Review: Life, In Spite of Me

Title: Life, In Spite of Me
Author: Kristen Jane Anderson as told to Tricia Goyer
Pages: 209
Published:  2010 by WaterBrook Press
Genre: Inspirational Biography
This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

My Synopsis:
Kristen is by all outward appearances, a happy teen who enjoys life. But deep down inside she's been hiding her real feelings. She experiences the death of her beloved Grandma, and then the most shocking event of all, when a friend commits suicide. Not knowing how to deal with her feelings, she turns to smoking, drinking, and hanging out with friends until all hours of the night. During one of these party nights, she is raped by a young man she once thought was a great guy. Her grades suffer and so does her relationship with her parents. One night she leaves a note for her mom telling her that she went for a walk. What happens instead is that Kristen finds herself drawn to the railroad tracks that weren't far from her house. Feeling like life is not worth living, she lays herself across the tracks and a train runs over her, severing her legs from her body. In shock, she's not sure whether she's alive or dead, but one thing she is sure of, is that she felt a force holding her body on the tracks. This is Kristen's story of how she decided that her life was worth living and how she dedicated her life to Christ.

My Thoughts:
When I picked up this book I honestly had no idea that Kristen lost her legs to her suicide attempt, her cover photo did not make me do a double-take at all.  I found myself in shock that a person could actually feel that helpless and lost that they would lay their body across the railroad tracks in hopes of dying. Kristen's story is powerful, there is no doubt about that. But what is missing here is depth. The story is too straightforward and actually feels emotionless. I'm sure that was not the intention, however, that is how I felt as I read this book tonight. I applaud her bravery by sharing her story with others. It takes a lot of strength and honesty. I'm just not sure that it translated well with this book. I wanted to feel her despair, understand how lost she truly was, and walk each agonizing step with her as she learned to use her prosthetic legs. I would love to listen to Kristen's story in person and I feel that she has an uplifting and inspirational  message to share with others. If you know someone who appears depressed or suicidal, this book may just give them hope. She does offer her own words of encouragement throughout the book and there is a resource page at the end. I'm glad to have read her story, as I think she has touched the lives of people in need. I just wish that the written story would have packed more of an emotional powerhouse.


Kristen's Video
To read Chapter One click here

Review: Indivisible

Title: Indivisible
Author: Kristen Heitzmann
Pages: 320
Published: May 4th 2010 by WaterBrook Press
Genre: Christian Suspense that was very well done!
This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

I usually give you some sort of synopsis of the story and then tell you what I thought about the book. Well, I'd like to do things a bit differently today and urge you to watch the trailer for this book. The video does an excellent job of getting you into the mood and may just put you a bit on edge!!!

Are you little bit scared??? I know that I was, yet I also knew that I just had to read this book. Heitzmann is a new to me author so I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but let me tell you that there was not a  slow spot in this book. The author weaves a very intricate story between the past and the present, giving you little glimpses into how past actions of so-called upstanding people can damage and reshape innocent lives. The characters are very real and I felt that they came off as very authentic, especially Jonah battling his demons with alcohol. I always enjoy reading stories that are set in  rustic towns which have deep connections with the wildlife and the forests that surround them. As I was reading this book it felt like I was peeling an onion with many ,many layers! I found myself stopping at the end of each chapter and thinking to myself....o.k. now what would make this person do that? What clues have I just read that would get me one step closer to the identity of this sadist person? I raced through this book in less than two days because I HAD to know the WHO and the WHY.  Please, don't let the genre interfere with you picking this book up or not....if I didn't know going into this book tour that it was a Christian Suspense novel I would never have thought it was so when I was finished. All I know is that this is a solid piece of suspense writing with a very ominous tone that runs just beneath the pages...and keeps you turning the pages until the very end.


Highly recommended!!

Review: The Bridegrooms

Title: The Bridegrooms
Author: Allison Pittman
Pages: 352
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Source: This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Tragedy hits the Allenhouse family when a mother of four vanished. Eight-year-old Vada virtually grew up overnight and raised her three younger sisters while her father lost himself in his medical practice in the basement of their home. Now, Vada is a grown woman, still making her home with her father and sisters. Her days are spent serving as an errand girl for Cleveland's fledgling amateur orchestra; her evenings with Garrison Walker, her devoted, if passionless, beau. Dizzying change occurs the day the Brooklyn Bridegrooms come to town to play the Cleveland Spiders and a line drive wallops the head of a spectator. The fan is whisked to the Allenhouse parlor, and questions swirl about the anonymous, unconscious man.
Suddenly, the sbudued house is filled with visitors, from a flirtatious, would-be sports writer to the Bridegrooms' handsome star hitter to the guilt-ridden ballplayer who should have caught the stray shot. The medical case brings Dr. Allenhouse a frustration and helplessness he hasn't felt since his wife's disappearance. Vada's sisters are giddy at the bevy of suitors. And Vada's life is awakened amid the super-charged atmosphere of romantic opportunity. 

My Thoughts: I loved this book from the very first chapter. I grew up with a little brother, who I was always dressing up as a girl when he was little. I think it would've been grand fun to have three sisters, so I was able to live vicariously through the girls in this book. I was drawn to Vada immediately, probably because we're both first-born and with that comes expectations and responsibilities. Vada took over being a mom to her sisters when their mother left them and their father for another man. She never really was allowed to enjoy her teens and now she wonders if Garrison, her beau, really loves her. She wants passion and desire in her life and for a fleeting moment she may have found it in one of the baseball players from The Bridegrooms team. Each girl has her struggles and need for love. It's interesting to see just how different their personalities are, but how similar in their quest for real love. I've decided that I'm not going to categorize these books as "Christian" fiction. Instead, I feel that they are "gentle" reads. Don't write this one off as being a Bible thumping style of read...it is far from it. Instead, I think the author brought to life some terrific women who struggled with their wants, needs, and desires in the late 19th century. A time period when women were starting to be  outspoken in their need to be heard and the right to vote. A time period when religion still played a huge role in the life of families. If you're looking for a great gentle read...then look no further. Pittman is an author I will certainly read again!!!

Review: Forget Me Not- Vicki Hinze

  
Title: Forget Me Not
Author: Vicki Hinze
Pages: 336
Genre: Christian Suspense/Thriller/Romance
Source: This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.


  He stopped at a red light and looked over at her with longing in his eyes. "I want what you've got." What was he talking about? Curiosity got the better of her. "What do I have?" "Faith." The light turned green and he drove on.  (p.178)

My short synopsis: Ben Brandt was a man that had it all: a beautiful, loving wife, young son, money, and a direction for his life. All of that changed when it one short moment his wife and son were murdered. Since then he's avoided the Crossroads Crisis Center because all it does is remind him of what he's lost. Until one day a woman shows up claiming her name is Susan and has an eerie resemblance to his dead wife. She claims she doesn't know who she is, but then why is she wearing his wife's cross???

What worked for me:  The story was very fast paced and there really wasn't a time that I found myself bored with the story. I really liked the character Ben...he felt real in regards to his pain and why he avoided the Crossroads Crisis Center at all costs. I was touched by his vulnerability and at times my heart ached for all of the loss he had suffered. The storyline was pretty intriguing for the most part and I wanted to continue reading so that I could find out who really were the bad guys and who were the good guys. I liked Susan's (she goes by several names in this book) continued strength in her faith even when she had nothing else to anchor her to this world. I'm always amazed by those that never doubt!!  Her character made me stop and reflect on my own lack of faith and why I've never been able to just totally give up control over my life.  What didn't work for me: Many of you know that I don't mind at all reading Christian fiction...I just don't want it to be too preachy. Well, this one in my opinion, is a bit heavy in that area. The only place that you find it is with Susan/Karen/Kelly (all the same person). I understand why the author did this (I think), but for me it was just a bit too much. One other thing that was a little hard to believe was the inclusion of a bio-terrorist ring. I don't want to delve into this too much because it is a big portion of the plot, but at times it felt very contrived and frankly, not very original. With all of that being said, I still enjoyed my time spent reading this book. I read in the author's note that even though Vicki has penned over 23 novels, this is her first foray into Christian fiction. So, to be fair to her I'm not going to dwell on the heavy religious tones that appear throughout the book. I think she did this in order for the reader to truly understand what kind of person Susan/Karen/Kelly really was, that even though she couldn't remember details of her life, she knew in her soul that she was loved and known by God. I feel comfortable recommending this book to my friends and fellow book lovers. In fact, I think it would make a great book club read..the readers guide contains many thought provoking questions!!  I liked it enough to want to read the next in the Crossroads series which will be available Spring 2011.

Review: Love and War: Finding the Marriage You Dreamed Of

With refreshing openness that will grab readers from the first page, the Eldredges candidly discuss their own marriage and the insights they’ve gained from the challenges they faced. Each talks independently to the reader about what they’ve learned, giving their guidance personal immediacy and a balance between the male and female perspectives that has been absent from all previous books on this topic. They begin LOVE & WAR with an obvious but necessary acknowledgement: Marriage is fabulously hard. They advise that the sooner we get the shame and confusion off our backs, the sooner we'll find our way through.

LOVE & WAR shows couples how to fight for their love and happiness, calling men and women to step into the great adventure God has waiting for them together. Walking alongside John and Stasi Eldredge, every couple can discover how their individual journeys are growing into a story of meaning much greater than anything they could do or be on their own.


Guest Reviewer: Tracy's Thoughts:

I’ve read a few other books by John & Stasi Eldredge and I really enjoy the personal stories that they share, stories of the difficult struggles they have faced individually and as a couple. I appreciate that they put it all out there to help others work through their struggles. However, I was disappointed because so much of the information in Love & War was a repeat from other books I’ve read (Captivating and Wild at Heart). This book is written for couples so it covers both the strength of men and the beauty of women. It is my opinion that you should read this book first.

One of the most profound lessons of Love & War for me was that a couple’s heart is to fight a great battle TOGETHER. So many times we get stuck in a rut and focus on the day to day things that must be done. Our focus should be on what we want to accomplish together. The Eldredge’s point out that if we don’t find a great battle to face together, we will start one with each other.

Love & War also discusses the ways that Satan attacks our marriage by playing on our weaknesses and our past. But as Christians we need to remember that when we become complacent, GOD also sends disruptions. These disruptions are meant to be a wakeup call to refocus our efforts together.

It was just a nice reminder that true love always puts others first. If I spend more time finding ways to love my husband and working on the log in my own eye, I won’t have nearly as much time to focus on all of the things he’s done to “wrong me”.

*** Many thanks to my friend Tracy for reading and reviewing this book for me.

This book was provided for review by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

To learn more about or purchase these books at RandomHouse.com:

Review: The One Day Way

The One Day Way by Chantel Hobbs
Summary:
The One-Day Way produces lasting results by taking you back to basics. No more complicated weight-loss strategies. No more expensive diet plans that achieve only temporary results. Instead, you will lose weight and get fit with Chantel's simple, high-energy meal plans and her at-home program for cardio exercise and strength training. She will teach you how to change the way you think, which leads to new actions. Before you know it you be strong, fit, and healthy. All it takes is doing things differently for twenty-four hours- and then repeating it.



My Thoughts:

Well, I'm pretty sure that everyone has at one time or another made a New Year's resolution to lose weight, eat better, and exercise. I know I have multiple times but somewhere down the line I sabotage myself and give up. There are several reasons why I really liked what the author was saying and I believe that if I follow her steps, I WILL be successful:

• She was over 250 pounds- she has been there!!
• I like the philosophy of One Day at a Time!! Don't plan out for 6 months....just be successful today!
• She concentrates on the inside and faith (not religion) How many of you have seen the new reality show with the winner of a past Biggest Loser? He gained back all of his weight...why? I believe it's because they only concentrated on the outside and not the emotional part of eating.
• You don't have to spend money!!!! No prepackaged foods...just a better way to eat!
• Stop setting up HUGE goals, and comparing myself with others...if I continue to do this I will not be successful. Instead, break big goals down into doable steps. Only compare my life today with MY life of yesterday or the day before.
• God validates me.....not other people!!!
• Stop dwelling in the past! Focus on today!

If you've found yourself struggling to lose weight and to keep it off, I would totally recommend this book to you. I'm very pleased that I signed up to do this book tour because I want to change my life and with this book, Chantel's website, desire, I know I can be successful!!! You may purchase this book at waterbrookmultnomah.com

This book was provided for review by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.