11/9/2008Five Flamingo Award
Lauren Durough could be a spoiled diva, she comes from a life of privilege and wealth but she chooses a state college over the family Alum Stanford, and she tries to separate herself as much as she can from family, but still being a part of her family.
She is intrigued by a posting for a job at college for an elderly lady Abigail Boyles, in transcribing a diary that has been in the Boyles family for a very long time. It is the diary of Abigail’s ancestor Mercy Hayworth who was a victim of the Salem Witch Trials. Abigail determined that it could only be transcribed by a strong woman. Lauren fits the bill.
As she goes through the diary, Lauren is inexplicably drawn to the young woman on the faded pages, and as she watches the hysteria unfold around the Salem witch trials Lauren is wrapped in Mercy’s misery.
Abigail has a mystery of her own that Lauren learns of through the housekeeper. When Abigail goes missing and the search goes on, Lauren is sort of haunted by images of Mercy. (But haunted is not the correct word, it’s not ‘spooky’.)
In the midst of all this Lauren sees that maybe she’s been too judgmental and is enlighten about her own faults.
The Shape of Mercy is a story in a story in a story. Told between the diary of Mercy and then modern day Lauren, Meissner weaves real stories that had me thinking about it after I had finished. Not many books do that. I would love it if Mercy’s diary was made into a book of its own…and I understand the author is setting up a website for web extra’s.
In the meantime I highly recommend this book and chose it as the first book of my new Inspirational Book Club. Meissner is a stellar story teller.
ISBN-13: 9781400074563 FIVE FLAMINGO CHRISTMAS READ
The Red Glove Series is fast becoming a holiday tradition in my Christmas and having all four in the Hardcover volume starting with Gideon’s story, then Maggie’s, Sarah’s and ending with Hannah’s is the perfect gift to yourself, your family or anyone who loves to read, loves God, someone who needs a glimpse of God’s miraculous grace, or just wants to read a good Christmas tale.
Each of these stories has their own special message, but I would say that Sarah’s story is my favorite.
Every December Sarah Lindeman anticipates and prayers over her annual ceremony. It’s almost too much to hold in the excitement, when it’s time she takes out twelve handmade faded and yellowed with time paper ornaments and for the 12 days leading to Christmas she will place one of those ornaments each day on a small plastic Christmas tree. She’ll hum her song. The song is about Sarah and her Sam’s lifelong love that almost wasn’t.
Sarah’s life in the nursing home is hardly much. Sam is dead, waiting for her in heaven. But as much as her body is deteriorating, Sarah’s work on earth isn’t done yet. She knows God has someone special to listen to her song this Christmas. One final season, one final song, one final miracle. But, when it’s time to start, Sarah’s not sure who God is sending. She begins anyway.
Beth Baldwin works in a nursing/retirement center. Her marriage is all but over and she plans to tell her husband she’s leaving. When she does, he asks her to stay until Christmas, if not for him, for their daughter. Beth has little extra time to spend with Sarah Lindeman and her handmade Christmas ornaments, but she loves the song Sarah hums, and when they begin to talk about the story behind the ornaments and the song, and Sarah promises to divulge a very important secret, Beth can’t get the haunting melody out of her head. And of course, the Red Gloves are in the story at a pivotal point. Maybe God will put one more miracle into the Baldwin family life this Christmas season.
It seems any Karen Kingsbury book is an eye-leaking, heart-wrenching, soul-lifting affair. I read her books with tissues close by. Please take some time out this busy Christmas season and cherish the stories, the people in these simple stories. You won’t be sad you did.
Highly recommended. 11/6/2008
Camy’s tag line is Romance with a kick of wasabi. Everything from the beautiful covers, to run through themes, to the books cultures are real and tangible. Her characters cousins Lex, Trish and Venus battle real life issues and try to just find a way in this odd world. Supporting characters (and you have a variety to choose your favorite from) become beloved as well. As each heroine attempts to make life more Christ-like those around don’t go along with the changes so easily.
Light and breezy as ‘lit’ types books should be, the Sushi series books are also spiritually relevant in today’s me-obsessed society. The solutions to these women’s life troubles are found in the Word and in being obedient to Him. Not an easy thing to do.
 First Book: Sushi For One: Lex Sakai is unhappy with some things in life but content in other areas. When her cousin announces her upcoming marriage Lex and the other cousins joke about getting the families most dreaded title… “Oldest Female Single Cousin.”
When her feisty and controlling grandma coerces Lex into having a date for an upcoming family wedding Lex searches scripture and using the book of Ephesians makes a list of perfect man traits to help her find a date. When a non-believer, non-athletic, guy Aiden shows up, and keeps appearing like a bad penny, Lex doesn’t know what to do. She has the list but it’s only getting longer. If she doesn’t have a date grandma will drop funding the volleyball team Lex coaches, but the only taker seems to be Aiden, and he used to date her cousin Trish. Lex is sure this can’t be the right guy. Right?
ISBN: 0310273986, ISBN-13: 9780310273981
 Second Book: Only Uni Biologist Trish Sakai needs a change. She’s managed to make a mess of her life by her bad immoral choices. When bad things continue Trisha thinks God is punishing her for her promiscuous life style. With words from First and Second Corinthians, Trish creates three simple rules to follow. The first rule is to stop looking at guys, two is to date only Christians, and three is to remain in God when the going gets tough. She finds her ex-boyfriend handsome Kazua still tempting and the fact that he’s still apparently hot for her tempts her at every meet. Spenser, Trisha’s very handsome coworker makes the moves on Trish but she immediately quotes her new rules and he is turned off immediately. But then, the two men start to vie for her attention and it’s increasingly difficult for her to adhere to the rules. Couldn’t God have helped out a little bit? Trish is trying to do the right thing after all….
Readers will enjoy the story as Trish struggles with everyday issues while still trying to remain godly. I think these are some of things every Christian woman battles. And, I wonder if there is any believer who hasn’t tried to bargain their way right with God? ISBN: 0310273994, ISBN-13: 9780310273998
 Book Three: Single Sashimi: Venus Chau is a video game developer looking for investors. Drake Yu was once her enemy and now, years after their last meeting, he calls and offers her a job with his sisters company. Venus would rather never see her dream come true than work with or for Drake. Then, her grandmother tosses a little bone into the mix. She promises Venus a meeting with a high powered investor if she will do this short term job with the Yu family. Grandma is determined to see all her grandchildren matched up good or bad. If she’s working for the man she hates, will she be able to see that he is maybe not the man he used to be? .
ISBN: 0310274001, ISBN-13: 9780310274001
11/4/2008
ISBN-13: 978-1590527252
New Birth or Rebirth? Jesus Talks with Krishna addresses the fundamental (and really different) views between Christianity and Hinduism.
Speaker/author/Christian apologetic and native of India, Ravi Zacharias explains, with wisdom, wit and a wealth of knowledge the differences using Subramanian, a real-life twentieth century Hindu pondering life via a mock conversation between Krishna and Christ in the city of Krishna’s hometown Mathura, India. (Just the setting alone shows the vast differences in the two religions, never mind the differences between the two central individuals of each religion.) Richard, is another character who poses questions from time to time, including the big one.does it really matter what I believe?
There has been recent speculation that there might be a Christ/Krishna connection because, superficially the two have similarities. But, as Ravi explains, once you go beneath the surface the changes are evident and make an eternal difference to believers.
Ravi addresses through this ‘conversation’ between Jesus and Krishna issues such as Karma, reincarnation, eternal life, nothing is a sacred cow. Ravi’s revelations are engaging and pierce the mind and soul of the reader.
I think the book is good not just for Christians, but for any student of life who truly seeks answers of the heart, soul and mind and issues that make an eternal difference.
Highly recommended.  10/13/2008
 ISBN-13: 9780800718978
Dr. Patrick Bowers, FBI geospatial agent and crime solver, is almost glad to investigate a series of arson fires. Not so much because he loves the job, but because he’ll get to spend more time with fellow Agent Profiler Lien-hua Jian. Along with Ralph another agent, it’s not long before they determine that these fires need further investigating.
Patrick’s 17 year old step-daughter Tessa is rebellious and skeptical of Patrick/ When he decides to take her along on this arson job, he is determined to make the relationship work, although she remains dubious. Tessa has a unique ability to hone into situations and proves she’s mature beyond her years as she helps Patrick sort things. However, she is not with her 17 year old drama.
Danger continues to permeate Patrick’s situation, finally becoming critical when Tessa’s life is at risk.
Patrick Bowers sees so much evil he doubts there exists a loving God. None the less, his deceased wife was sure that such a deity existed and she devoted herself to him. When the situation gets desperate, Patrick does call out to God. Although Patrick still searches, it seems he wants to believe.
The Pawn and The Rook are both good reads, but I much preferred the plot development in the Rook.
The Rook earns a Four Flamingo read.
 ISBN:97815995544810
Fiddler Falls is a self sustaining place, with only a few satellite phones connecting them to the world. It’s small, fewer than 300 in population, and it’s so north, that when winter comes, roads are often washed away leaving no link to the outside until spring. This is the setting for suspense novel Deadfall.
John Hutchison (Hutch) and three buddies, David, Terry and Phil are dealing with stressful life situations and decide to vacate to the Canadian north for some Caribou hunting and man-camping. It’s going to be an unforgettable time.
Psychopath and wealthy Declan Page, has little use for social norms. He’s developed a weapon called the SLCR (Slacker) that uses video gaming technology. He wants to perfect it. He invaded Fiddler Falls to video tape the SLCR abilities. With his posse, Declan begins to blast citizens of the town, resetting the SLCR to the perfect the obliteration of a human body, making sure to leave no one is left alive. But, all is not peaceful in Declan’s posse as some take offense at his treatment of the town’s people.
Hutch and Declan have a deadly encounter which is the beginning of a mad rush to save innocents from a diabolical murderer.
Deadfall takes popular gaming to a new level, but the plot is much more than that. The whole idea of being trapped/killed runs from the title through the whole plot.( Deadline is the name for a rustic trap often used by hunters and survivalists.) Hutch and his friends are definitely being hunted, and/or trapped.
I love Robert’s previous books Comes a horseman with its quirky characters, Germ with its too real premise, and I did enjoy Deadfall as well, although, I admit, I flipped a few pages in the middle. Sorry! But, the plot and the well developed sympathetic characters kept my interest and kept me reading. There is one character that just about broke my heart! I kept thinking - he needs a hug!
Deadfall earns a Four Flamingo read rating.
8/30/2008
 
BLOOD BROTHERS
Rick Acker
978082542007-8
Kregal
Two brothers. One product. Greed. Intrigue. Danger. Evil. Good. Karl and Gunner Bjornsen. Brothers are advisarial partners in a pharmaceutical company who have developed Neurstim a miracle drug that increases productivity, intelligence, and creativity. Made from the seeds of an extinct Norwegian tree, the drug is not yet approved for human use. When some of the animal subjects have adverse reactions to the miracle drug, the evidence is ruined. So, the FDA unwittingly approves the harmful drug for human use.
Gunner and Karl are at such volatile odds with one another Karl has Gunner ousted from the company. Only trouble is Gunner developed the new drug and took the recipe with him, in his mind. Ben Corbin Esq. is Gunner’s lawyer. As soon as he starts digging into fact finding he has no doubt that this brotherly battle runs deep and is dangerous.
On a fact finding mission in Norway, Corbin and his wife face obstacles they have never had before and it is clear that their lives are on the line. Someone doesn’t want them to discover what lies in Bjornsen brothers Norway Company. And it’s race against time to uncover the truth about the drug, and save their lives.
I try to give a book at least three attempts before I write a review. I did have trouble getting into this book. I’m glad I didn’t give up though. If you like medical type thrillers with hefty doses of espionage and intrigue you will certainly not be disappointed with Blood Brothers.
5/22/2008
Author Jule Lessman's offers a succulent read in her debut novel, A PASSION MOST PURE. Within these pages lies all manner of sibling rivalry, evil, passion, and of course, purity.
We find the Boston O'Conner family in turmoil as one sister breaks every rule and one sister tries her best to obey all the rules. But when it comes to matters of the heart and scandalous Collin McGuire plays the attention up well.
The book starts in Boston, but travels to Europe and covers a gamut of settings, feelings, relationships and emotions. But, carefully threaded through all is a faith thread, which draws everyone close and closer to God.
I guess there was a lot of upset people because Ms. Lessman actually uses real sexual sorts of feelings....and many, I suppose, like to deny that those things happen. But this is a real book, with real people well, acting real. I loved it and it earns my first historical Five Flamingo Rating.
5/7/2008
A Novel of Fakes, Faith and a love that lasts forever.
 Kristin Billerbeck's latest offering earns my first Five Flamingo (meaning PERFECTO) award!
Her writing excels with each book and Trophy Wives Club could easily be a cross over book, delighting both CBA and ABA readers.
Trophy Wives Club tells the story of Trophy Wife, Haley Cutter. A young princess of Hollywood, she married Jay Cutter to live Happily Ever After in their lavish yet superficial world of movies and high finance. Seven years after the I Do's are said, Jay dumps her. She is no longer of value to him; he needs something different (shinier, newer, etc)
Hayley is suddenly without a home, very limited finances and having to deal with a pompous Christian lawyer, Hamilton Laird, who is more than ready to repeatedly let his disgust of divorce be known.
She is somewhat surprised when Hamilton leads her to a church Bible Study group of divorced women called the Trophy Wives Club; where each member struggles to understand the new life they now live. Hayley isn't a strong Christian, and she needs help with life. Not just spiritual help, but the basics, how to get a credit card? How come he's calling all the shots? What are her options?
While Kristin addresses divorce in her book, the story is after all based on it, she doesn't apologize and her characters deal with the 'sin' effectively.
I think the reason the book resonated so strongly with me, besides the delightful characters and intriguing storyline, is because divorce has closely touched my family this past year, and I've been appalled by the Christian community's general response to divorce. It's weird. Whatever happened to hate the sin love the sinner? When did divorce become the sin it's okay to hit people over the head with again and again?When did Jesus proclaim divorce the unpardonable sin? I missed that one.
I like Kristin’s approach - while biblically addressing the subject, she allows for the human element to be considered. Hayley's journey is not simple, and it's not easy, but it sure is fun to walk with her, away from bondage into freedom in Christ.
4/20/2008
 This will be the home of all things book. Reviews, interviews, news, all will be posted here. Using a five flamingo rating system 1 being the worst and five being the best ever, I will attempt to make the reviews real and honest, so you, the reader, won't be wasting bucks on books you won't enjoy. Which is not to say that a book I give one flamingo to is not a good book, it just wasn't a good book for me. !!
I'm still working on getting the flamingo graphics down for this particular venture. Lance has done an awesome job on this site, but I am trying to learn as much as possible so he doesn't have to keep on doing it. he's a wonderful husband. sigh...
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