Clouds by Robin Jones Gunn

This is simply a re-release of the Glenbrooke series by Gunn.

As this is the fifth book, it is important that you read the first four books in the series.

Gunn does a fabulous job writing books for young girls (even adults). She writes relationships and the drama that takes place as if she's directly connecting with the hearts and minds of most of her fans. My spouse loves everything Gunn writes and this series is one of her favorites.

Chances are, if you're going to read this book, you've already read the Christy Miller story or any other Gunn book. It's difficult to read one book in the middle of the series so it's quite difficult for me to write a complete review of this book.

On its own, this is solid writing. The characters are easily relatable (even for a male reader) and the romantic stuff, while not my cup of tea, was nothing too over the top.

This is a good series to introduce to your daughters or friends. Nothing is ever questionable in a book by Robin Jones Gunn.

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

Dirty God by Johnnie Moore

Instead of simply trying to explain what grace is all about, why not let an excellent writer flesh it out so that you experience it?

Moore writes about churchy topics in a way that reaches out and presents itself in an incredibly accessible way. Too often those who have been in church for a long period of time will fall back to platitudes and verbage that only resonate with other long-term church goers.

Biblical grace is a terrifying idea. It is not something that should be "boiled down". We have moved beyond the era of the shouting preachers. Moore writes to the audience of Rob Bell and Mark Driscoll. Some may not enjoy approach, but if it allows people to experience grace, then it is well worth the read.

There are two parts to this book: Getting Grace and Giving Grace. Moore moves beyond words and gives us examples and word-picture motivation to give meat to the grace topic. This plays out in eighteen chapters. Each chapter is quick to read. Each chapter will leave you pondering the implications.

I can't wait to share this with friends and explore the truth proclaimed in this book. Get it and share it.

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

James Bond FAQ by Tom DeMichael

Everything you wanted to know about every Bond movie ever made.

Tom DeMichael has written a quick and easy reference on all things 007. He sets the stage by describing the author of the Bond books, Ian Fleming. This guy was the essential Bond without the killing: he had the girls, the alcohol and the military background.

With the quick nod to Fleming, DeMichael jumps into the movies. He highlights every actor ever to grace the screen as James Bond. He gives their own background as actors and what they brought to the character. Any list cannot be without its own best-to-worst and DeMichael shares his own opinion. Of course Sean Connery tops the list but who follows may be surprising to some.

Connery set the stage and kept coming back to the role even after he said he was finished. Of course the later efforts weren't as tight as Dr. No or From Russia With Love. Lazenby had no chance as the successor to Connery. Moore brought a more tounge-in-cheek quality to the character and you either love or hate his portrayal. Dalton decided to leave the goofy qualities behind and added a more brooding Bond to the masses. Brosnan finally got his chance to play Bond and his was one of finesse. Then there's Craig - a more human Bond (if that's actually possible).

Each chapter is given to specific aspects of the Bond franchise. You'll read all about the many gadgets, the villains, the evil organizations, the many, many women and of course the cars. The specifics for each and every one varies.

You'll read details from every movie ever made (including the spoof starring Peter Sellers) up to the latest, Skyfall. If you haven't seen them you will be spoiled.

This is a good book for any mild Bond fan. You have 50 years of information to fit into 400 pages. DeMichael does an admirable job - even if his attempt at humor often falls flat...

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

The Campaign

Will Farrell is quickly going the way of Adam Sandler - when you think you're running out of funny, you opt to go crude and offensive.

This has been the case for the past few Farrell comedies. I don't understand the humor of having children use filthy, crude language for comedy...and I don't understand the constant swearing as a laugh.

Farrell used to be comedy gold and I suppose he's simply taping into what the ticket holders want but I didn't finish this movie. The beginning that I saw, I laughed not.

Mirrors by Ted Dekker

Book two of a four e-book saga. Ted Dekker slowly tips his hand.

With the first book, Identity, I relished the return of mind-bending Dekker storytelling. With Mirrors, I think I'm getting a slight grasp of where he's taking us but the joy of reading Dekker is that you will double back on whatever assumptions you make many times over.

I like the pacing of this story so far. I like how this book in unveiling more of the past for Christy ... I mean Alice...perhaps Christy.  These chapters fly by too soon. For those of us purchasing these e-books as they're released, the short wait between books is exhausting. (lucky you who can buy all four at once.)

Christy seems to get most of the backstory attention so far. But Austin has to get his due soon. The thing with his headaches and his mysterious past have to come to the fore soon.

I love how I'm not sure if the villains are the villains. Could it be that they truly are just trying to help them out? This is the joy of diving deep with Dekker.

Don't mistake these for full-length novels but they are worth the read!

Les Miserables audio drama

Focus on the Family turns this massive novel into a radio drama that clocks in at around three hours.

Maybe you've seen the musical and you've seen all the trailers for the new movie but you couldn't convince yourself to pick up that massive novel.

Now you get a mix of the two - without the singing.

This radio drama gives you the meat of the story that you may miss when you see the movie. It's full of quality voice actors and it almost transports you back to the day when people actually sat around their radios for their entertainment.

I listened to this in my car and had some trouble with the sound. I had to keep the volume above 20 the entire time. For some this may not be a big deal because you listen to your music at higher volumes, but for me, this was just too loud for a radio drama - especially when you take into account all the yelling and gunfire in the last disc.

This drama fills three CDs and will keep your mind occupied for the car trip.

This CD was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale Publishing.

Identity by Ted Dekker

Ted Dekker is trying the "episodic" e-book route. There will be four smaller e-books that will compile a regular-sized novel titled Eyes Wide Open.

Christy and Austin are friends who find themselves in an impossible situation that would strike fear in the heart of anyone. What if you stumble into a psych ward with no identification to prove who you are and the doctors mistake you for their new patients? 

The first chapter was difficult for me to get through. But I discovered that chapter one is simply the incline before this roller-coaster takes off.

As the first book of a four-book series, Identity is a short, fast read. It has the typical Dekker-laced plot. You will not be able to breathe until you see the "Continue with Mirrors, book 2" at the end. The characters move forward in pace with the story. There is nothing slowing down this master storyteller.

As he did with Thr3e, Dekker will have you questioning your own reasoning and conclusions with this first book. Nothing is as it seems and Ted is the perfect writer for giving your brain a twist.

I can't wait to start Mirrors!