense/mystery reader.  


Dekker will probably always be one of my favorites.  The Circle Trilogy is in my top five books of all time, and I am really looking forward to Forbidden, which he is writing with Tosca Lee (author of Havah and Demon: A Memoir) and is due out it September.

Petra

Book Description from CBD:
Young widow Cassia arrives in Petra seeking protection with her late husband's estranged family---only to discover the man she married was heir to the throne! When power-hungry Queen Hagiru immediately begins plotting to murder Cassia's son, will Cassia and a small band of believers be able to win the fierce spiritual battle that ensues? 320 pages, softcover from B&H.


For more information see my FIRST tour post.


I enjoyed this book.  It is an intense story of spiritual warfare, faith, and love.  Not knowing much about Petra, the descriptions of the city and historical detail were very interesting.  Cassia is a dedicated mother with a searching heart.  Julian is a man struggling to step out in faith.  I could relate to both of these main characters; they were well written and three dimensional.  The story was fast paced with a satisfying ending.  I will be passing this book around my family as I know they'll like it as well!

In Every Heartbeat by Kim Vogel Sawyer

In Every Heartbeat is a book about relationships and change.  Libby, Petey, and Bennett go to college together, leaving the orphanage home where they were raised together.  As each follows his/her own dream, they grow in who they are; however it drastically changes their friendships.  Set against the backdrop of World War I, the historical aspects of the novel add to the story.
I enjoyed this book.  It explores one character's search and discovery of God's peace that truly passes understanding.  It gives a clear Biblical message.  The characters are three-dimensional, and each one changes as their lives change.  The relationships and feelings are real and easy to relate.  It is a nice and easy read that I would recommend!

The Boy Who Changed the World

Did you know that what you do today can change the world forever?  

The Boy Who Changed the World opens with a young Norman Borlaug playing in his family’s cornfields with his sisters. One day, Norman would grow up and use his knowledge of agriculture to save the lives of two billion people. Two billion! Norman changed the world! Or was it Henry Wallace who changed the world? Or maybe it was George Washington Carver?  

This engaging story reveals the incredible truth that everything we do matters! Based on The Butterfly Effect, Andy’s timeless tale shows children that even the smallest of our actions can affect all of humanity. The book is beautifully illustrated and shares the stories of Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug, Vice President Henry Wallace, Inventor George Washington Carver, and Farmer Moses Carver. Through the stories of each, a different butterfly will appear. The book will end with a flourish of butterflies and a charge to the child that they, too, can be the boy or girl who changes the world.

I received this in E-book format and read it to my children.  They enjoyed it, although they are a little young to understand the full meaning.  I, personally, loved the message that we all can make a difference.  Little decisions, small actions, and even young children can and do touch lives everyday!  Nice story, nice illustrations and an important theme!  4+ stars!

Unlocked

Karen Kingsbury and a story about a young man with autism is not something that I could refuse. She is arguably one of the most well known authors in Christian fiction, and I have a heart for special needs like autism! I really liked Unlocked! It was a beautiful story with a strong message. Although the story is an easy read and quite predictable, a lot happens, and even the negative events teach hope.  There is hope in Christ, no matter what we face...Amen!  The book focuses on Holden Harris, an 18 year old high school senior with autism and the people in his life.  We see his parents and the added struggle they have raising a child with special needs.  There are classmates, some who reach out to Holden, some who pick on him, and most who just ignore him.  One classmate, Ella Reynolds, takes an interest in Holden and starts fighting for him.  Between her and Holden's mother's prayers, he starts to progress.  It is important to remember that with Christ All things Are Possible, but His ways are greater than ours--so while we may not understand why, not every child with autism will have a turn around like Holden demonstrated in this book.  God will, however, use every individual with special needs for His purposes, especially through faith and prayer!!
Years ago, God gave me a heart and a vision for special needs ministry.  I would love to hear from readers who are involved with this type of ministry or who would like to see more done for this population!  Thanks for your thoughts!

Love's First Bloom

by: Delia Parr
Amazon's Product Description:
Ruth Livingstone's life changes drastically the day her father puts a young child in her arms and sends her to a small village in New Jersey under an assumed name. There Ruth pretends to be a widow and quietly secludes herself until her father is acquitted of a crime. But with the emergence of the penny press, the imagination of the reading public is stirred, and her father's trial stands center stage. Asher Tripp is the brash newspaperman who determines that this case is the event he can use to redeem himself as a journalist. Ruth finds solace tending a garden along the banks of the Toms River--a place where she can find a measure of peace in the midst of the sorrow that continues to build. It is also here that Asher Tripp finds a temporary residence, all in an attempt to discover if the lovely creature known as Widow Malloy is truly Ruth Livingstone, the woman every newspaper has been looking for. Love begins to slowly bloom...but is the affection they share strong enough to withstand the secrets that separate them?

My Thoughts:
Keeping in mind that it has been 4 months since I read this, my review will be somewhat brief.  This was a quick read.  I especially enjoyed the personal discovery and growth of the main character, Ruth.  The story included both mystery and romance with a surprising twist at the end.  I have passed the book on to family and know that others will enjoy it as well.

Books read in 2010

1. Michal by Jill Eileen Smith

2. Against All Odds by Irene Hannon

3. Take One by Karen Kingsbury

4. Ghostwriter by Travis Thrasher

5. Ruby's Slippers by Leanna Ellis

6. June Bug by Chris Fabry

7. Inheritance by Tamera Alexander

8. Veiled Freedom by J.M. Windle

9. Love Finds you in Liberty, Indiana

by Melanie Dobson

10. Things Worth Remembering

by Jackina Stark

11. Seeing Things by Patti Hill

12. A Flickering Light by Jane Kirkpatrick

13. Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish

14. Love's First Light by Jamie Carie

15. A Gift of Grace by Amy Clipston

16. Love's Pursuit by Siri Mitchell

17. The Secret by Beverly Lewis

18. Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God by Sheila Walsh

19. Her Inheritance Forever by Lyn Cote

20. Gladiator by Carla Capshaw

21. Lone Star Blessings by Bonnie Winn

22. Hunter's Moon by Don Hoesel

23. Love is a Four-Legged Word by Kandy Shepherd

24. Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand

25. Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate

26. An Eye for An Eye by Irene Hannon

27. In Harm's Way by Irene Hannon

28. Not a Sparrow Falls by Linda Nichols

29. Allon by Shawn Lamb

30. Genoa Bay by Bette Nordberg

31. Unwilling Warrior by Andrea Boeshaar

32. Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann

33. This Fine Life by Eva Marie Everson

34. The Last Christian by David Gregory

35. The Six-Liter Club by Harry Kraus

36. The Tailor Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer

37. Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers

38. Missing Max by Karen Young

39. Shades of Morning by Marlo Schalesky

40. David and Goliath by Bryan Hathaway: Pt 1, Pt 2, Pt 3

41. The Faith Dare by Debbie Alsdorf

42. The Rook by Steven James

43. The Knight by Steven James

44. Final Touch by Brandilyn and Amberly Collins

45. The Bishop by Steven James

46. Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson

47-51. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

52. Someone to Blame by C.S. Lakin

53. Judgement Day by Wanda Dyson

54. A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman

55. The House on Malcolm Street by Leisha Kelly

56. Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner

57. She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell

58. Love's First Bloom by Delia Parr

59. Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer

60. Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury

61. The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris

62. The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fischer

63. In Every Heartbeat by Kim Vogel Sawyer

64. The Boy who Changed the World by Andy Andrews

65. Petra: A City of Stone by T.L. Higley

66. Bride Collector by Ted Dekker

67. City of Tranquil Light by

68. Plain Jayne by Hilary Manton Lodge

69. More than just a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa Terkeurst

70. The Pirate Queen by Patricia Hickman
71. Blood Ransom by Lisa Harris
72. The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews

Possibly to be continued...

January update!

This is just to explain the major absence in posts lately. I am now a little over 6 months pregnant! The first 4 months were a little difficult. I was pretty sick and exhausted. Then came the holidays, and I still feel like I haven't caught up!! I have many reviews I need to post, and hopefully they will come in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, I'll be cleaning out the nursery and digging out baby clothes to wash and prepare for our new addition!