Between The Lines

Night of the Living Dead Christian

2012-01-23T13:47:00.000-08:00

I'm not a huge sci-fi reader/watcher, but I do enjoy a good fantasy. So when I read the words of praise for this book, comparing Matt Mikalatos to C.S. Lewis, I was intrigued and ready to dig in. It turns out, that he's not quite C.S. Lewis, but he's not all bad, either.

"Night of the Living Dead Christian" by Matt Mikalatos is a fictional novel with spiritual truths weaved throughout. Mikalatos uses various monsters to portray humans of various spiritual levels. At times, the truths he reveals are convicting and challenging. And often throughout the book, the author is very humorous--laugh out loud funny, actually (this really kept me going through the book as otherwise, my interest would have certainly dwindled!

If you're looking for the next C.S. Lewis, this is not him. But if you enjoy a little sci-fi/fantasy, you will likely enjoy this book anyway!

Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for providing a complimentary copy to me for purpose of review!

Healing Is a Choice: 10 Decisions That Will Transform Your Life and 10 Lies That Can Prevent You From Making Them

2012-01-23T13:35:00.000-08:00

Wow, over 400 pages! That was my first thought when I opened the package and saw the book inside. I layed the book on my nightstand and walked away without cracking the cover. Then, a couple of nights later I picked the book up and flipped through it. It was amazing.
Steve Arterburn has found a way to combine a great self-help book with a journal/study guide.

The purpose of this book is to help individuals heal from events in the past that have left them wounded no matter how big or small they may seem to others. It guides the reader through stories of others having similar experiences and allows the reader to reflect on what they have read and relate it to their personal experiences. The book relates each and every step to a Bible verse and all are very relevant and uplifting.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good dose of spiritual healing. Be ready to dive in deep and find the answers you have been looking for.

God's Love Letters to You: A 40-Day Devotional Experience by Dr. Larry Crabb

2011-07-07T17:39:00.000-07:00

This book was very well written and inspiring. It's basically a 40-day devotional jam-packed with beautiful love-letters from an amazing Kind of kings! I love the way this book is written and arranged. The lessons provided for each day are short, but deep. Each lesson also has a few questions to help you think about what the lesson is telling you and a prayer to match the lesson.

Crabb's book reminded me of one of the aspects of God I frequently forget--his unshakeable love for us. Each love letter in this book helps you strengthen your relationship with GOD by his words. The most touching in the book to me is when GOD writes that he has a plan for everyone. When things fall apart and not to be going as planned, it's all apart of GOD's greater plan for you. It reminds us all to stay strong because things will get better. The Love letters ARE so powerful. One thing I wish I would have done before reading this book is to read 66 Love Letters because each of the short passages is taken from those love letters in that book. Otherwise, the book was fabulous and really got me thinking and reflecting on my life and my relationships.

Book, compliment of BookSneeze

Verde by Ted Dekker

2011-06-11T04:28:00.000-07:00

I have heard that this book (while in Spanish) is not quiet as good at the first two books: Red and White. Based on other reviews, it was said that the book had a "heightened level of sexuality and violence depicted in Green as compared with the other books....the blood letting was unnecessarily gory....sensual descriptions inappropriate for a story that's supposed to be a Christian allegory."

Oooh, that's no good. Obviously this is a good thing I managed to get this book in Spanish! I tried to read the book regardless of the language barrier, but it was no use. I got tired and board easily. (Probably because I was trying to translate at the same time.) No use!

So, all-in-all, I cannot give an appropriate review on this book because I have not read it first hand. However, I would recommend this: if you don't know Spanish, don't get a book translated to Spanish!

*Book was provided by BookSneeze

Deadly Ties by Vicki Hinze

2011-06-03T18:55:00.000-07:00

I had a hard time believing these characters...There is the married man who pays someone to beat and kill his wife and then worries that she might be dead. Relieved when she's not - he worries that she might be a vegetable - like he would look after her anyway. Given the author, publisher and whatnot I expected some spiritual themes, but these were a little sappy. As in "Who could love someone as terrible as I am?"

Maybe this was just another one of those weak female characters that I've had enough of lately. The mom in the book ( the above referenced victim) has married an abusive husband who has alienated her daughter and friends. She has tons of money and a house. What am I missing here? Leave or kick him to the curb. At least there wasn't a lot of whining.

There was a lot of background set up for the characters, but in the end I thought it was a bit of a cop out. Death by explosion and the hero barely escapes. Not really a book to spend your time on here. I think I'm headed back to the juvenile fiction - I guess that's just my mentality - because I really enjoy it there.

P.S. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Where Hearts Are Free by Golden Keyes Parsons

2011-01-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

The odds are stacked against Bridget and Philippe reuniting. But God has a plan for them if they'll only believe.
It’s 1687, in the burgeoning town of Philadelphia, and for seven years, Bridget Barrington has watched with growing affection as Philippe Clavell worked as an indentured servant for her father, a wealthy landowner.
Her father rejects her request for Philippe to be a potential suitor as he has none of the qualities Mr. Barrington hoped for his daughter's future husband, the least of which is a respectable income.
Heartbroken, Bridget accedes to her parents’ wishes and gets engaged to a man she does not love. However, Bridget's husband-to-be does not love her, but only her wealth.
But there's always light in the midst of darkness for those who have faith. This stunning historical romance concludes the gripping Darkness to Light series.

What a fabulous conclusion to this wonderful series! This book is written so that you could read it as a stand-alone novel if you haven't read the first two books, but I would encourage you to read them all. They are definitely worth it! I have read and enjoyed this whole series so it was really nice to be back with this wonderful family again! This story is beautifully written and it grabs you from the very start. Once I started I could not put it down until I had finished. There's family drama, adventure, danger, suspense, and romance. And it's all woven together with beautiful messages of love, faith and hope.

I VERY highly recommend this book and this whole series. It has a little something for everyone. There is real history blended with fiction, which I love! There's drama and suspense and romance. The writing is fabulous and the messages will keep you thinking long after you've finished the book. And this whole family will steal your heart and will stay with you forever.

Other:
Page Number: 352
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended For: ages 13+
Violence: minimal
Romance: existent (not explicit)
Recommendation: A great read

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers for this review.

Tandem by Tracie Bateman

2011-01-26T07:50:00.000-08:00

As obsession and loss become dark partners, how far must the people of Abbey Hills go to survive?

Six months ago, brutal murders shook the small Ozark town—murders that stopped after a house fire reportedly claimed the killer’s life. Lauryn McBride's family auction house has taken responsibility for the estate sale of one of the victims—the enigmatic Markus Chisom. Submerging herself in Chisom’s beautiful but strange world, Lauryn welcomes the reprieve from watching Alzheimer’s steal her father from her, piece by piece. She soon realizes that centuries-old secrets tie Abbey Hills to the Chisom estate and a mysterious evil will do anything to make sure those secrets stay hidden. Even the man who grew up loving her may not be able to protect Lauryn from the danger.

When Amede Dastillon receives an unexpected package from Abbey Hills, she hopes it might be the key in tracking down her beloved sister, long estranged from her family. Visiting Abbey Hills seems the logical next step in her search, but Amede is unusually affected by the town, and when mutilated carcasses begin turning up again in the small community, the local law enforcement isn’t sure if they are confronting a familiar evil or a new terror.

Two women brought together by questions that seem to have no answers. Can they overcome the loss and darkness threatening to devour them—or will their own demons condemn them to an emotional wasteland?

My Review: Christian Vampire Stories? Come on! What has the world come to? Tandem was my first ever Christian Vampire novel. To say the least, I was unimpressed with the unbelievable and awkward combination of satanic symbols with Christian views. I was not impressed. In my honest opinion, I do not know how someone could combine Christian Lit. and Vampires into one book...even if it was to allow those who are Christian, but love Vampire Lit. to have it in a compact version with a good moral meaning, etc. To me, it was unappealing, frustrating, and it turned me off from the moment I opened the book. Not a book I would ever consider reading again. As far as I'm concerned, I'm going to burn the book.

Other:
Page Number: 320
Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
Recommended For: ages 16+
Violence: max
Romance: some
Recommendation: not recommended

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Tyndale Media Center for this review.