The Remaining by Travis Thrasher-A Review-

ABOUT THE REMAINING
The Remaining is a novelization of the apocalyptic movie from Sony Affirm. Just after a young couple says their vows, the earth shakes, and some people die suddenly and are taken away. The rest of their wedding party and friends are left to wrestle with what happened and with their faith. Characters struggle with secret love, dreams, hopes, and beliefs as they continue to evaluate their faith. This book and movie are both action-packed thrillers that will encourage audiences to think about their beliefs.


In one day, everything changes forever.

As a group of college pals gathers for the wedding of two friends, celebration turns to terror when many of the guests die suddenly with no apparent cause. With the big day turned into a nightmare, the friends are left to figure out what’s happening. With mysterious and devastating catastrophes striking the city—and reports of similar events coming in from around the world—they must address the ultimate question.

Is this the end? Or just the beginning of something more horrifying than they ever could have imagined?

Faith, family, and the future are all hanging in the balance.

Based on the affirm films movie

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; MTI edition (September 1, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1414397526
ISBN-13: 978-1414397528
Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Critically acclaimed author Travis Thrasher has made a career out of defying expectations. He's written over twenty-five books that have crossed the spectrum between love stories and supernatural thrillers. His variety of inspirational stories have included collaborations with filmmakers, musicians, and pastors. He's also helped write memoirs and self-help books. He lives with his wife and three daughters in a suburb of Chicago.

For more information on Travis, visit www.travisthrasher.com.

MY REVIEW
  I really, really didn’t like The Remaining by Travis Thrasher. In the first place the book didn’t really have a main theme or subject. It just seemed like everyone was running and being grossed out by everything that was happening. The events of the book were talking of the last days. Most of what is in the book is wrong in one way or another. It doesn’t follow the Biblical account as how things will be.
  Don’t get me wrong I really love to read books about the end times and the things that will be happening, but I don’t like when things are changed just to make the book/movie more interesting.
  In this book The Remaining when the end came and the believers were taken away, they just died, bodies left here and souls taken. Also another part when the unbelievers became Christians they were killed or devoured by beasts immediately.
  The characters in this book were very flimsy, shallow people. They seemed like they only became Christians so they wouldn’t be cast into hell with these demons.
Very shallow story and characters. I will give it 2-stars because it had some interesting parts.

Order from Amazon


Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for providing this book for review. 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

Jesus Boat Witness to Prophecy DVD*A Review*

The astounding prophetic rebirth of Israel is told through the discovery of an ancient and unlikely artifact found under the shores of the Sea of Galilee. A first century fishing boat, identical to the boat Jesus sailed upon with his disciples, was destroyed in the years Israel was destroyed by the Romans, but found 2000 years later in a series of astonishing events that even scientists called a miracle. Mirroring Israel's own story of devastation and survival, the boat from the time of Jesus, would rise against all odds and float upon the Sea of Galilee once more as the oldest surviving freshwater boat in the world. Featuring commentary from some of the great theologians of our day including Franklin Graham, Joel Rosenberg, Jay Sekulow, Skip Heitzig, Chuck Smith and more.
http://jesusboatmovie.com/

MPAA Rating: NR
Format: DVD - Region 1
Closed Captions: No
Languages: English
Length/Run Time: 49 min
UPC/ISBN Number: 853028004044

Order from Jesus Boat web site

MY REVIEW
  Jesus Boat Witness to Prophecy is an excellent DVD. So much history from the Bible and the history of that day are told in this DvD. It is so interesting to see how they found the book and what leads up to how the boat was there. Everything just fell into line in just the right time. It is a miracle how it was discovered and at just the right time.
  The boat was buried in mud, that is what kept it from rotting away and you will see in the DVD how they had to keep it from falling apart once they got it out.
   The people narrating  and commenting on this movie are Franklin Graham, Joel Rosenberg, Jay Sekulow, Skip Heitzig, Chuck Smith and more.

  There isn’t a boring moment on this DVD as you learn about the Jesus Boat and history involved.  This is a great tool for your family, church or any group of people who love History.
 Highly recommend this movie.


“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one of the products  mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.”

The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson~A Review~

ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS CAT
After years abroad, Garrison Brown returns home to Vancouver to build a new life. When his beloved grandmother passes away a few weeks before Christmas, Garrison goes to her house to sort out her belongings, including six cats who need new homes. While Garrison hopes to dispense with the task quickly, his grandmother's instructions don't allow for speed. She has left Garrison with some challenging requirements for the future homes of her furry friends--plus a sizeable monetary gift for the new owners. Garrison's job is to match the cats with the right owners without disclosing the surprise gift. Along the way, he may just meet someone who can make him stay.

Humorous and heartwarming, this latest Christmas story from bestselling author Melody Carlson is the perfect gift for pet lovers and anyone in whose heart Christmas holds a special place.

Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: Revell (September 9, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800719662
ISBN-13: 978-0800719661
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That's a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a "storyteller." Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She's won a number of awards (including Romantic Time's Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/


MY REVIEW
  The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson is an excellent book. The characters are so well described and the scenery is so vivid that you will feel like you are right there.
  Garrison the main character is such a likable person. He doesn’t hate cats, but he doesn’t love them either. He is severely allergic to cats, but has the job of placing his grandmother’s cats in different homes after she passed away. Only six cats, but for Garrison that seems like a million. He can’t simply give them away to any one either. They have to meet many requirements.
  During this process Garrison meets and friends many new people whom he would never have met without the cats.
  This is really a charming story. Full of love, happiness and joy. Highly recommended.

Order from Amazon

I received my free copy from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my review. 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

Rumors of Wars DVD Review

ABOUT RUMORS OF WARS
Rumors of Wars is a suspenseful, action packed film with two converging story-lines, the first one centering around an aspiring college journalist named Roxy (Jennifer Cooper), finds herself searching for answers when she investigates end time prophecies for a term paper. Recording her research in a diary, her findings prove to have more of an impact than she could have ever imagined. Her diary is discovered years later, in the rubble of a post apocalypse society filled with decay and violence. With the truth of what really happened to the world in its pages, the book finds its way into to the hands of an officer, named Shaw (Ben Davies) in the New World Army. But what will he do with this new found truth?






Actors: Ben Davies
Directors: Paul Tomborello
Format: Multiple Formats, Color, NTSC
Language: English
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Word Films
DVD Release Date: November 10, 2014
Run Time: 90 minutes

ABOUT WORD ENTERTAINMENT
About Word Entertainment:  A leader in the music industry for over 60 years, Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is a unique, comprehensive entertainment company comprised of multi-faceted artist service departments including publishing, merchandising, booking, and online initiatives. Word Entertainment represents some of the top names and brands in music, including Meredith Andrews, Chris August, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Castro, Patrick Ryan Clark, Everfound, for KING & COUNTRY, Group 1 Crew, Love & The Outcome, Dara Maclean, Point Of Grace and Sidewalk Prophets and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Print, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.

MY REVIEW
  Rumors of Wars is a really interesting, suspenseful drama. I like how they show two different stories. One shows a college student and how she keeps a diary of the events happening in her life and how she tries to escape from the people forcing a chip into her hand. She studies about the end times and writes everything down.
  The second story is happens years later. It tells of all of the mayhem and trouble with the end times. How Christians are captured and killed. How no one wants the Christians around. They blame all of the troubles of the modern age on the Christians. One solider finds her diary and reads it. It’s amazing what a few words can do to a person.
  Quite a good movie that will start you thinking and make you want to change for the better. Very good end times story. I recommend this for all groups.

Order from Amazon

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one of the products  mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.”

Noah by Mark Ludy A Review and GIVEAWAY

ABOUT NOAH

Mark Ludy’s latest book will appeal to adults and children alike. Digging deeper than the Sunday school tale of cuddly animals on Noah’s ark, the story follows the biblical text and illumines Noah’s relationship with God, his wife, family, nature, and humanity. Ludy’s world-class artwork lets people see, as though for the first time, the beauty within this story - revealing a clearer picture of the nature and character of God and his relationship to humankind. It’s immersive and epic in scale and scope. The wordless format invites conversation and storytelling, key building blocks of literacy. And as with his previous books, Ludy’s signature mouse Squeakers appears hidden on every page.

Age Range: 2 - 18 years
Hardcover: 64 pages
Publisher: Plough Publishing House; Sew edition (October 24, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0874866391
ISBN-13: 978-0874866391
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 11 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Ludy has written or illustrated several acclaimed children’s books including The Farmer, The Flower Man, The Grump, When I Was a Boy I Dreamed, When I Was a Girl I Dreamed, and Jugo the Youngest Tribesman. When he’s not immersed is his sketchbooks, you’ll find him in schools encouraging children and promoting the arts and literacy. He lives in Colorado with his wife and two young sons.

Mark’s website: http://www.markludy.com
Official NOAH website: http://www.plough.com/en/ebooks/n/noah

MY REVIEW

  Noah by Mark Ludy is a very, very good book. It is not your typical cute kids story book. It tells the way things were and has very vivid pictures. It is really mesmerizing.
 No words at all which makes it even more endearing. As you look at each picture you can talk to your child and tell them the story and then they will begin to tell the story also.
  I just love the pictures they really reach out and grab you and pull you into the story. Each page is a story in itself. Truly amazing. I highly recommend this book for you and your children.

Order from Amazon

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

One person will receive the Noah book.
Leave a comment with your name and email address. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.

Here are the ways to get extra entries:
~Be or become a follower  +1
~Be or become an email subscriber +1
~Be or become a networked blog follower +1

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org.  ENTRY DEADLINE  December 1, 2014

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes*A Review*

ABOUT A TIME TO DIE
How would you live if you knew the day you'd die?

Parvin Blackwater believes she has wasted her life. At only seventeen, she has one year left according to the Clock by her bedside. In a last-ditch effort to make a difference, she tries to rescue Radicals from the government's crooked justice system.

But when the authorities find out about her illegal activity, they cast her through the Wall -- her people's death sentence. What she finds on the other side about the world, about eternity, and about herself changes Parvin forever and might just save her people. But her clock is running out.

Series: Out of Time (Book 1)
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: ENCLAVE PUBLISHING (October 1, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1621840298
ISBN-13: 978-1621840299
Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nadine learned to write her alphabet with a fountain pen. In Kindergarten. Cool, huh? Maybe that's what started her love for writing. She started journaling at age nine and thus began her habit of communicating via pen and paper more than spoken words. She never decided to become a writer. Her brain simply classified it as a necessity to life.

Nadine is a stay-at-home author and writes stories about authentic faith, bold living, and worlds soaked in imagination. She lives in Idaho with her husband and works as a freelance editor. When she's not writing, editing, or taste-testing a new chai, she is out pursuing adventures. A Time to Die is her first novel. Visit Nadine at www.nadinebrandes.com

MY REVIEW
  A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes is about the best book I have read this year. I just love, love, love it. So very glad this is a series and I very much look forward to reading the next one.
  A Time to Die is Nadine Brandes first book and it’s a winner.  I’m so very happy that I got a chance to read this book. Nadine Brandes will really make an impact on the writing and reading community. She is so talented.
 Parvin is a brave, smart and loving girl whom finds herself in all kinds of troubles and she draws closer to God each time.
  A Time to Die has a lots of ups and downs and really tears at your heart. The things Parvin has to go through and how she finds her purpose in life are just marvelous.  Parvin meets so many different people and cultures that each page is a new experience. She has a few people who help her and love her.
  I’m just so amazed at this author ideas and how she puts them into a story.  I highly recommend this book. If you don’t read any other book this year read A Time to Die. You will love it. I expect great things from this author. Wish I could give her more than 5 stars.

Order from Amazon

Thank you to the  Author/Publicist  for providing this book for review. 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

Mirror Image by Mike Dellosso and Aaron Reed *A Review*

You can get this for free for your kindle at Amazon right now!

ABOUT MIRROR IMAGE
Sometimes, things aren't what they seem. Sometimes, they're much worse.

When Dennis, a loner with a wounded past, discovers he looks identical to author Joshua Norton he convinces himself that Norton is living a life he doesn't deserve. Curiosity takes a dark turn when Dennis begins obsessing over Norton’s seemingly perfect life and eventually plots to switch places with the undeserving author. But reality isn’t always what it appears to be and what Dennis finds isn’t exactly what he expected.


File Size: 175 KB
Print Length: 35 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Darlington House (March 19, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00BXFAZ8S

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Dellosso is a husband, father, and author of six novels of suspense including Scream, Frantic, and Fearless. He also writes under the pen name Michael King (A Thousand Sleepless Nights). Mike lives with his wife and four daughters in southern Pennsylvania.

Aaron Reed is a Christ-follower, husband, and father of five. He is also a full-time pastor, avid amateur runner, and enjoys reading a variety of fictional literature, especially suspense novels late at night. He makes his home with his family in the beautiful hills of southern Ohio.


MY REVIEW
  Very short story that I enjoyed very much. I sort of thought it would end this way but, it also held surprises for me.  I like the way the authors wove this story together and makes you think something that isn’t true.
Very clever and interesting book. You will enjoy it very much. I recommend it for the story line and the ending.

Order from Amazon


This is my own book and no one asked me to review it.

A.D. 30 by Ted Dekker A Review

ABOUT A.D. 30
A sweeping epic set in the harsh deserts of Arabia and ancient Palestine.

A war that rages between kingdoms on the earth and in the heart.

The harrowing journey of the woman at the center of it all.

Step back in time to the year of our Lord...A.D. 30.

The outcast daughter of one of the most powerful Bedouin sheikhs in Arabia, Maviah is called on to protect the very people who rejected her. When their enemies launch a sudden attack with devastating consequences, Maviah escapes with the help of two of her father's warriors--Saba who speaks more with is sword than his voice and Judah, a Jew who comes from a tribe that can read the stars. Their journey will be fraught with terrible danger. If they can survive the vast forbidding sands of a desert that is deadly to most, they will reach a brutal world subjugated by kings and emperors. There Maviah must secure an unlikely alliance with King Herod of the Jews.

But Maviah's path leads her unexpectedly to another man. An enigmatic teacher who speaks of a way in this life which offers greater power than any kingdom. His name is Yeshua, and his words turn everything known on its head. Though following him may present even greater danger, his may be the only way for Maviah to save her people--and herself.

Series: AD
Hardcover: 576 pages
Publisher: Center Street; Lrg edition (October 28, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1455589209
ISBN-13: 978-1455589203
Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.9 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ted Dekker is a “New York Times” best-selling author of more than 30 novels with over 5 million copies sold worldwide. He is known for thrillers that combine unforgettable characters, adrenaline-laced plots and incredible confrontations between good and evil. Dekker was named Best Inspirational Suspense Author in 2012 RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice. His book, “The Bride Collector,” was named one of NPR’s “Top 100 Killer Thrillers” of all time. Two of his novels, “Thr3e” and “House” have been made into movies with more in production. Dekker and his wife, Lee Ann, live in Austin, Texas.

MY REVIEW
  A.D. 30 is a really different kind of book than we are use to from Ted Dekker.
  We follow Maviah as she journeys through many different obstacles in her life. We watch her grow and change and become the woman God wants her to be.
  Judah is such a strong person who never gives up and one of my favorite lines of his is “I am Judah.”
  I really didn’t care for the first part of this book. I think the part of walking through the desert took to long and didn’t hold my interest.  It started to get more interesting after they got to King Herod. I enjoyed starting there and the rest of the book.
   I like their steadfast faith and characters and how they handled every situation that arose.
 My favorite part was the fight at the end between Maviah and her brother. Very, very good.
  I highly recommend this book to Ted Dekker fans and to many people who will be his new fans. Just don’t look for his usual thriller type of book.

Order from Amazon

Thank you to the  Author/Publicist  for providing this book for review. 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

When Night Comes by Dan Walsh *Review*

ABOUT WHEN NIGHT COMES

Jack Turner comes back to Culpepper to give a series of lectures for his old history professor. Within days, he starts having bizarre experiences at night. Like he’s traveling back in time, experiencing the epic events in his lectures firsthand. He has no control over these experiences and can’t make them stop.

Joe Boyd thought he’d left big city crime back in Pittsburgh when he took a detective job in Culpepper, Georgia, a sleepy southern college town. His peaceful life ends when two students turn up dead in two weeks. The coroner is saying natural causes, but something doesn’t add up.

Rachel Cook, a teaching assistant at Culpepper, can’t believe Jack is back in her life again. She’s had a crush on him since she was fourteen, but Jack never knew. He instantly seems attracted to her, but she can tell…something is deeply troubling him.
Watching all this from a distance is Nigel Avery. He’s certain this experiment’s about to unravel. It’ll be his job to tie up all the loose ends when it does.

Bestselling author Dan Walsh is known for page-turning storylines. Fans of his novels The Discovery and What Follows After will especially love…When Night Comes.

File Size: 1748 KB
Print Length: 348 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 069231816X
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Bainbridge Press (November 1, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00O2G0D50

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of 12 novels, published by Revell and Guideposts, including The Unfinished Gift, The Reunion and The Discovery. He has won 3 ACFW Carol Awards, 2 Selah Awards, and three times his novels have been named as finalists for RT Reviews Inspirational Novel of the Year.

For those who haven't read Dan's books, reviewers often compare him to Nicholas Sparks and Richard Paul Evans. Although more recently, Dan has also started to pen suspense novels (like, What Follows After and When Night Comes). Dan has been writing fulltime since 2010. He and his wife Cindi have been married 38 years and have 2 grown children and 3 grandchildren. They live in the Daytona Beach area, where he grew up. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter, read his blog, or preview all his books by visiting his website at http://danwalshbooks.com.

MY REVIEW
 When Night Comes is an incredible, fascinating book. This is a different kind of book than the kind Dan Walsh usually writes and I think this is his best one yet. I just love the whole idea of the book. Can’t wait for book 2.
  Jack and Rachel are very interesting characters. Their love story is sweet, but When Night Comes is really about suspense and intrigue. I was on the edge of my seat through the whole book and couldn’t wait to finish, but at the same time dreading the book being done. It is so appealing you would like it to go on forever. I was really wondering how everything could turn out, because at times there seemed no good way for When Night Comes to end.
  Very, very much enjoyed When Night Comes and highly recommend it for all of you lovers of suspenseful books. Excellent job Dan Walsh!

Order from Amazon


Thank you to the  Author/Publicist  for providing this book for review. 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