Book Review: Catch of the Day by Jimmy Houston

Net Galley recently provided Catch of the Day by Jimmy Houston for review. Since my husband is an avid fisherman, I asked him to write the review for me.

I have always enjoyed watching Jimmy Houston Outdoors. Ever since I was a teenager, I would search for his program, so I could learn fishing tips and  become a better fisherman. When my wife came across his devotional gift book Catch of the Day, it drew my interest immediately. Now not only can I get great fishing tips, but I can also get helpful spiritual tips for my daily living as well.  Anyone who loves Gods word and catching fish will really find this book a source of help.

It was a good surprise to know that Jimmy Houston is a dedicated Christian. Many religious books today only focus on feel good issues. It is very obvious to me that though he really enjoys fishing, his first priority is his service to God. The world needs people with Godly convictions to challenge their lives.  I can see how this book could minister even to unbelievers. Because of the way he illustrates facts, knowledge, and experiences through fishing, he is able to show people's need to believe and apply the word of God to their lives.

This book would be a terrific addition to anyone who is looking for an inspiring devotional and who enjoys fishing and the outdoors.

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Couch25k

I woke up this morning at 5:25am and decided to start Couch25K...again. I've been thinking about it, but I always get up too late around 6:30am. And in Belize that is too late, lol. Sunrise is around 5:30am and by 7am it's HOT! Another thing that stops me is that I'd rather sit at the computer and plan starting than actually starting. But today I did it! No more excuses. It felt really good! I didn't get tired or anything.

I've done C25K twice before, so I know I can finish. It's just the the motivation to continue running that I need. So here goes!!!! I'll be putting some C25K playlists together and posting them. I hope you'll join me. Here are some links if you want to learn more:
Couch25K
http://www.c25k.com/

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Book Review: Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Hart

Great Book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Hart. The book started slowly, so I'm glad I was reading it in order to write a review, or I might not have kept at it. But it was definitely worth it. The author does a great job building the background story and making it believable. I liked reading the story from all the different characters point of view. My favorite character is Jackson. I love to read books about genuine conversions. His conversion is so similar to the conversions in my church fellowship. I was so happy to read a book that wasn't scared to mention REAL life changes that we must make as born again believers in Christ.

Book Description

Now that she’s arrived at the ultimate address, can Mary Lynn’s view of the harbor – and success – satisfy the deeper longings of her heart?

After decades of carefully working their way up the social ladder, Mary Lynn and Jackson Scoville are living their dream: a life of luxury and ease in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina. Jackson made a small fortune selling low country real estate, so now the couple is determined to provide for their three daughters the life they both longed for as kids.

But lately the long-forgotten God of Mary Lynn’s childhood has been trying to get her attention in ways so unusual that she can no longer deny His presence. When she prays for Jackson to open his heart to God, something radical happens. Jackson has a dramatic conversion that leads to street witnessing, giving away money, and inviting less-than-reputable people into their home.

Starring out into the harbor, Mary Lynn ponders whether or not she is willing to give up her life of luxury to join Jackson in his new-found faith. What would it look like to go “all out” for God…to allow Him to lead their family regardless of the cost? Just when Mary Lynn felt she had all the desires of her heart – she finds herself being called into a much bigger story of true faith and love.

Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Book Review: “The Voice: New Testament” from Thomas Nelson Publishers

The Voice New Testament almost reminds me of the Amplified bible or a teen study bible. I like the format as well as all the extras. This bible version has been criticized by others because it's a paraphrase, but since I like to read from several different translations this bible version works well for me. I wish I could buy some for the new converts in our church, but they don't sell it in Belize. Maybe when I go to the U.S. for conference.
I think it's a good bible to start with as long as you have a King James version or a New King James version to study with as well.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The Voice™ Bible translation is a faithful dynamic translation of the Scriptures done as a collage of compelling narratives, poetry, song, truth, and wisdom. The Voice calls the reader to step into the whole story of Scripture and experience the joy and wonder of God’s revelation. Created for and by a church in great transition, The Voice uniquely represents collaboration among scholars, pastors, writers, musicians, poets, and other artists, giving great attention to the beauty of the narrative. The heart of The Voice is retelling the story of the Bible in a form as fluid as modern literary works yet remaining painstakingly true to the original manuscripts. This translation promotes the public reading of longer sections of Scripture—followed by thoughtful engagement with the biblical narrative in its richness and fullness and dramatic flow.

This is an updated and revised version of the New Testament edition, now at an even more affordable price.

Features include:

• Italicized information added to help contemporary readers understand what the original readers would have known intuitively
• In-text commentary notes include cultural, historical, theological, or devotional thoughts
• Screenplay format, ideal for public readings and group studies
• Book introductions

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Book Review: Becoming Fearless: My Ongoing Journey of Learning to Trust God

I really wanted to like Becoming Fearless: My Ongoing Journey of Learning to Trust God by Michelle Aguilar. Let me just go on the record first and admit I have never watched "The Biggest Loser". However, I don't think that affected my opinion of this book at all.

When I first started reading Becoming Fearless it seemed like a good book, but as I read on I grew confused. The way the book was written caused too much back tracking and trying to keep the events in order. Instead of answering my questions, it just left me wondering - things just didn't seem to fit. For example Michelle stated that she had stopped attending church, praying, and having a relationship with her mother, but then we find her at church with her mother. Also, it seemed to me that Michelle used her family being in ministry to justify her feelings of anger and shame, but we come to find out her parents stepped down from ministry many years before her parents divorced. It would seem pride was more the problem then fear. 

For a book that is supposed to help us become fearless and trust God, it doesn't seem very honest. I would describe it as shallow. It seemed to be more about Michelle finding her "voice" and getting rid of her "co-dependent" tendencies (psychological jargon) than about trusting God.

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"Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door" by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler

Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler is a great book. It covers six major topics, but breaks them down into bite sized pieces. The topics are Myths about God, Myths about Jesus, Myths about the Bible, Myths about the Resurrection, Myths about Religion and Christianity, and Myths about Life and Happiness.
This book is aimed at Christian youth not necessarily unbelievers. I like the way it's set up giving an illustration and then bible verses and questions to help you dig deeper and think. (Brain Food) 


I really liked the Myths about Jesus section! This is a great book to read and discuss with your teenager.

Book Description

“Seven in 10 Protestants ages 18 to 30—both evangelical and mainline—who went to church regularly in high school said they quit attending by age 23, according to the survey by LifeWay Research.” (USA Today) 

Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door gives teens answers that make sense, even for the toughest of questions. Internationally known defender of the faith Josh McDowell and co-author Bob Hostetler offer clarity laced with humor to expose common myths about God, the Bible, religion, and life to show how Christianity stands up to the test of fact and reason. Teens will be better equipped to stick with their faith as they begin to understand why they believe and why it’s important to make a lifetime commitment to Christ and the church.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from BookSneeze. 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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Solitary by Travis Thrasher

I was recently given "Temptation" by Travis Thrasher to review. Since I have not read the previous two books and my 15 year old daughter has, I asked her to write the review for me. I do plan on reading the whole series, but I have to start with book one. My daughter said I wouldn't understand it without reading books one and two first. So here is her review:

This book was awesome and amazing, but it mostly left me hanging in the end.  If you like books that deal with the occult, mystery, suspense, salvation, Christianity, and making right choices, you will love this series. This book shows how easy it is to be tempted to do the wrong thing and then directed to do the right thing. Overall, it’s a really great book with a powerful ending that will leave you wanting more. I can't wait for book four!

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Book Review: The Corruptible (Mystery book with the hope of salvation!)

The Corruptible by Mark Mynheir is a great mystery book with the hope of salvation. I'm excited to read the next book in this series and find out how detective Ray Quinn gets saved and redeemed. Even though this book is book two in the Ray Quinn Mystery Series, you don't need to start in book one of the series to understand book two.

The main character, Ray Quinn, is a retired police detective who has his own private investigation company, Night Watchman Detective Agency. (If you're like me and enjoy a little sarcasm in your characters, you'll like Ray Quinn.) In our story Ray Quinn is hired by a wealthy (germaphobe) businessman to find company information stolen by an ex-cop. The story gets interesting when the ex-cop, Logan is found murdered. 

When I first started the book I felt like I was in an old Colombo t.v. episode, but as I kept reading the characters took on a life of their own. Having said that, I have to admit the book did start off slowly for me. Since I did enjoy this book, I'm glad I persevered and continued reading until the story picked up.


I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

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Book Review: Treasuring Emma

Treasuring Emma by Kathleen Fuller is not your average Amish romance book. The characters don't communicate like characters in other Amish books, and they definitely seem more real than how they are portrayed in other books. The women in the book struggled with trusting God (faith) and submission.  Another difference was how Emma was described as fat and plain.

I'm glad the author portrayed the Amish as sinners who need God's grace and forgiveness. Everyone must make their own decision to follow Christ. No one is born into a right relationship with God. We must all repent and have faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.


I enjoyed reading this book. Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description 

Emma has put everyone else first in her life. Now at nearly 25, has she missed her chance at marriage?
Emma was Adam's first love but circumstances made them both choose different paths in life. Emma's heart breaks all over again when Adam returns to the Amish community of Middlefield, Ohio, years later.

For the past ten years, Emma has been a care-giver. First for her mother who unsuccessfully battled breast cancer, and now for her grandmother who gets more frail with each passing year. Emma has always put the needs of others above her own. With more time on her hands, she determines to focus on herself and her dream of opening a rescue shelter for stray animals in the community.

With Adam's return come feelings Emma's long buried. They're older and life hasn't turned out the way they thought it would. Adam's feelings for Emma are stronger than ever, but will he be able to convince her to put the past aside and give their love a chance?

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Book Review: The Final Hour

The Final Hour is book four of the Homelander series. You definitely should read the first three books before reading The Final Hour. Even though this series is written for teenagers I thoroughly enjoyed reading all four books. My 14 year old daughter also read and enjoyed the books before I even started them. She was surprised with the way it all turned out, while I figured out the whole series at the beginning of the first book (age and experience factor in). But even with knowing how it would all turn out, I still enjoyed the ride. We definitely need more wholesome books like these for our teenagers with good and moral heroes. I just wish there was more written about God and a gospel presentation. For instance when Charlie is questioned about whether he's ready to die, his answer is not based on faith in Jesus Christ but on his own good works.

Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description

The Homelanders are attacking—and it's Charlie's last chance to stop them.
Charlie West was an ordinary high school kid who went to bed one night and woke up in the clutches of terrorists and wanted by the police for murder. He also woke up with no memory of the events of the last year.

His memory is returning now and has brought the terrible realization that he knows when the terrorists are going to strike next.

Whatever it takes, Charlie knows he can't give in or give up until they're stopped . . . even when the final hour is ticking away.

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