23 July, 2011

The Final Hour, by Andrew Klavan














The Final Hour is the fourth book in a series of crime and adventure entitled The Homelanders. It is written by Andrew Klavan, a renowned author of suspense!

Reader o' mine, I must confess that it is Dwight who read this book. I saw enough death and action to realize that it was not for me at a quick initial glance as I flipped through it. :-) So I passed it on to my courageous husband and he shared with me what he thought. Whew. Because quite honestly, Adventures in Odyssey is a bit too much for me at times... ! Give me Miss Potter any day.

He thought that this book was well written even though the plot was easily anticipated. He appreciated that it was a quick easy read and also that it did not contain the foul language so often found in books of similar content and intrigue. He expressed interest in reading the other titles in the series. He practically read this book in one sitting, so that must tell you something! He said that storyline is basically a continuation of the book's hero, Charlie West. as he seeks to confirm his innocence while stopping a vicious terrorist attack from coming to fruition (just in the nick of time!). Once again, wrong is avenged and the right is victorious... The end.

*This book was gratefully received from Thomas Nelson at no cost in exchange for my agreement to post this review.

Every Single Woman's Battle, by Shannon Ethridge













I received Every Single Woman's Battle: Guarding Your Heart and Mind Against Sexual and Emotional Compromise as a review from Waterbrook Press' Blogging for Books program. What I received for review wasn't the actual book (of that title) but rather the accompanying workbook. With that in mind, here is what I thought:

- Kudus to the author for writing on such a sensitive subject with clarity and grace, while at the same time managing to be straightforward and pointed. Since this book is simply the workbook and intended for personal or group study, I didn't have the opportunity to read the actual chapters, but found the questions and discussion ideas to be very practical. This as an area that the church is not to be niave about and we are to seek to be pure and glorify God through our sexuality, pleasing Him in all areas of our thought and life.

- I believe that rather than having the actual book and workbook be separate, they ought to have been printed as one volume. This is confusing and ends up costing the reader more in the long run. They need both anyways, so why not give them both to begin with?

- There is space for the reader to write in as they go through this study, but I don't feel that the publisher allowed for enough space. Make the book wider, bigger, etc. to allow for this to be usable. For a Bible study one would need to have the book, this companion workbook, their Bible, and then a notebook? Yikes... just too much.

I would like to see this improved upon by the publisher, and I am eager to read the actual book. (And then take another look at this workbook! ;-) ) I can see this being particularly life-changing and edifying for a youth group to go through together (guys doing the guys version and girls doing this one of course!!!!).


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Publishers. 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.”