Book of Days – Book Review
![Book of Days Cover[1]](http://www.ibegat.com/wp-content/uploads/Book-of-Days-Cover1.jpg)
Cameron Vaux is losing his memory. It started out as a small annoyance—forgetting he’d written himself a note five minutes ago—but now it’s become a big problem—losing memories of his wife, killed two years ago. The creepy thing is, Cameron’s late father predicted this would happen. And when it started, his father told him to find the Book of Days.
Desperate, Cameron decides to fulfill his father’s wish and go look for the Book. A lead takes him to a small town in Oregon where he realizes dark secrets are at work. One man knows more than he’s telling. Others are seeking the Book and will stop at nothing to get it. And they’re closer than Cameron ever imagined.
Book of Days was a great book. It was easy to read with well-rounded, likeable characters, surprising plot twists, and moments of humor that made me laugh. It did lag a bit in the middle but not too badly. It was definitely worth reading. The theme of letting go of past hurts and stepping into the life God has for you in the present was woven throughout the book.
A couple loose ends didn’t seem to be quite tied up for me but they were small, definitely not big enough to bug me to insanity and make me dislike the book.
Overall, I’d give Book of Days four out of five stars. The only reason I’m not giving it five stars is because of the slow spot in the middle. Other than that, I recommend it for good characters and an interesting plot that kept me turning pages.
My name’s Danielle Dodge. I’ve found it’s a hard job to summarize fourteen years of life into a small paragraph so I’ll just mention a few things. I’m an avid writer and reader. I love to write young adult fiction/fantasy novels and devotionals. I’m a ballerina, a violinist, an amateur photographer and an amateur horseback rider. I like BIG words, bright colors, cats, and of course, chocolate. And if you didn’t guess already, I’m a born again Christian, follower of Jesus Christ.
Music Review: Colton Dixon – A Messenger
Colton Dixon rise in the music industry over the past year, began with his American idol Season 10 audition. He showered the nation with his voice and left impressions on every listener throughout his journey. He continues to make more impressions with his label, Sparrow Records. Colton’s first album, “A Messenger” contains uplifting, encouraging, and positive Christian music. It includes his hit song, “You Are,” which has been running through everything from radio stations’ set lists, to teens’ earphones.
The lyrics to Colton’s songs deliver a positive message to people of all ages, and share the message of Christ in a wave of love. In the song, “You Are,” Colton encourages people to know God as a healer and the light in dark situations. He shares in “Never Gone,” that God is always there and never leaves you alone.
Not only does Colton Dixon make musical impressions with his voice, but he makes a great role model for all. He follows Christ with all of his heart and boldly stands for him in our polluted world. He sings his passion for Christ powerfully. Colton lives to be a messenger and example through singing of God’s marvelousness. There is no doubt fans will continues to follow Colton Dixon throughout his musical journey.
Down to Earth Mystery: The Double Cousins and the Mystery of the Missing Watch
My Rating: Bucks: 
Reviewed by: Esther LoPresto
Written by: Miriam Jones Bradley
The “Double Cousins” are the children of a pair of siblings who both marry another pair of siblings. In this story, Carly and her sister Molly are the double cousins of Dorie, Max, and Chad.
All of the cousins enjoy visiting their grandparents’ ranch in Kansas during the summer. Grandpa Milton tells the kids a story about his grandfather’s brother who left Kansas in the 1800s for California. But he never returned. Grandpa challenges the kids to solve the mystery. Left with only a pocket watch, Carly and Max dive into the mystery. Questions arise even more when a homeless man, Slim, comes to work on the farm for the summer.
Packed with kid-friendly adventure and excitement, Miriam Bradley’s first mystery is fun for all ages. In the vein of the Boxcar Children series, the story contains no violence or any other kind of objectionable content, simply enjoyment and mystery. She also based the setting and some characters on her grandparents’ farm and her cousins. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!
I had the pleasure of meeting and making a friend of Miriam at Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. It is also a pleasure to review and help promote her book! (The author provided this book for review.)
ESTHER LOPRESTO
I am first and foremost a Scribe of the King. It is my desire to serve God through the written word. I have been creating stories since age three. I would tell them to entertain my family, but didn’t start writing them down until age eight or nine.
Since then, the need to write has been insatiable. At age nineteen, I had my first book, Where’s My Other Sock?, published by Tate Publishing. Then, I graduated from community college with a degree; not in anything writing related, but in accounting. Currently, I’m hunting for a bookkeeping job and working on several books or story ideas. In my stories, I challenge the reader’s imagination with adventures into the fantasy realm. Some stories lean towards mystery/suspense or general fiction, and I try to write for all ages. I find my inspiration from JRR Tolkien’s works and from the Randomness of everyday life.
SDG. (read more…)
Book Review – “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins
Daring, romantic, and dangerously death defying. The Hunger Games is absolutely the most exciting on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of book!
The main character, 16 year-old Katniss Everdeen, begins her story with having the responsibility of taking care of her mother and sister. To care for her family, Katniss and her best friend Gale, hunt and trap in the woods, an act forbidden to the Districts. Katniss and her family live under the evil rule of the Capitol, the rulers of the twelve districts. The real action begins with the coming of the annual Hunger Games. The Hunger Games occur because of a rebellion in the past from District 13. Now, as punishment, the Districts must send one male and one female, between the ages of twelve and seventeen to be given as tributes to the Capitol. The Capitol then takes the helpless children and puts them in an arena where they are to fight to the death. All the Districts are forced to watch on live television as the contestants’ battle it out. So when the sister of Katniss is called for the Hunger Games, Katniss naturally volunteers in her place. Katniss and the male tribute, Peeta Mellark, are rushed through frenzied appearances in front of the Capitol and then are sent into the arena.
The rest of the book is a heart stopping adventure as Katniss forces her way through the Hunger Games, along with Peeta Mellark, who Katniss has mixed feelings for. Only one must come out of the arena. But will it be Katniss? Or will she have to sacrifice herself to save Peeta from an untimely death? Find out in this three part series, The Hunger Games!
Interested? Intrigued? Visit http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/ to learn more!
BLAKE MOON
Son to a farmer, 16 year old Blake lives in rural New Mexico with his parents, two sisters and a brother where they raise cattle, wheat and 4H livestock. He can drive a combine, pull a plow and milk a goat! Blake is a veracious reader: Done with homework? Read a book. Free class time? Read a book. Road trip? Read a book! When he’s not reading, Blake is a very active leader in his school and community where he is President of his 4H club, a member of FFA, BPA, FCA, Student Council, FCCLA (in which he competed at a national level) and, his favorite–journalism. (read more…)
Interview with Tony Nolan, Author of “Hurt Healer”
Swaying to the music, you look up to the stage. Your eyes stay there as the music stops and a man takes the microphone. Instead of singing, he speaks words encouragement and comfort; words of conviction and guilt, and love and acceptance. He speaks words of life that pick you up from your low ground, and make you see God with all his glory and love. That preacher that changed your life, his name is Tony Nolan.
Q: I saw you at Winter Jam 2011 and you told a little bit of your story. Do you remember anything from before you were adopted, or have you been told what happened?
A: I mention in my book that I was young then and don’t remember much but it is amazing how your emotions have a photo graphic memory. I remember too much.
Q: What was your life like once you were adopted?
A: I look back and thank God for the things my new parents provided for me food, shelter, clothing etc…But we were pretty starved for love. The good times outweighed the bad times but the bad times were really bad; with a lot of fear, rejection and tension.
Q: When did you find Christ?
A: He found me really. 2-24-89 someone shared the gospel with me and it blew my mind. I had always thought Christianity was a sort of God club that I would never be able to join because I was not good enough but when I really heard the Gospel it showed me that I was welcomed in not based o my goodness but the g
oodness of Jesus! I was swallowed up by the love of God!
Q: How did your life change when you found Him?
A: He freed me from drugs and self sabotaging habits. He gave me purpose and direction and invited me to trade in living for my small story of ME for a vital role in the grand story of God!
Q: At Winter Jam 2011, you said that your adoptive father told you he wished he didn’t spend $200 dollars on you. Do you have any relationship with him now?
A: Do you have any relationship with him now? He passed away when I was 15 years old.
Q: As a kid, did you suffer any bullying because of what your birth mother was?
A: Yes, I was constantly beat up. I hid most of the time while I was growing up knowing that each day I went to school was just another day of pain and fear.
Q: How did you start traveling with Winter Jam?
A: I did an 87 city tour with Casting Crowns and God saved 46,000 people at it and Winter Jam heard about that and invited me to come and preach for them. It is an honor to serve my King in this way and He is the only reason it happens. I am a goober…but I sure serve a God who is mighty to save when we preach the Gospel.
Q: In your blog, there is an entry entitled “making a difference.” In it the is an e-mail from a guy who says hearing you speak is what led him and his friend to Christ, and then a couple years later his friend died in a car accident. He said “Even though Sarah is gone I know that if it wasn’t for God’s calling for your life she would be in a very different place right now.” How does it make you feel to know that God is using you in such a big way?
A: I am filled with wonder and awe at a god who is working in lives so that they can be prepared for eternity. He loves people and He wants them to know that. I have a great purpose in life keeping it focused on that very thing
Q: How do you keep in contact with all of the people who fill out the “I’ve Decided” section of your website?
A: I email them just like I am doing now. We have time in life for the things that are important to us.
Q: What is your job currently?
A: It’s not really a job it’s more of a calling…I just wake up each day and serve our Lord and he keeps showing me where I need to be.
Q: Does your family travel with you when you go places to speak?
A: Not all of the time but most of the time. it is very expensive to lease a Bus and I’m just a preacher…so that means I don’t have any major record company paying for it…but I do have a God who meets my needs…but every dollar I spend to have my family with me is worth it
Q: What was it like when you went to China to adopt Fei Fei?
A: It was an awesome adventure with God!
Q: Do you have any other kids?
A: Three others.
Q: If so, how old are they?
A: 14, 12 , and 8
Q: If they’re old enough to understand it, what do your kids think of your testimony?
A: they think God is awesome for saving their dad
Q: What was it like while writing Hurt Healer? Was it hard to write your story for everyone to see?
A: I bleed from my soul over that book. It was worth every drop of blood knowing that others will be inspired to move forward in the power of God’s love
Q: “Through the pages of his life story Tony Nolan challenges and encourages us to reach out fearlessly and let the hurting see God in us. Hurt Healer compassionately and practically gives you the goods to pull it off right now!” -Toby Mac, recording artist and author of City on Our Knees
How did you go about telling your story, but making it more than just a testimony?
A: I don’t know really, it’s not like a “Story” that I tell, its memories and they happened and they are filled with pain, joys and purpose….so I just wrote about it and people all over the country are finding it very inspirational. To God be the glory!
Q: What is your goal for Hurt Healer?
A: That every single person on the face of the earth would taste and see that the Lord is good and those that trust in Him are blessed!
Now that you’ve heard the amazing story of this inspirational man, don’t just sit there. I challenge you to go out and do something. Don’t let this not change you; don’t try to make God not speak to you.
HALEY FAYE SNYDER
I’m Haley Faye Snyder. I’m 13 years old and in eighth grade. I’ve lived in the same Christian home in Kentucky since I was born. I have one little brother and two loving parents. I go to Westport Baptist church and have my whole life. (read more…)
Book Review – “The Witness” by Josh McDowell
International Adventure: “The Witness” by Josh McDowell
(2 July 2010; 192 words)
Marwan Accad, a security agent, is the only witness to Rafeeq Ramsey’s murder. After some investigation, he becomes the prime suspect in the murder. Marwan goes on the run in a chase covering both sides of the Mediterranean. From Monte Carlo to Casablanca to Cairo, he relies on his brother Ramy and his friend Kadeen to keep him hidden from French Inspectors Goddard and Lemieux. Along the way, Marwan has to use false identities and he meets Dalia Nour who sends him into a whirlwind romance.
The descriptions in this book are excellent and the action is amazing! From page one, the reader is thrown into Marwan’s race to clear his name. Obviously, there’s a lot of violence involved, but it’s not graphic. There are also minor drug and alcohol references.
When it comes to Marwan and Dalia’s romance, again, nothing is graphic, but there is innuendo. The only thing I found odd about the book was some similar character names: Ramsey (the murder victim) and Ramy (Marwan’s brother); Colette (Goddard’s partner) and Claudette (Ramsey’s wife).
Overall, a great read if you love action and adventure!
(Tyndale House Publishers provided this book for review.)
ESTHER LOPRESTO
I am first and foremost a Scribe of the King. It is my desire to serve God through the written word. I have been creating stories since age three. I would tell them to entertain my family, but didn’t start writing them down until age eight or nine.
Since then, the need to write has been insatiable. At age nineteen, I had my first book, Where’s My Other Sock?, published by Tate Publishing. Then, I graduated from community college with a degree; not in anything writing related, but in accounting. Currently, I’m hunting for a bookkeeping job and working on several books or story ideas. In my stories, I challenge the reader’s imagination with adventures into the fantasy realm. Some stories lean towards mystery/suspense or general fiction, and I try to write for all ages. I find my inspiration from JRR Tolkien’s works and from the Randomness of everyday life.
SDG. (read more…)
DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Christian Movie Review
DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Christian Movie Review.
Casting Crowns with The Afters
CASTING CROWNS
The Afters opened up the concert on September 23, 2010. Among first song was their hit “Light Up the Sky” which got a very good response. Personally, it is my favorite song of theirs. In between each song the main singer, Joshua Havens, spoke about the songs and experiences in his life. When they finished up and cleared the stage for the Casting Crowns, the group I was with and I were left wanting more.
When Casting Crowns took the stage the majority of the crowd was on their feet. It was a truly uplifting experience. They sang “East to West”, “Praise You in this Storm”, “Until the Whole World Hears”, “American Dream”, “What if His People Prayed”, and “Voice of Truth” just to name a few. The main singer, Mark Hall, also spoke between some songs. It was fun to sing along, dance, and praise the Lord the whole time.
I could feel the Holy Spirit among us as we were singing praise to our powerful, mighty God. It was an awesome concert and I was left with the utmost respect for both bands.
HALEY FAYE SNYDER
I’m Haley Faye Snyder. I’ve lived in the same Christian home in Kentucky since I was born. I have one little brother and two loving parents. I go to Westport Baptist church and have my whole life. I accepted Christ into my heart when I was six and then re-committed my life to Him when I was 11 at Boones Creek Baptist Camp. (read more…)
Interview with Joe Kissack author of The Fourth Fisherman
THE FOURTH FISHERMAN: How Three Mexican Fishermen Who Came Back From the Dead Changed My Life and Saved My Marriage
Interview by Haley Snyder
When you felt the desire to go meet the fishermen, did you know that God was sparking the interest, or did you think it was your own curiosity?
From the very beginning of this journey there was something inside of me that drew me to this story. Here is what I mean: When I first heard of it, and the details were revealed to me, it sparked “my” curiosity, as you mentioned. But, when the parts about the men surviving because of faith, and that they had a bible they read, my curiosity was run over by this mysterious pull towards it. You have to understand that I didn’t really choose this; it chose me!
What addictions did you have before you found Christ?
I had become dependent on prescription medications used to relieve anxiety. I had also abused alcohol from a very young age up until 2001.
Before you found Christ, did anyone suspect your struggles?
Yes. Lot’s of people, including myself. Even before I was overcome by the addiction, I knew that I drank too much and over medicated all the time.
Did you grow up with both of your parents in the same home as you?
I was the youngest of four and by the time I came along everyone was already in “survival mode.” I grew up hearing the screaming matches and seeing the drunken fits of rage that is typical in many dysfunctional and alcoholic households. My parents stayed together in a very unhappy marriage for my sake until I was off in college.
What exactly is your job?
Right now I am a full time speaker, author, screenwriter, and producer.
Do you have kids?
I have two of the most wonderful daughters a father could hope for. In spite of being flawed as a parent, they have turned out to be amazing women. My oldest is 20 and my youngest is 17. Most of the credit goes to their mom, my wife, Carmen. She did an amazing job.
If so, did you have them before you found Christ?
They were nine and 12 when I went through my conversion experience.
If so, how have they responded to the change in you?
They thought aliens has landed and taken over my body. I looked the same; even sounded the same, but I was a different person on the inside and there were sweeping changes in our house around every topic. We stopped doing a lot of the things we had been and we started doing things very differently.
What from your childhood did you learn that affects you as an adult?
I grew up in a house where performance was king. We were expected to perform in everything we did at the best levels. We were to make the highest scores, make the fewest mistakes, and win.
How did meeting the fishermen impact your life?
They have taught me so much about faith; that you don’t have to be perfect to have great faith and recieve amazing grace and mercy. These are men that are regular guys. They are by no means perfect. But, when faced with almost certain fatality and the prospect of the pacific ocean swallowing them up forever in a few seconds, they soon realized that the only way they would survive this ordeal was to have faith that if God wanted them to survive, they would survive. And if He didn’t want them to survive, they were not going survive. In essence, they surrendered the outcome. But they didn’t just lay down and surrender. They got to work. They knew that they had a job to do. To eat, to stay as healthy a possible, and pray for the best possible outcome. The two men that died, did none of that.
How do you think your life would be different if you had been raised in a Christian home?
I think everything in my life would be different. I think there is a good chance that the pain I have suffered and I have caused others could have been greatly reduced, if not completely avoided. I’m not saying that I would necessarily change anything, because I think that I had to go through what I had to go through to get where I am, and for me, it was unavoidable. But I am positive it would be completely different.
How do you think your life would be different if your friend hadn’t told you about Christ?
I think I would be dead. God heard his pleas for my life and answered him.
In your blog you wrote “The wounds we suffer as children, cause us to make vows.” What vows did you make as a child?
I took several. One was that I would never strike, hit, or spank my children. If you ask them today, they just smile. But the biggest vow I took was in response to so many messages that I wasn’t good enough. I associated being good with success, so I took a vow that I was going to be successful at any cost.
What happened to make you make those vows?
It came from many directions. Words that pierce the heart: Don’t be a dummy; You throw like a girl; You’ll never amount to anything. When I was being beat with a fraternity paddle, I used to cry, “I’ll be good. I’ll be good”
How did that affect you growing up?
I was filled with fear, with shame, with guilt, and with anger.
How did your wife respond to you accepting Christ into your heart?
She was thrilled, but cautious at first, thinking it might just be a phase. Soon she realized it was for real.
How did your wife respond to your adventure with the fishermen?
She thought I had lost my mind, and still kind of does think that.
How did your unsaved friends react to you accepting Christ?
This is kind of sad, but most don’t really want to have much to do with me any longer. We had less and less to talk about. I don’t really care about the latest sports scores or stock market rally. So we have drifted apart, and I have gravitated to men and women who share the same love for Christ that I do.
Did any of them find Christ in return?
Yes, a few have. But what is more amazing are the ones who found Christ before me, had drifted away, and were thrilled when I finally did!
Has how you do your job changed since you accepted Christ?
Yes, everything has changed. The center of my universe changed. I look, or try to look, at everything I do through the lens of Christ; as if He is with me 24/7. And not just beside me observing, but dwelling deep inside me at the cellular level with all of my very being.
Paperback: 194 pages
Publisher: Ezekiel 22 Productions; 1ST edition (2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0982691203
ISBN-13: 978-0982691205
http://www.thefourthfisherman.com
HALEY FAYE SNYDER
I’m Haley Faye Snyder. I’ve lived in the same Christian home in Kentucky since I was born. I have one little brother and two loving parents. I go to Westport Baptist church and have my whole life. I accepted Christ into my heart when I was six and then re-committed my life to Him when I was 11 at Boones Creek Baptist Camp. (read more…)
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