The Sons of Jude by Brandt Dodson

Series- Sons of Jude

Genre- Fiction/Crime Thriller

Published by- Monarch Books

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 256

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-0-85721-205-4

Chicago detectives Frank Campello and Andy Polanski are sent to investigate the murder of Trina Martinez.  It seemed like an ordinary homicide until their investigation was halted by a wall of silence.  It was a wall that stopped their inquiry from continuing on.

They get help from reporter Christy Lee and the problems begin.  Andy Polanski is arrested, Frank Campello is threatened, and Christy Lee is attacked. 

This is the case that changes their lives.

Excerpt from the book!

About the Author-

Brandt Dobson lives in Chicago and comes from a long line of police officers.  He is also the writer of the Colton Parker series.

Writing is something he has wanted to do since he was in fifth grade.  He had no time when he had many different jobs.  He began reading Dean Koontz and then started writing and submitting.  After twelve years he was able to get the contract he wanted.

My thoughts-

Wow!  This book was action packed.  I could imagine everything that was happening and I could easily see that this book could be turned into a movie.

One of the best moments for me was when I learned of Andy Polanski’s faith.  It was subtle throughout the book, but I could see the calming effect that Andy had over his family and the others in the department, especially over Frank Campello.  The addition of St. Jude was great.  I didn’t know he was the patron saint of lost causes and I could see the lost causes in the story and how they had become both better and worse. 

If you like detective stories then this book is for you.  There are plenty of plots and you will never guess who is on the side of the bad guys! 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Sons of Jude by Brandt Dodson for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  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.

Rough Road to Freedom: A Memoir by Neil T. Anderson

Genre- Memoir/Christian/Religious

Published by- Monarch Books

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 272

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-0-85721-294-8

 

 

Neil T. Anderson has had many jobs, but his most important job has been to help people understand who they are in Christ.  In this book he talks about his childhood, the people he has helped, Freedom in Christ Ministries, and the importance of the Holy Spirit.

Excerpt from the book!

About the Author-

Neil T. Anderson grew up in Minnesota, served in the U.S. Navy, obtained a degree in electrical engineering, and has worked as an aerospace engineer.  He has also been a church pastor and seminary professor.  He started Freedom in Christ in 1988.

 

My thoughts-

I have mixed feelings about this book.  This book says on the cover that it is a memoir, but there was so much about other people and their problems that I didn’t learn much about Neil T. Anderson.

One of my favorite parts of the book was, “The Believer’s Identity in Christ” on page 124.  It showed different Bible verses and a short synopsis of each.  They made bookmarks of this and it has sold very well.  I’m glad that so many people are learning their identity in Christ.

The section on “Paradigm Shifts” was interesting, because Anderson says that he has people pray for themselves, before he prays for them.  I think that was a brilliant idea, because it has them focus on themselves and God.

This book was very interesting, but as a memoir, I’m not sure.  And there was so much about other people.  You will need to read it yourself to see what you think.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Rough Road to Freedom: A Memoir by Neil T. Anderson for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted. 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.

Mortal Fire by C.F. Dunn

Series- The Secret of the Journal

Genre- Mystery/Suspense

Published by- Monarch Books

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 382

Age Group- High School

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-0-85721-202-3

 

A young professor, Emma, has come to the United States from England to search for a journal that has interested her for years.  She gets more than she expected.  She makes new friends, has one man interested in her, is interested in another man, and that’s not all.  There have been attacks on campus.

She finds the journal and begins to read it, but will she be able the truth of her life and what the journal may reveal.

Excerpt from the book!

About the Author-

C.F. Dunn lives in England with her husband and daughters where she writes and runs a specialist dyslexia and autism school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My thoughts-

I have read this book twice and it gave me more to think about the second time.  I noticed more of the mystery and intrigue, especially that which surrounded Matthew.  I am very curious about him; he doesn’t eat, drink, or seem to sleep.  Emma is also an interesting character.  She becomes so dependent upon Matthew both before and after she was attacked.  All of the danger and the romantic drama made this first book in the series seem like the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer.

Emma believes in Christ, but she doesn’t seem to take advantage of the comfort that Jesus could offer her.  She seems to be really focused on protecting her virtue from Matthew.  It seems normal to me, but still strange to be protecting her virtue so much as she is so dependent on him.

I thought this book was good and I am looking forward to the next one.  You will have to read the book yourself to see what you think. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Mortal Fire by C.F. Dunn for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted. 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.

Should Christians Be Environmentalists? by Dan Story

Genre- Christian Life/Social Issues

Published by- Kregel

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 208

Age Group- Adult, High School

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $13.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4249-0

 

 

 

Does the Bible contain verses about environmental stewardship?  Are we as Christians instructed to dominate the earth or are we to be stewards of the land and resources?

Everyone blames everyone else, so who is to blame, is it just one group or all?  Are the Christians only to blame as some say?  This book doesn’t place blame, but shows us as Christians and environmentalists what we can do.

Topics include

• “Environmentalism: A Movement in Need of Religion”
• “A Bible-Based Theology of Nature”
• “Environmental Ethics and the Role of the Church” 

About the Author-

 Dan Story has been interested in nature since he went on a camping trip at the age of five.  He has been active in environmental organizations since the 1970’s.  He became a Christian in 1981 and has since then worked to combine being a Christian with his love for nature.  He has two children, four grandchildren and lives with his wife in California, where he enjoys being exploring the great outdoors near his home.

My thoughts-

Part of the year I live out West where the ranchers and hunters have a better understanding of what it takes to care for the land than do the people who live in other parts of the United States.  I think that environmentalism is important, but I believe that before a person supports something they need to know a lot about it first.  One such example would be the wolves in Yellowstone.  It is great to have them back where they used to be, but the elk herds have decreased greatly and there have to be a certain number of wolves outside of the park as well.  No amount of compensation from the government is going to be enough when the wolves kill your prized Pyrenees or other sheep dog, so other ways may need to be figured out.

This book was well written and I thought the subject matter was very important.  As you can see I have opinions on the matter, so I would like to be able to present them as a Christian and I would like to spread the message for God to the best of my abilities.  And this book helps me to begin to do that.

This book has reawakened my desires to really do more for the environment than I have been doing.  I am going to look into Christian Environmental groups and pass this book onto my sister.  Please read this book and then pass it onto others, so we can make this world a better place for us all.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Should Christians Be Environmentalists by Dan Story for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour. All links were current when posted. 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.

My Pop-Up Bible Stories by Juliet David and Illustrated by Daniel Haworth

Genre- Bible/Jesus/Children

My Pop-Up Bible Stories by Juliet David and Illustrated by Daniel Haworth

Published by- Candle Books an imprint of Lion Children’s Books

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 10

Age Group- Young Children

Description of book- hardback (contains cardboard pop-ups), list price $12.99, ISBN 978-1-85985-237-8

This Bible stories book includes five stories with fun and colorful illustrations.  The locations in the Bible are also mentioned

The stories come from the Old Testament and New Testament.  They are:

• Moses
• Daniel
• Jairus and his daughter
• The Shepherd and his lost sheep
• Jesus stopping the storm. 

About the Author-

Juliet David lives in London with her family. She has written Bible activity books and children’s stories. She enjoys traveling to Israel and other Bible lands.

My thoughts-

This was a cute book that was refreshing, because three of the five stories came from the New Testament.  It’s nice to read stories that aren’t usually in young children’s Bible story books.  My children and I enjoyed the unique stories, instead of ones like Jonah or Adam and Eve.

The three New Testament stories were excellent choices, because they show young children how important faith in Jesus is and how Jesus has helped people.  My favorite story was about Jairus, because of his faith in Jesus and the pop-up illustration of his daughter sitting up in bed.

I would highly recommend My Pop-Up Bible Stories as a gift for others or as a basic Bible study for young children.  Enjoy this book today!

What C (girl, age five, first grade) Liked and Disliked: I liked it.  It was good for kids my age.  I liked everything about it. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received My Pop-Up Bible Stories by Juliet David and illustrated by Daniel Haworth for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour. All links were current when posted. 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.

British History- Observations & Assessments from Early Cultures to Today (Teacher Edition) by Dr. James P. Stobaugh

Genre- Religion/Christian Education/Children and Youth History/Europe/Great Britain/General

Published by- Master Books, A Division of New Leaf Publishing Group

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 128

Age Group- Teacher’s edition for11th Grade

Description of book- paperback, list price $14.99, ISBN: 978-0-89051-645-4

Planned for eleventh grade, this teacher’s guide includes answers to assignments, grading criteria, and the weekly exam questions and answers.  It also includes the “first thoughts” that the student reads and the locations where the student can find the learning objectives in the text.

About the Author-

Dr. James Stobaugh and his wife have homeschooled their four children. He is an ordained pastor, certified secondary teacher, and SAT coach. He has written other books, including American History and World History high school history curriculum.

My Thoughts-

I thought the teacher’s guide was very handy to have, especially since it had the exam questions and the internet address where the questions could be found.  The student textbook had neither.

I don’t believe that the teacher’s guide is totally necessary if the teacher reads the text and is able to formulate answers.  This guide would be useful if essay questions were difficult for the teacher.  $14.99 is a lot to pay for a teacher’s guide when it only contains the answers.  I’m not sure if I would pay the price or not.  I’m sure I could just read the text and then grade my student’s work.  And I could download the exam questions from the internet.

I would recommend this book to teachers who need the answers to check against their student’s work.

Disclosure- I received British History (Teacher Edition) by Dr. James P. Stobaugh for free from Master Books. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I’m disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

British History- Observations & Assessments from Early Cultures to Today (Student Edition) by James P. Stobaugh

Genre- Religion/Christian Education/Children and Youth History/Europe/Great Britain/General

Published by- Master Books, A Division of New Leaf Publishing Group

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 272

Age Group- 11th Grade

Description of book- paperback, list price $24.99, ISBN: 978-0-89051-646-1

This book contains 34 weeks of lessons.  Each week begins with a summary, then continues with daily lessons of text and questions.  The week of lessons ends with an exam.

This textbook was written by Dr. Stobaugh and contains an historical account without revisionist or anti-Christian perspectives.  The text includes:

• Questions based on Blooms taxonomy
• Terms, concepts, and theories
• “History Makers”
• Independence for the student to practice independent learning

About the Author-

Dr. James Stobaugh and his wife have homeschooled their four children.  He is an ordained pastor, certified secondary teacher, and SAT coach.  He has written other books, including American History and World History high school history curriculum.

My Thoughts-

It is great to be able to find textbooks that are Christian based and help the student understand that God has been important in history.  This text was well written in each lesson.  It contained a view of British history that I had not been aware of, since I have always studied texts that contained a secular view.

The daily questions with the lessons are thought provoking and serve the point of the lesson better than true or false questions or multiple choice questions.  I find that essay questions often help me learn the material better than other types of questions.

The only thing I didn’t like about this edition was that it mentioned the weekly exams, but it made no mention of where to find them.  I was glad to have a teacher’s edition that contained them as well as mention of a website where the exams can be located.

This is an excellent textbook.  I would recommend it to all high school students.

Disclosure- I received British History (Student Edition)  by Dr. James P. Stobaugh for free from Master Books. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I’m disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.