Exposure by Brandilyn Collins

This was a suspenseful book that I really enjoyed reading because I didn't have it all figured out in the first chapter. I'm not going to post a lot about the book because I don't want to spoil a great read for those of you who take pleasure in deciphering the clues the author shares. The story is well written and the characters are developed in such a way that you might like to be neighbors or friends with them. I will definitely look for more books by Ms. Collins.



Back of Book Says:


When Your Worst Fear Comes True

Someone is stalking Kaycee Raye. But who will believe her? Everyone knows she's a little crazy. Kaycee's syndicated newspaper column pokes fun at her own paranoia and multiple fears. The police in her small town are well aware she makes money writing of her experiences. Worse yet, she has no proof of any threats. Pictures of a dead man mysteriously appear in her home - then vanish before police arrive. Multisensory images flood Kaycee's mind. Where is all this coming from?


Maybe she is going over the edge.


The real danger strikes someone close to Kaycee. And her own disturbing incidents escalate. Are the two series of events related? Is she responsible for it all.


High action and psychological suspense collide in this story of terror, twists, and desperate faith. The startling questions surrounding Kaycee pile high. Her search for answers may prove more than she can survive...


Visit the author's website or blog.

Chapter 1 Excerpt


ISBN 978-0-310-27643-2
Zondervan

The Note II by Angela Hunt

I'm not usually interested in love stories, but I decided to read this because I read the first book The Note a few years ago and then I found the movie recently. I enjoyed the book more than the movie and will watch the movie for this book soon. I do prefer to read the book before watching the movie since I generally enjoy reading more than watching.

Back of the Book Says:

After covering the story of an ill-fated Pan World flight, newspaper columnist Peyton MacGruder returns to her job as the Heart Healer with two new loves in her life - Kingston Danville, a sports editor, and Christine Lugar, the daughter she surrendered to an adoption agency nineteen years before. When a reader challenges Peyton's advice to "let caution trump passion," Peyton determines to learn the reason behind the woman cynicism... and, in the process, discovers an answer to her own heartrending dilemma.

This book isn't typical of Angela Hunt's style. She generally isn't afraid to eliminate beloved characters or those that are on the verge of "getting it" which makes her books resemble real life. The first book, The Note ended in a way that left a measure of sadness although a lot of learning took place for the predominate character. The first movie ended with more of a happily ever after type feel which felt good, but isn't always the way life goes. Her books have more depth and offer suspense, but this book was pretty simple to figure out probably because the author wrote the book based on the first movie rather than the first book.

Discussion Questions
ISBN 978-1-4143-3295-6
Tyndale Fiction

I Wish by Robin Parrish

On May 15th I received a newsletter from Robin Parrish, a Christian, suspense, author whose work I discovered at my local library and it contained the following:

I wish life were simpler.
I wish so many of us didn't have to work so hard for so little.
I wish some of us didn't have to live with endless aches and pains.
I wish we didn't ever have to face tragedy, or hopelessness, or loss.
I wish our bodies and minds didn't deteriorate over time.
I wish there were never things that needed fixing, mending, or cleaning up.
I wish so many didn't have to live alone.
I wish my loved ones didn't have to worry or suffer.
I wish my little boy didn't have to grow up in a world that's going to bring him some measure of sorrow.
I wish feelings never got hurt, misunderstandings never occurred between friends, and hearts would never be broken.
I wish life was never hard.

But then... how could we fathom the beauty of spring if we did not first live through the stark, icy winter?It's not the pain that defines us, my friends. It's not what this world throws at us. It's the knowledge, the belief we hold in our hearts that this is not all there is. That nothing we go through is in vain.And that we are bought and purchased by he who is greater.

Robin

The Case for Christ: The Film by Lee Strobel

My friend, Laura loaned me a movie today that I look forward to watching - I usually prefer to read the book, but this time I'll be watching. I'll most likely read the book too...


Back of case says:

Based upon the Gold Medallion award-wining best-seller, The Case for Christ documents Lee Strobel's journey from atheism to faith through his two=year investigation of the Bible and the life of Jesus Christ.

Strobel, the former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, draws upon his investigative skills to examine the historical accuracy of the Gospels, the personal claims of Jesus and His resurrection from the dead. Is there evidence to confirm that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed, the son of God and the savior of the world?

This remarkable film features interviews with 10 leading Biblical scholars form North America and England, cutting-edge apologetics, and a compelling original music score.

2007 LaMirada Films
http://www.lionsgate.com/

Evidence for the Resurrection by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell

This is a book on my to read list like so many others. I feel inadequate at times when people ask some of these hard questions. Skimming through this book and Lee Strobel's book, The Case for the Real Jesus, I have found some great information. Check out these books to learn more.

Back of Book Says:


Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?

When Jesus died on the cross, it seemed that all had been lost. Death had won. But after three days in a rich man’s tomb, Jesus appeared… alive! The news was so shocking that his followers refused to believe it until they saw him with their own eyes and touched his wounds with their own hands. Then Jesus made an amazing claim: In the future, they would have resurrected bodies like his, bodies that would never deteriorate, age or perish. They would have new life without death or pain, in the presence of a loving God forever.

But can we believe his promise? For that matter, can we really believe that the promise was made by a man who rose from the dead? In this fascinating look at the claims of the Gospel writers and 2,000 years of believing Christians, bestselling author Josh McDowell and his son Sean invite you to examine the compelling and abundant evidence that Jesus Christ conquered death and the grave. And they challenge you to answer this question: If Jesus rose from the dead 2,000 years ago, what does it mean for me today?


Publisher: REGAL BOOKS
ISBN: 0830747850

A Cousin's Promise by Wanda Brunstetter

Wanda Brunstetter has a new Amish series that is similar to her other series and those of Beverly Lewis, but different. This book actually makes the Amish seem a bit more realistic that some of the other books that make them seem close to perfect. Wayne's mother has some overbearing and not too Christian attitudes which makes her seem more like the rest of the world. If you enjoy reading Amish fiction, give this new series a try.

I like to read Amish stories because I grew up close to an Amish community. When I go home to visit my family, I like to shop at the Amish grocery stores (very similar to whole foods or health foods stores near where I live now). The people are kind and willing to share from their knowledge. I appreciate their simple life.


Indiana Cousins Series

Book 1 - A Cousin’s Promise- March 2009
Book 2 - A Cousin's Prayer - Sept. 2009

Back of Book Says:

When a group of eight cousins and friends leaves their Indiana Amish community for a weekend getaway, a horrific accident brings them home forever changed.

Permanently disabled by the accident, Wayne Lambright struggles to take care of himself. He can’t imagine being able to be the kind of husband his fiancée, Loraine Miller needs. Determined to sacrifice his happiness to give her a better life, he breaks their engagement.

Loraine refuses to believe Wayne doesn’t love her anymore. But when her old boyfriend Jake Beechy returns from exploring the English world, Wayne does everything in his power to help Jake regain Loraine’s love.

For better or worse, Loraine wants to be Wayne’s wife, but if he won’t agree, should she promise her love to Jake? How will God work to bring Loraine the true desires of her heart?

Discussion Questions - Spoiler Alert

ISBN 978-1-60260-060-7

The Case for the Real Jesus by Lee Strobel

Check out this book by Lee Strobel if you have questions about Jesus and wonder what the truth really is then this is the book for you. Maybe people are asking you for proof regarding your beliefs that you take by faith alone - well here's some research to back your faith.

Back of Book Says:

Today, the traditional picture of Jesus is under an intellectual onslaught from critical scholars, popular historians, TV documentaries, Hollywood movies, bestselling authors, Internet bloggers, Muslim debaters, and atheist think tanks. They're capturing the public's imagination with a radical new portrait of Jesus that bears scant resemblance to the picture historically embraced by the church.

How persuasive is this new image of Jesus? Is it based on well-supported facts and arguments - or does it fade away when exposed to the hot light of scrutiny?

In this dramatic investigation, award-winning writer and former legal editor Lee Strobel explores such controversial questions as:

* Did Christianity suppress "alternative gospels" that portray Jesus more accurately than the New Testament?

* Did the church distort the truth about Jesus by tampering with early biblical texts?

* Have fresh insights and explanations finally disproved the resurrection?

Evaluate the evidence for yourself as leading experts grapple with the latest objections from today's foremost critics. Then reach your own verdict in The Case for the Real Jesus.

Find answers to your faith questions at Lee Strobel's website.

ISBN-10: 0-310-24210-X

At Home for the Holidays by Meredith Efken

I read this book after I read the third book in the series, but it was still fun to read about the endeavors of the characters I've grown to identify with and love. For a quick and entertaining read check out the whole series.

Book 1 - SAHM I am
Book 2 - @ Home for the Holidays
Book 3 - Play It Again. SAHM

Back of the Book Says:

'Tis the season to be jolly?

Sitting by the fireside, humming carols and knitting mittens…not! For these stay-at-home moms, the weeks before Christmas are anything but mellow. How can you balance housework, home crises and the husband without losing your mind? Plug in your laptop!

Meet Dulcie, Zelia, Jocelyn, Rosalyn, Veronica and the rest of the women of SAHM I Am. An e-mail loop of stay-at-home moms, they’ve seen each other through months of domestic drama: babies who won’t come, bills that won’t leave, kids who won’t listen and spouses who won’t talk. Now, as the yuletide approaches, the SAHMs are on hand once again, bearing gifts of sisterhood, sanity, and the real Christmas spirit.

Discussion Questions - Spoiler Alert

Author’s Webpage

ISBN: -10: 0-373-78570-4

Free Book

I received an email newsletter from ChristiaNet regarding an offer for a free book - Revolution in World Missions by K. P. Yohannan, the founder and president of Gospel for Asia, a mission organization involved in evangelism and church planting in the unreached regions of Asia. See ChristiaNet's email below:

Revolution in World Missions isn't really a book about missions. It's about what God can do with your heart when you let Him.

The book is free. And by that we mean completely free. No shipping or handling and no hidden fees.

So, there has to be a catch, right? Well, sort of. You need to give us two things. One is your mailing address, so we know where to send your free book. The other is your email address. We know you're wondering what we'll do with that. We don't blame you — we feel the same way about giving out our email addresses.

We will send you a confirmation email. We won't sell or rent your name to anyone and we won't get you on a spam list.

We're giving this book away because it changes people's lives!

Get the book for free.

For more information go to the website for Gospel for Asia.

Randy Alcorn's Monthly Giveaway

This month, Randy Alcorn is giving away a book gift set (The Grace and Truth Paradox, The Purity Principle, and The Treasure Principle) to three randomly drawn winners. All three books pack a powerful punch. To learn more about Randy's non-fiction books check his website.

To enter this months drawing: Leave a comment on Randy's post by Friday, May 22. The three randomly drawn winners will be announced in a blog post on Tuesday, May 26, so be sure to check back at Randy's blog to see if you won.

The Grace and Truth Paradox Study Guide
The Purity Principle Study Guide
The Treasure Principle Study Guide
The Treasure Principle Bible Study