Monday, February 28, 2011

Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann

Everyone has their issues, their baggage that lingers and never quite goes away. Kristen Heitzmann delves into characters that have their fair share of awful baggage in Indivisible.

There's Police Chief Jonah Westfall who has some daddy issues, then three's Tia Manning who is connected to Jonah somehow but is dealing with her own relationship rough patch. Add a bubbly, inventive baker named Piper, throw in mutilated raccoons and you have what begins as an intriguing story.

This is a thrilling, figure-out-before-the-characters story. The characters are unique enough that you're invested if you can survive the first 5 chapters. After that amount of time, you'll be hooked to go with them until the last page. Heitzmann uses the thriller genre to touch on heavy issues like guilt, family wounds, loneliness, drug use, ... come to think of it, she brings up almost every negative issue in society in this one book!

Kristen Heitzmann is a Christy Award winning author of over 15 novels.

There are some nice twists in Indivisible and an interesting development few may see coming.

This is a good book worth reading on any flight.
Indivisible: A Novel

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing.

Finding Our Way Again by Brian McLaren

Brian McLaren is no stranger to controversy for the conservative church. In his book, Finding Our Way Again, McLaren introduces several religious practices that are reintroducing themselves into our lives. You would think something like this would be an easy topic for everyone to rally around.

Not so for Brian.

Inside you will find 3 parts:

The Way
The Practices
The Ancient

The first part opens the door for understanding the history of ancient spiritual practices. Part two reveals the practices found in: contemplative, communal, missional, and discovering which ones we can include in our lives.

Part three goes deeper with the practical application (along with some sweet Latin words.)

At the end of each chapter is a number of exercises to help you implement the practices. This book is meant to be a simple introduction to other books within the Ancient Practices series.

McLaren begins to rub against the grain when he begins to mention other religions and how he gained much truth and understanding from other religious practices. Reading things like this will obviously frustrate individuals who are uncomfortable with anything other than "Jesus".

Finding Our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practices (Ancient Practices Series)

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishing.

I review for BookSneeze®

ReChurch by Stephen Mansfield

Stephen Mansfield has written books on the faith of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Before that, he was a pastor for 20 years. He has gone through his share of church-hurts.

He uses his examples and experiences to guide others through the healing process in ReChurch: Healing Your Way Back to the People of God.

You will read 7 chapters that take you on the journey through identifying the wounds and taking serious inventory on the reasons and the why's of the offense.

Mansfield believes people need to be brutally honest with their situations and many times it means dealing with the pity-parties and denials of those who were offended.

I specifically enjoyed the chapter on forgiveness and the word pictures that the original Greek language imposes from Scripture. You can definitely tell this man was once a preacher.

This book will do well for any soul - whether you're dealing with a church hurt or just pain in general, ReChurch should be read.

ReChurch: Healing Your Way Back to the People of God

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale Publishing.
I Review For The Tyndale Blog Network

Friday, February 25, 2011

Paranormal Activity 2

I had such high hopes for this sequel to one of the scariest movie experiences - Paranormal Activity.

Paranormal Activity 2 is a clever sequel. It is more along the lines of a prequel/parallel story.  You are introduced to a new family about to be terrorized by a demonic force.

This family is related to Katie from the first movie in that Katie and the wife, Kristi, are sisters.

You learn more of the back-story of these sisters in that they conducted seances and dabbled in the occult when they were younger. You also learn, by way of step-daughter Ali, that their grandmother probably made some kind of deal with the demon and it is after Kristi's son, Hunter.

After the home is ransacked, they install security cameras all over the house. Every single time "something" happens you are witness to the same progression over-and-over. Outside, pool, inside kitchen, inside living room, front door, Hunter's room.

Every. Single. Time.

This is part of what makes this sequel intolerable and boring.

The beauty of the first film was that each night, you knew something was going to happen and it kept getting worse. It built a level of tension that you could cut with a butter knife. In this one, there is too much boring video of people walking around and that stupid pool cleaner.

There is only one redeemable moment in the film: when Ali is sleeping on the couch and you see a shadow creep closer to her and when it nears, she jerks awake. That was intense.

Everything else was boring. Instead of calling this DVD the uncut, director's edition, they should have called it: Paranormal Activity 2: The Extreme Bore edition.

They have left it open for another movie but I hope they leave well enough alone. Let's forget this sequel happened.

Paranormal Activity 2

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

A Simple Government by Mike Huckabee

I enjoy reading Mike Huckabee books; he's critical without sounding mean and he writes as if he's sitting with you in your living room.

A Simple Government is basically his platform for his 2012 campaign. If he tells you differently, as he does at the end of the book, don't believe it.

Huckabee is not afraid of telling it how he believes. He will disagree with his own party and praise the Obama administration. Within this book you will read the 12 things Mike Huckabee wants the federal government to do.

1. Return to family values
2. Return to local government
3. Control spending and debt
4. Simple, fair tax system
5. A responsible approach to health care
6. Education that values all students
7. Responsibility for the environment
8. Immigration reform that works
9. Strong approach to terrorism
10. Effective military policy
11. Stronger American position in the world
12. Faith in the future.

Look at those titles and tell me he's not wanting you to read this and vote for him. You'll read mainly what you'd expect from a conservative: national defense, tough of terrorist, emphasis on local governments, and altering the details of Social Security. I found his ideas on the Fair Tax and his education plans interesting. (Get school credit for playing in a garage band)

While there are a few details on what he wants to do within each item, the majority of this book is your typical political pep talk. He does sound presidential when he talks about our foreign policy and his experience as Governor helps boost his experience.

I'm not sure how many people take him seriously enough to vote for a guy with the name Huckabee who used to be a pastor.

Having said that, I think his book is worth the read for anyone interested in political issues. If nothing at all, it will get you to help focus where you stand on the issues.
A Simple Government: Twelve Things We Really Need from Washington (and a Trillion That We Don't!)

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Sentinel Publishing.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Regret Free Parenting by Catherine Hickem, LCSW

Licensed psychotherapist Catherine Hickem has 3 decades of experience with motherhood. She has decided to share her thoughts to help equip the mothers who decide to read Regret Free Parenting.

As a parent, have you asked yourself one or more of the following questions:

"Are my kids ready for the world?"
"Did I teach them the right things?"
"What if I made a bad decision that affects them forever?"
"What could I have done differently?"

If you have, welcome to the world every parent experiences. Moms in particular carry a load of worries throughout parenthood. Hickem wants to give the principles you need to raise your child(ren) with confidence.

These 7 principles are all about being intentional: about understanding your purpose, about knowing and affirming your child, about keeping vision, about developing emotional intelligence, maintaining your parent position, addressing your fears, and being dependent on God.

You will read practical advice and personal examples in each chapter which addresses these principles.

Will this book calm your fears and ease your worries? I doubt it, but it will give you motivation and encouragement that you're doing just fine.
Regret Free Parenting: Raise Good Kids and Know You're Doing It Right

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishing.
I review for BookSneeze®

The Titus Mandate by Ted Bigelow

Is your church being led by a dangerous man? Author Ted Bigelow claims it might be and offers the biblical solution in The Titus Mandate.

As found in the letter to Titus, Bigelow believes churches should follow what Paul wrote in Titus 1:5. In the most basic form the Titus Mandate is a call to lay leadership in the form of Elders.

Bigelow believes too many churches fall under the pressure to follow a "superstar" pastor and give this one person untold authority and power.

This will typically lead to disasters including church splits, the kind of in-fighting many churchgoers are used to hearing about from their church-going friends.

In fact, how many of you have heard the horror stories of why friends have left a particular church? Bigelow believes most of these horrors can be avoided by building up and following the biblical example of Elders.

By breaking the steps down to 4 parts, Bigelow lays out the groundwork for this process:

Part 1 - Defining the Titus Mandate. What is it and why is it needed.
Part 2 - Embracing the Titus Mandate. How to rebuild under Elders.
Part 3 - Defending the Titus Mandate. Historical and biblical examples.
Part 4 - Implementing the Titus Mandate. Putting all the knowledge into practice.

I'm not confident how popular this book will be in American churches. Once a person has power, it is difficult to release it.
The Titus Mandate

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by CreateSpace Publishing.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

The Brotherhood by Jerry B. Jenkins

Before we get to the review, I want to give you the opportunity to win this book. I have a certificate for a free copy of The Brotherhood. All that you need to do is comment below with your e-mail address and let me know why you enjoy Jerry Jenkins' books.

Beginning what I assume to be a series of Precinct 11 novels, Jenkins unveils, The Brotherhood - a police drama that is surrounded by gangs, incredible tragedy and betrayal.

Boone Drake is the kid who could stop junior high bullies in their tracks. He has taken his firm character into the ranks of the Chicago Police Department where he hopes to become detective in the Organized Crime Division.

His wife and son dote on him and they appear to be a perfect, church-going family. Until a horrible accident takes it all away.

With Drake in an emotional free-fall, his career may be in the garbage. How could anyone recover from the ultimate loss?

Jenkins really pulls at the heart strings right off the bat. I thought he would go too far and have this become schmaltzy, but I was sucked into his character development. From the Left Behind books, to this novel, Jenkins creates real-life characters that are instantly relateable.

With a twisty ending, (someone may have become a turncoat) Jenkins sets the foundation for a character-driven police thriller. Don't miss out!

Jerry Jenkins' novels have sold more than 70 million copies; 20 have reached the New York Times Best Sellers List.

Please visit Tyndale Publishing for more information.
The Brotherhood (Precinct 11)

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale Publishing.
I Review For The Tyndale Blog Network

Friday, February 11, 2011

Meet Mrs. Smith by Anna Smith

Being the wife of a rockstar and the mother of 6 children, Anna Smith has plenty to share in her book, Meet Mrs. Smith.

Smith has plenty of girl-talk with whoever wants to read this book. She'll tell you about how her first kiss with Delirious? singer, Martin Smith, went on Christmas, how she felt the next day and even giving playful banter on their wedding night.

Similar to her husband's book, Delirious, Meet Mrs Smith takes us on their family's journey through a rock band's touring to traveling overseas, to starting up a non-profit. Only this trip is taken through the lens of the woman who stays home and deals with the parenting while her husband leads thousands in worship. 

Her writing is more of the feelings and emotions that take place through this adventure. Her playfulness is evident in the way she talks about her family and husband. It's almost as if you're sitting next to her having a simple conversation.

This is a nice read for a alternate view of the behind-the-scenes work of a rockband's family.
Meet Mrs. Smith: My Adventures with Six Kids, One Rockstar Husband, and a Heart to Fight Poverty

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by David C. Cook Publishing

Mere Churchianity by Michael Spencer

With an author known as The Internet Monk, it shouldn't be difficult to enjoy his book titled Mere Churchianity.

Michael Spencer is calling Christians to embrace, what he calls, Jesus-shaped spirituality.

With 4 parts, Spencer describes what is wrong with American churches (which most of us have heard over and over) and attempts to point us from the error of our ways toward a ministry and life based on Jesus.

In part 1: The Jesus Disconnect, Spencer explains how some churches believe they are promoting God while all the while they have created an idol based on American ideals.

In part 2: The Jesus Briefing, we'll learn about accepting the Real Jesus and what he is doing in the world.

In part 3: The Jesus Life, we are called to cast off our Church-shaped life and run to what Jesus really called us to do.

In part 4: The Jesus Community, you'll read why Spencer has a thing against Evangelicals and whether being part of an institutional church is a good or bad thing.

I'm hesitant with books like this. It's too easy to complain about Christian churches and so many "Christian" authors jump on that train to sell books. What you need to do is look beyond the stereotypes and hear what The Internet Monk is believing about faith.

Sadly, Michael Spencer died before this book was published.
Mere Churchianity: Finding Your Way Back to Jesus-Shaped Spirituality

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Date Night

Your average married-with-kids couple stumble upon a deadly case of mistaken identities.

Steve Carell and Tina Fey are fantastic in Date Night. My only disappointment was with Tina Fey: I wished they would have given her more opportunities to show off her comedic talent.

Steve Carell continues his laugh-out-loud antics. I was crying at one point because he had me laughing so hard. (Of course, that was the only time I laughed so hard during this film)

For the most part, the comedy is smile-worthy. Other times, I cringed at some of the humor and jokes. It was as if they tried too hard. But you'll get that in about every comedy.

This touts a great supporting cast: Mark Wahlberg as the guy who never wears a shirt, Mark Ruffalo who sets the theme for the film, and James Franco becomes yet another drug-head. Each adds their own flavor to create a fun film to watch with your spouse/date.

What comedy DVD would be without the gag reel? The outtakes are just as funny as the film.
Date Night

Delirious by Martin Smith and Craig Borlase

The front-man of Christian band, Delirious? gives us an inside look at the history of their band and the journey they led in Delirious: My journey with the band, a growing family, and an army of History Makers.

Coming from England, Martin grew up in a strong Christian home. His father asked him to lead the youth group and within the week, Martin was able to stand in front of a few teenagers and play the guitar.

This book takes us for a ride through the early years of Delirious?; when they were playing for a small festival and recording 6 songs for cassette tapes.

Martin writes about his experiences with singing of and for God, his intense call to worship following a horrible car accident and then how, through Joyce Meyer, his heart broke for children in India.

As a father to 6 children, Martin explains why it was important for his band to dump the typical band tour dates and be home in time to worship at their home church.

He explains the band's difficulties as they exploded onto the United States and trying to play both Secular and Sacred music realms.

This is a great inside-look at someone who loves a great God and his attempt to use his gifts toward praising Him.
Delirious: My Journey with the Band, a Growing Family, and an Army of Historymakers

This book was provided for review, at no cost, from David C. Cook Publishing

Monday, February 7, 2011

The Promises She Keeps by Erin Healy

This is Erin Healy's second solo attempt and I am just finding it difficult to connect with her writing.

The Promises She Keeps tells the story of a number of quirky characters. First you have a girl named Promise who has cystic fibrosis. She wants to be remembered for having a fantastic voice.

Then there's Chase who is an autistic artist who loves drawing trees and becomes "attracted" to Promise.

Another guy to be attracted to her his Zack. He is talented in taking photographs. But he has a loon for a mother, Porta, who dabbles in the supernatural as well as promoting her art gallery.

Chase, Zack, and Porta all desire Promise but for different reasons.

Before the end of the book, their ambitions will come to a head with frightening results.

I enjoyed the characters. I thought each had something unique to bring to the story. But I can't really put my finger on why it took me so long to finish this story. If nothing else, it opened my eyes a little bit to the suffering of cystic fibrosis and those with autism.

I was never really sucked into the tension and thrills of this story. (which is a little sad when they promote the book with a Ted Dekker blurb about Erin writing "Heart-pounding suspense")

While this isn't my favorite author or book, I'm sure Erin Healy will gather a wonderful fan base.

The Promises She Keeps

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishing.
I review for BookSneeze®

Thursday, February 3, 2011

The 60 Minute Money Workout by Ellie Kay

Written by "America's Family Financial Expert", The 60 Minute Money Workout is a quick and easy read to help get you back on your financial feet for just one hour a week.

Easy to read - difficult to execute.

As with many financial books, you will be encouraged and maybe even excited with Ellie Kay's anecdotes and uplifting stories. Then comes the hard part of you actually sitting down and doing something with your money.

Kay tries to help by breaking the workload down to just an hour. She divides that hour in increments:

5 minute make-up-your-mind warmup. This is when you think of something positive.
10 minute strength training. Here is where you will write down your goals.
20 minute cardio burn. Here is where you write out the steps to reaching your goal.
20 minute check heart rate. Crunch numbers and find the details.
5 minute cool down. Reflection.

There are 14 chapters and you are to do this hour exercise for each chapter. They include:

A spending plan, retirement, debt, paying less, travel fun, allowance, college plan, home-based business, giving, and more.

The tips are practical, the ideas are meant to jump-start your own imagination. Now if we could only get a guarantee that this product will absolutely work.

It's basically up to the reader. This book has the potential to really help you tackle your debt but you have to do the work.

60 minutes isn't that much when you're talking about a week at a time.
The 60-Minute Money Workout: An Easy Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Finances into Shape

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing