Worth A Read

Visit the author online at http://www.phildavidsonbooks.com/.

Visit the author online at http://www.phildavidsonbooks.com/.

Dreamer, a suspenseful novel by author Phillip L. Davidson, is not your typical Christian fiction book.  There are some moments of rough language and some situations that can be viewed as paranormal.  This is not the type of “easy-going” Christian romance that I normally read and review.  However, I am open to trying new things.  And the fact that main character David Elliot is motivated, at least in part, by his intense love for his wife made this book worth reading.

This book is action-packed.  If you like something fast-paced, this one will be well worth your time.  My only issue with it is the language.  I realize that in wartime, the language used is much different than what I am used to using and hearing on a daily basis.  However, if a book is being marketed to a Christian audience, I do feel the author should take that into account and tone down some of the language used.  Though I enjoyed the story line, the language alone will keep likely keep this book from making it my “read again” shelf.

Lynn

 

 

About The Book:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dreamer-Phillip-Davidson-ebook/dp/B00EZVKPFU/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dreamer-Phillip-Davidson-ebook/dp/B00EZVKPFU/

Is the Dreamer good or evil? As war looms between Britain and Argentina over the barren Falkland Islands, Major David Elliott is having nightmares. Long ago, in a dark jungle near Cambodia, he failed to do his duty. That duty was to execute a member of his team. David’s weakness eventually led to his team’s capture. Tortured by the Viet Cong, they revealed the dark secrets of the CIA’s Phoenix program. Forced to leave the service in disgrace, his men now live in the ‘darkness’. What do the dreams mean for them? David’s wife, Sonia, sees them as harbingers of evil things to come. A revolutionary in Argentina before the war, she escaped to America and became a citizen.

Now, Captain Alvarez, head of the Argentine Secret Police, wants her back. He devises a plan that lures her into returning to Argentina where she is imprisoned on Los Estados Island. Meanwhile, a mystical creature has summoned David and his former team to gather once more to honor the ‘covenant,’ a pact they made with each other when they believed their lives were coming to an end. Together, with an errant priest, Father Perez, they reluctantly agree to assault Los Estados and free Sonia. As they travel across Mexico, Central and South America, they encounter the CIA, Contras in Nicaragua, the M-19 narco-terrorist group and the United States Navy; while all along being shadowed by the mystical entity. Is the entity God or Satan? Will submitting to the will of the entity allow David and his men to stand in the light of men once again? Is the Dreamer good or evil? You decide.

Dreamer is a tale of redemption, honor, courage, belief in God and betrayal! If you enjoy military fiction, this book is for you.

MIRACLE PLAY Coming Soon!

It’s been a while since I have updated this blog.  If you are a regular reader, you already know that!  At least, I hope you have noticed that I’ve been gone for a while….

Anyway, there are a lot of reasons that I haven’t been here in a while.  One of those reasons is because I have been busy writing a couple of novels.  The first one, MIRACLE PLAY, has been sent off to the publisher!  It will be available for sale on April 5, 2012.  I am real excited about this book.   I recently told a friend that the fifth novel is just as exciting as the first.  ”It’s kind of like the feeling of having a new baby, only without the morning sickness, swelling, and pain.”

This time around, I’ve done something that I never have before–I made a trailer for the book.  I’ve thought about doing it before, just have not actually taken the time to do it.  My trailer is available on YouTube.  I’ve added it here so you can find it easily.  Please let me know what you think of it.  You can can share your feelings on the trailer and book here or right on YouTube.  Either way, I am eager to hear what you have to say.

Award Winner WHY GOD MATTERS

Why God Matters

In June 2010, I had the pleasure of reviewing a book written by a father-daughter team of authors.  The book, Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life, was probably not something that I would have picked off a shelf to read.  However, it is one that I am glad I read.  Though this book was written by two Catholics, it is a good book for any Christian to read.  It is a great guide of how to see God in the small moments of life.  You can read my review of the book here.

Recently, I received the following note from one of the authors, Karina Fabian.  I’m so excited to hear about the award this amazing little book received.  Hope you are too!

Dear Friends,

We just found out that Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life won the Christian Small Publisher Association Book of the Year under the Christian Living category. We’re very excited that our little devotional is touching lives so well that people cared enough to take time to vote for us.  However, since this is a popular award, it depends as much on publicity as quality of the book—and that came from your efforts!

My dad, Deacon Steve, and I wanted to thank you for hosting us on tours, reviewing the book, and letting folks know about Why God Matters.  We would not have won this award without your help.

I’ve attached the press release along with the award icon and book cover in case you want to share the news.  Regardless, you have already done so much for us, and we are very grateful.  May God bless you and yours in the big things and in the everyday.

 

Blessings,

Karina Fabian

www.whygodmatters.com

Karina and Deacon Steve, I am so happy for your success.  I pray that God continues to bless you as you follow the path he has laid out for your lives.

F.M. Meredith’s ANGEL LOST

Synopsis of ANGEL LOST

 

ANGEL LOST by F. M. Meredith

As plans for her perfect wedding fill her mind, Officer Stacey Wilbur is sent out to trap a flasher, the new hire realizes Rocky Bluff P.D. is not the answer to his problems, Abel Navarro’s can’t concentrate on the job because of worry about his mother, Officer Gordon Butler has his usual upsets, the sudden appearance of an angel in the window of a furniture store captures everyone’s imagination and causes problems for RBPD, and then the worst possible happens—will Stacey and Doug’s wedding take place?

 

Biography of F.M. Meredith

F.M. Meredith, also known as Marilyn Meredith, is the author of nearly thirty published novels. Her latest in the

Author F.M. Meredith

Rocky Bluff P.D. crime series, from Oak Tree Press, is Angel Lost. Marilyn is a member of EPIC, Four chapters of Sisters in Crime, including the Internet chapter, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. Visit her at http://fictionforyou.com and her blog at http://marilymeredith.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Angel Lost Missed the Mark

Police Interceptor of the Los Angeles Police D...

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Angel Lost is the story of the police department of Rocky Bluff, California. The story focuses on Detective Doug Milligan and his fiancée Officer Stacey Wilbur and takes place in the weeks leading up to their wedding. They are by far the only members of the police department who have interesting happenings in their lives. The troubles range from facing a long-term illness of a mother to dealing with the aftermath of shooting a young suspect to tracking an exhibitionist appearing on the beach.

The author of this book, F. M. Meredith, shows thorough knowledge of what can happen between members of a police department. Her characters are very well connected to one another.

The problem with the book , at least for me, is that there are just too many characters involved in this book. It was not easy to keep them all straight. Some of the subplots didn’t seem to flow well, didn’t seem to fit in with the rest of the story. Perhaps if these subplots had been more well-developed, the story would have been easier to follow.

There are other places in the book—two in particular—where the storyline seemed to be dropped too soon. They left far too many questions in the mind of the reader. One involves the exhibitionist on the beach—when he is finally found, comments about his past are made and then he is forgotten. In another section, a crime that is very important to the rest of the story just falls flat. The possibility that this criminal could have been connected to other similar crime is mentioned, but never really explored. The identity of the criminal isn’t even revealed.

Perhaps it is just me, but I think the title of a book should have something to do with the story. I still am not sure what Angel Lost has to do with the story. I suppose it could have to do with a kidnapping that occurs in the book or to an angel that appears in the lit window of a furniture store. It’s just something that didn’t make much sense to me.

Though this was not one of my favorite books to read, it did have potential. If the subplots had been developed more, it would have been easier to keep track of the characters and to care about what was happening with them.

Robert G. Pielke’s A New Birth of Freedom

    

My love of reading came from my mother. My love of history–and my tolerance for science fiction–came from my

Click here for an excerpt from the book

 father. These passions–and that said tolerance!–collided for me when I read Robert G. Pielke’s book A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor.

I LOVED this book! And that is unusual for me. OK, so it’s not unusual that I would love a book. It is just unusual that I would love a book that doesn’t have a romance in it. In fact, now that I think of it, I am not sure there were any female characters in the book. Not that it’s a bad thing. This book was just about perfect, even without a woman’s touch.

The problem that I am having is giving you a description of the plot without giving anything away. The best that I can do is say that the book revolves around a visitor from America’s distant future trying to save humanity by traveling to 1860’s Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.

What I liked about the book was the attention to detail. Historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee are described just as history books portray them. And I don’t just mean in their looks. Pielke brings the men to life with their mannerisms and personality quirks. It was done in such a way that it both men seemed very real. It was wonderful.

Another great thing about the book is that while reading it I didn’t often feel like I was reading. It was more like watching a movie. I felt like I was transported to the scene, watching everything unfold as the story was told.

The one thing I didn’t like was the ending. AARRUUGGHH!!! Talk about a cliff-hanger! It did set up for the next book in the series. I can hardly wait to have that book in my hands.

Read the author's blog here

 

 

Robert G. Pielke’s  Bio:
Robert G. Pielke, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, now lives in Claremont, California. He earned a B.A. in History at the University of Maryland, an M. Div. in Systematic Theology at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, and a Ph.D. in Social Ethics from the Claremont Graduate School.

He taught on ground and online for countless years at George Mason University in Virginia, El Camino College in California and online for the University of Phoenix. Now happily retired from “the job,” he is doing what he always wanted to do since he wrote his first novel at ten in elementary school. It was one paragraph, three pages long and, although he didn’t know it at the time, it was alternate history.

His academic writings have been in the area of ethics, including a boring academic treatise called Critiquing Moral Arguments, logic, and popular culture. Included in the latter is an analysis of rock music entitled You Say You Want a Revolution: Rock Music in American Culture. He has also published short stories, feature articles, film and restaurant reviews. His novels include a savagely satirical novel on America and its foibles, proclivities and propensities, Hitler the Cat Goes West, and an alternate history, science fiction novel, The Mission.

Most recently, he has updated and revised his book on rock music, which is being republished by McFarland & Co.

He swims daily, skis occasionally, cooks as an avocation, watches innumerable movies, collects rock and roll concert films, is an avid devotee of Maryland crabs and maintains a rarely visited blog filled with his social and political ravings. His favorite film is the original Hairspray; his favorite song is “A Day in the Life”; his favorite pizza is from the original Ledo Restaurant in College Park, MD; and he is a firm believer in the efficacy of “sex, drugs and rock and roll.” Somehow his family and friends put up with him.

Other helpful links—-

Paperback buy links:
Amazon
Barnes&Noble.com

eBook buy links:
Altered Dimensions Press
Kindle

Robert G. Pielke’s web site:
http://www.robertgpielke.com/

Robert G. Pielke’s blog:
http://www.bobpielke.com/

Robert G. Pielke’s Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/robert.pielke

Altered Dimensions Press web site:
http://www.sciencefictionpaperbackbooks.com/a-birth-of-new-freedom

Second Chances

Everyone needs a second chance at some point in his or her life.  Sometimes it happens as an adult, as a result of a bad decision.  All too often, though, it happens as a young child through no fault of the child.  And it happens to dogs, too. 

Second chances are needed by everyone.

Purchase SECOND CHANCE here

Sandra J. Gerencher explores this idea in her book Second chances: How Adoption Saved A Boy with Autism and His Shelter Dog.  As the title implies, this book is the story of what adoption means to one small family.  This family is Mom, Ryan, and three dogs—PJ, Shelby, and Little Rascal.  In the opening pages, the family adds Chance, a shelter dog, to their “pack.”  As he sees the unconditional love Ryan has for him, Chance learns what adoption is.

This book is interesting in that it is told from the perspective of Chance the Dog.  Ryan’s autism comes into play through his conversations with Chance—it is hinted at that Ryan rarely communicates vocally with people, yet he is able to communicate with Chance.  Ryan teaches Chance that it doesn’t matter that he was unloved before, he is special to someone.

While I liked the message of this book—that everyone, no matter what the circumstance of their early life, is special—I found that I was really confused by the book.  I looked at this as a book for elementary age children, but it seemed to be written for an older audience.  I tried reading it to my 3-year-old and 7-year-old sons and they were both very bored with it.  My 9-year-old, who doesn’t like me to read to him anymore, read the book himself.  He said he liked the pictures in it, but had a hard time following the story.  The book is nicely written; I am just not sure that it hits the intended target audience.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Awards:
PBS Kids Recommended title
http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/family/adoption/print_books.html

Book web site:
http://www.chancetheshelterdog.com

Sandra J. Gerencher Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1579236662

Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com

Tribute Books Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Archbald-PA/Tribute-Books/ 171628704176

Tribute Books Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/ TributeBooks

Sandra J. Gerencher is a special education teacher in the Bangor Area public school system. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked at Lehigh University in a school-based program, as a Program Specialist for adults with disabilities. Over the past 20 years she has worked with children and adults with special needs in such areas as counseling, Behavior Specialist Consultation, behavioral research, crisis intervention and abuse therapy. Sandra graduated from Lehigh University with a M.Ed. in Special Education (2004) and from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia with an M.S. in Counseling Psychology (1999).

Sandra J. Gerencher and her son Terry

Sandra J. Gerencher Bio:

Book Videos – The Writings of Robert G. Pielke

Book Videos – The Writings of Robert G. Pielke.

I just finished reading NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM: THE VISITOR by Robert G. Pielks and all I can say is WOW!  In all honesty, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to read this book.  I agreed to only because a friend asked me to review it.  I couldn’t put it down!

My review will be up in a couple of weeks.  In the meantime, take a look at the trailers for is on this website.  If you are a history buff or a sci-fi freak, you will love this book.

Christmas Twist

The night in history that fascinates me more than any other is the night when Jesus was born.  While the Bible tells us certain things–that the birth happened in Bethlehem, in a stable, that three kings from the east followed a star to that stable and that the birth was announced to shepherds by a group of angels–but there is so much we don’t know.  There are so many places where we can use our imaginations to fill in the blanks.  Cheryl G. Malandrinos gives her take on what might have happened that night in her book Little Shepherd.

This book follows Obed, a young shepherd barely five years old, from the hills where the angels appeared to the Bethlehem stable and back to his sheep.  Obed doesn’t quite understand everything that happens that night.  He is especially confused about why the shepherds are more concerned with seeing the baby the angels spoke of than protecting their sheep.

I really enjoyed this book.  Malandrinos did a wonderful job of capturing both the confusion and the wonder that Obed experienced that night.  I could easily picture the wonder in his eyes by thinking of one of my sons in his position.

As I write this review, my sons are fighting over the book.  The toddler loves the colorful illustrations.  The nine-year-old and seven-year-old are arguing about who gets to read it first.  Any book that captures the interest of all three of my sons has definitely earned its place on my bookshelf.

Cheryl Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor. A regular contributor for Writer2Writer, her articles focus on increasing productivity through time management and organization. A founding member of Musing Our Children, Ms. Malandrinos is also Editor in Chief of the group’s quarterly newsletter, Pages & Pens.   

 

Cheryl is a Tour Coordinator for Pump Up Your Book, a book reviewer, and blogger. Little Shepherd is her first children’s book. Ms. Malandrinos lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two young daughters. She also has a son who is married.

 

You can visit Cheryl online at http://ccmalandrinos.com or the Little Shepherd blog at http://littleshepherdchildrensbook.blogspot.com/. 

Christy Baldwin’s CARE FOR CREATION

I will be the first to admit that I am not a very “green” person. As a work-from-home Mom, I like to do things the quick and easy way. That often means just tossing unneeded papers and empty cans and jars into the trash. If the trash removal company I use offered recycling pick up, I’d be more likely to do it. I just don’t have the time to sort everything and then make a trip to the recycling center every week. Sure, I like the idea of unplugging things that are not in use to save energy (more out of a desire to lower my own utility bill than out of a desire to help the planet, I’m afraid), but that takes extra time, too. Recently, we did switch to CFL light bulbs, though. They were on sale when the light bulb in our living room burned out. Even the sale price wasn’t enough to make me want to buy the bulbs. It was reading on the package that CFLs last so much longer than traditional bulbs that made me want them. The longer the bulb lasts, the less often I will need to change it.

CARE FOR CREATION, by Christy Baldwin

Now that you know all of this about me, you might be surprised to learn that I volunteered to review a children’s book called CARE FOR CREATION. I know I surprised myself that I volunteered! Yet I was intrigued by the idea behind the book. How could Christy Baldwin, or any other author for that matter, possibly back up green living with the Bible? To me, it didn’t seem possible. I just had to read the book to find out.

What I found was a wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated book that not only gives tips on how to save energy and protect our planet, but a book that does give Biblical reasons for protecting the Earth. And it makes sense. When looking at this planet as God’s creation and a gift for our use, it really is hard to justify not doing all we can to protect the planet for future generations. What got to me most, I think, is the verse that Baldwin used to close her book: “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and does not do it, sins” (James 4:17).

At the very least, the book has given me a lot to think about. And I am sure as soon as my 9-year-old and 6-year-old get their hands on the book, I will have a couple of little guys telling me, “Mom, stop thinking and start DOING!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Writing has been a passion of Christy’s since she was very young. As a child, she loved to write stories for her grandfather and poems

Christy Baldwin

 just for fun. She lives in Mason, Ohio with her family and is active in church, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and volunteering with various organizations. Christy has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Cedarville University and a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Scranton. She is a stay at home mom who enjoys spending time with her kids and being involved in their schools. Her previous children’s titles include Nine Things Nathan Noticed at Night and Remembering Wilma.

For more information on author Christy Baldwin and her work, please see the following links
Book web site:
http://www.CareForCreationBook.com

Christy Baldwin Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001044000739

Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com

Tribute Books Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Archbald-PA/Tribute-Books/171628704176

Tribute Books Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/TributeBooks